3 replies to this topic

[catfish]

I've heard these called "tonsil lithes" which basically means tonsil stones. Apparently some people get them from time to time and others don't. My understanding is as follows; it has to do with the shape and condition of your tonsils- some people have small, smooth tonsils and other people have very large or deeply scarred/wrinkled tonsils- mine are large and scarred. All that surface area provides places for various types of bacteria to grow, and this is what causes these lithes to form. As far as I know they don't actually cause any physical harm. Frequent gargling with antiseptic mouthwash reduces the formation of these lithes. They also occur more if you have an infection, such as the kind that can create increased sinus drainage.

[3boyzmom]

Did a search on google for these... first looking at salivary stones... salivary stones is not what you are describing. What you are describing is called:

Tonsiloliths (tonsil stones)


People with chronic sinusitis and post nasal drip may develop tonsiloliths, or tiny, white, foul smelling stones which lodge in the tonsilar crypts.  Tonsiloliths sometimes give the feeling of something lodged in the throat. They can also contribute to bad breath.   Some people have chronic problems with tonsiloliths.  The only sure treatment for chronic tonsiloliths is removal of the tonsils.  The operation is performed by an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT) and is fairly simple and safe.  As noted above, in adults the operation causes a very serious sore throat for two weeks post-op.  Short of removing the tonsils, the bad breath can be treated with mouth rinses, and the condition itself may be lessened by gargling with Peridex® mouth wash which is available by prescription from your dentist or physician, and possibly by the use of decongestants to lessen the post nasal drip which is part of the cause of tonsiloliths. 

If you do a google search with tonsil stones, you'll get a number of bad breath places... as well as some other links.

One said they are more prevalent during adolesance... I guess it depends on if you have "craters" in your tonsils. I have "craters" due to numerous tonisilitis infections as a kid... I used to get those little stones too... didn't know what they were until now!

[gf4life]

My husband had these and after 5 years of pestering him about his breath (it got so bad I couldn't sleep in the same room with him!) he had his tonsils removed. It is fine now. My 5 year old daughter has the same problem and is having her tonsils out next month (hopefully. keep your fingers crossed, since her allergies keep interfering with the surgery date!). Hers is nowhere near as bad as my husbands, but it is so much easier on her to get them out when she is little than to wait until she is older. It was horrible for my husband to get his out in his mid-30's.

I don't know that it is related to celiac disease, but our family ENT said it certainly seems genetic since this problem tends to run in families.

God bless,
Mariann