Halitosis:Bad Breath Caused by Tonsil Stones
Dr.K.O.Paulose FRCS DLO, Consultant ENT Surgeon, Jubilee Hospital, Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
Tonsillolith, also known as a tonsil stone, is a small, calcified stone that forms within pits in the tonsils. A tonsillolith contains foul smelling bacteria and can cause bad breath or halitosis. If you get the occasional tonsillolith, it should not cause you to worry. If you get it more often, however, it may be cause for concern and you must consult an ENT surgeon.
Your doctor can determine whether or not you will need to get your tonsils removed, which will ultimately stop tonsilloliths from forming if they are getting in the way of your daily life. A tonsillectomy is a relatively safe procedure, and getting them taken out is usually the easiest way of getting tonsilloliths to disappear.
