A case of tonsil stones like this may be severe enough to require a tonsillectomy.Ĭheck out these quick-lists on when you should and shouldn’t consider a tonsillectomy: The bad breath caused by tonsil stones can sometimes become too much for a person to bear on a daily basis. Other people may have copious amounts of tonsil stones at a time causing them to have chronic bad breath. A doctor will likely agree that a tonsillectomy is necessary to avoid complications with swallowing and/or tonsil infection and pain. In such a case tonsil stones may become so big that they hinder a person’s ability to swallow, swell up the tonsils, tear through the tonsil crypts and even cause the tonsils to bleed. This means that the tonsil stones can continue to accumulate bacteria, food particles and debris, causing them to become bigger and bigger over time. Some people are unable to remove their tonsil stones due to having a sensitive gag reflex. However, there are some cases in which a doctor would agree that a tonsillectomy is a viable solution for tonsil stones. Because of this, doctors are quite hesitant to perform the surgical procedure for a such a “harmless” problem. Though they may be gross and annoying to deal with, tonsil stones are actually harmless to human health. Tonsil stones are rarely severe enough to require a tonsillectomy so it’s typically recommended to treat them at home. If you get a tonsillectomy, you can rest assured that you will not have to deal with tonsil stones or any of their side effects again.ĭoctors Hesitate To Recommend Tonsillectomies For Tonsil Stones… Without tonsils, the tonsil stones will have nowhere to form. Getting a tonsillectomy is a surefire way of getting rid of tonsil stones for good. Children tend experience less pain and a quicker recovery from the surgery in comparison to adults. This is due to how difficult the recovery process becomes with age. Tonsillectomies are typically reserved for children and advised against for adults unless medically necessary. The procedure is done under general anesthesia and is performed within 30 minutes to an hour. In this case, the tonsils may be removed.Ī tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed using a scalpel. Chronic issues such as repeated tonsillitis, severe tonsil stones and/or consistent swollen tonsils may become too much of a burden. The accumulation of bacteria and debris is what results in tonsil stones.ĭespite their intended purpose of fighting off infections, the tonsils sometimes cause more harm than good.
These crypts are able to trap bacteria, food particles, mucus and other debris.
Tonsils are naturally covered with small pockets and flaps called tonsil crypts. The tonsils are a part of the immune system and are designed to help fight off infection. The tonsils are a pair of fleshy, soft tissue masses that are located in the back of the throat ( WebMD). However, tonsillectomies are generally reserved for severe tonsil stone cases. Tonsil stones will no longer be able to form without tonsils. A tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure in which the tonsils are removed. So, can you get a tonsillectomy for tonsil stones? Yes, you can get a tonsillectomy to permanently get rid of tonsil stones. Tonsil stones may be tiny little things, but they pack a big, nasty punch! Sometimes they can become such a burden that a tonsil stone sufferer will consider removing their tonsils completely just to get rid of them…