How long do tonsil stones last? And other questions...

Most mild cases of tonsil stones go unnoticed. However, some can make it feel like you constantly have to swallow or cause nasty bad breath. These tonsil stones can be a major inconvenience and you may want to consider treatment options by having a consultation with your dentist. Read on to learn more about tonsil stones. 

How long do tonsil stones typically last? 

Tonsil stones may last several days to a few years, however they usually clear up on their own within 3 weeks. Larger stones can remain for years if not surgically removed by a doctor. 

What are tonsil stones? 

Tonsil stones are white or yellowish calcifications that develop on the tonsils. Tonsil stones build up in the crypts (crevices) of your tonsils. They can be as small as a grain of rice or as big as a grape. In general, tonsil stones are thought to mainly be caused by an imbalance of the microbiome in your mouth, but there are also genetics factors that are thought to play a role.

How are tonsil stones diagnosed? 

Typically they are suspected by a physical examination by your dentist or doctor. Your doctor can often see the white or yellow stones formed on your tonsils, which is a dead giveaway that tonsil stones are to blame.

However, If you have very deep tonsillar crypts, your healthcare provider may need to prescribe imaging like a CT scan or MRI to locate and confirm the stones. You are then likely to be referred to an oral surgeon, or an ear, nose, and throat doctor (if severe) for treatment options. 

Are tonsil stones common? 

Somewhat about 5-6 percent of adults develop tonsil stones in their lifetimes. Certain factors increase the likelihood of developing tonsil stones. You are more likely to develop tonsil stones if you are male, over 40 years old, have frequent tonsil or sinus infections, are white or Hispanic, or have poor oral hygiene. 

Schedule a consultation at Clove Dental today at clovedds.com or call your preferred office location. 

We pride ourselves on having state-of-the-art equipment in our offices at Riverpark in Oxnard, A Street in Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, and Beverly Hills and offering you the best standard of care with our dream team practices in Ventura County and Los Angeles County. We offer routine care and emergency same-day care, oral surgery, and many other services including teeth whitening and Invisalign. 

Our Locations and numbers are: 

Oxnard Riverpark: 1000 Town Center Dr, Suite 250, Oxnard, CA 93036 805-983-7674   

Central Oxnard: 140 North A Street, Oxnard CA 93030 805-483-9537     

Thousand Oaks: 509 Marin Street, Suite 220, Thousand Oaks CA 91360 805-374-8484

Camarillo: 2107 Pickwick Drive, Camarillo CA 93010 805-819-2043

Beverly Hills: 9001 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 303, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-273-0726

Ventura: 3555 Loma Vista Rd Suite 217, Ventura, CA 93003 805-643-4184