{"id":2096,"date":"2020-04-07T18:15:56","date_gmt":"2020-04-07T22:15:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.entofathens.com\/?p=2096"},"modified":"2022-07-29T17:11:15","modified_gmt":"2022-07-29T21:11:15","slug":"what-are-tonsil-stones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.entofathens.com\/what-are-tonsil-stones\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Tonsil Stones?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Affecting eight\npercent of adults, tonsil stones occur when dead skin cells, bacteria and food\nbecome trapped in the small crevice on the surface of the tonsils. Eventually,\nthe debris gets pushed together and forms hard balls known as tonsil stones.\nUnderstanding the signs and symptoms of this condition can help ensure you seek\ntreatment in a timely manner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Your Tonsils<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Tonsils<\/a> are the soft masses of tissues that sit at the back of the throat<\/a>. They are made up of tissue and covered in pink mucosa<\/a> (the same membrane that lines your mouth). Crevices, known as crypts, run through the mucosa of each tonsil. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your tonsils are an important part of your immune system, as they help filter out germs and trap bacteria to prevent it from entering the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking Down Tonsil Stones <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Food and mucus\ncan become trapped in the crypts of the tonsils. If they get stuck, bacteria\ncan begin to grow. Over time, trapped debris can harden and form calcifications\nknown as tonsil stones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These hard calcifications are typically white or light yellow in color. Most of the time they form too deep in the tonsil tissue<\/a> to be seen with a mirror. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While many with\ntonsil stones exhibit no symptoms, there are an unlucky few who can experience:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n