Do you often experience bad breath, trouble swallowing, a sore throat, or frequent coughing? You might be dealing with tonsil stones. These are small, smelly lumps made of calcium, collagen, bacteria, and mucus that form in the crevices of your tonsils. Tonsil stones develop because of the buildup of bacteria and debris that produce sulfur in the tonsil pockets at the back of your throat. Over time, this debris hardens and turns into stones.
Tonsil stones are quite common, and there are several natural ways to treat them. Different treatments work better for different people, so it’s important to find what suits you best.
Improve Your Oral Hygiene with Natural Products
Sometimes, tonsil stones can result from poor oral hygiene. However, this isn’t always the case. Still, it’s important to address this potential cause. Many modern toothpastes contain cheap or harmful ingredients that might irritate your throat and lead to tonsil stones.
If you suffer from tonsil stones, consider using natural toothpaste and mouthwash. Many products on the market today focus on natural ingredients and can enhance oral hygiene. Tea tree oil, known for its antiseptic properties, is a popular ingredient in many natural oral care products. Using toothpaste and mouthwash with tea tree oil can help improve throat and oral health. Alternatively, salt toothpaste or adding a bit of salt to your regular toothpaste can be beneficial. Gargling with warm salted water is another simple remedy.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a versatile natural remedy known for its various health benefits, including treating throat conditions like tonsil stones. Its fruit acid helps dissolve plaque and can remove tonsil stones. Just add two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar to warm water and gargle with the solution in the morning and evening and, if possible, during the day. It can also help if you frequently deal with tonsillitis or a mucus-covered tongue.
Probiotics and Yogurt
Probiotics and yogurt can boost overall health and strengthen the immune system. These foods are linked to a “positive throat culture,” increasing the amount of friendly bacteria in our mouths and throats to fight infections and harmful bacteria effectively.
Warm Lemon Juice
Warm lemon juice can help loosen tonsil stones. Lemons are rich in citric acid, which has strong antiseptic qualities and can break down tonsil stones and bacteria in the throat. Gargling with warm lemon juice for at least one minute and repeating can be effective. You can also drink it, depending on the location of your tonsil stones. Adding lemon juice to warm chamomile tea, which has gentle antiseptic properties, can also help soothe and treat throat conditions.
The Garlic Connection
Garlic is another natural remedy for tonsil stones. While chewing on garlic might not be socially ideal, ancient herbalists used to prepare garlic water for treatment. To make garlic water, combine 5 peeled cloves of garlic, 4 sprigs of peppermint, and about two cups of warm water. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then strain out the garlic and peppermint. Use the liquid to gargle several times throughout the day. This can also alleviate sore throats.
It’s important to find a treatment that works best for you.