Causes and Ways to Get Rid of White Spots on Tonsils

Spots on Tonsils

These small spots usually occur in the tonsil’s crevasses or deep fissures.
These spots have several names which include tonsilloliths, calculus of the tonsils, but is more commonly referred to as tonsil stones.
The size of these spots can range from tiny pimple-like spots to large pea-like sizes.
Tonsil stones usually stay in the tonsils for weeks.
Patients that have this condition commonly have bad breaths because of the foul smell brought about by the spots. They can also feel the stones or spots at the back of their throats.
Other symptoms that are associated with these spots on the tonsils or tonsil stones include sore throat, difficulties in swallowing, lingering bad taste, swollen tonsils, pain or itchiness in the ears.

What Causes White Spots on Tonsils

The tonsils are filled with pockets or nooks that can be good places for bacteria to thrive in. There are also other substances like mucus and dead cells that can be trapped in these pockets. When all of these happen, concentration of the different substances can lead to the formation of tonsil stones.

This is after the substances harden and gets calcified.
Patients that usually are prone to tonsillitis have higher risks of developing tonsil stones.
Trapped food in the pockets of the tonsils can also lead to tonsil stone formation.
Patients that have hyperactive salivary glands are also prone to get these white spots.

Treatment options of tonsil stones greatly depend on the size of the stones or the spots and the level of discomfort it brings to the patient.

Tonsil stones that usually do not have symptoms like the small ones do not need any specialized treatment. It will go away in time.
There are ways wherein patients can manually remove the stones at home. This option should be carefully done and used with sterile materials like swabs and picks.
Salt Solutions. Salt mixed in warm water have great benefits in oral hygiene. It can also help in controlling the pain and discomforts that are associated with having tonsil stones.
Antibiotics. Oral antibiotic medications can treat tonsil stones, but this cannot treat its underlying cause. Patients should know some of the benefits and risks factors involved when taking antibiotics to treat tonsil stones.
Surgery. This treatment option should be done when the spots or stones in the tonsil turns alarmingly large, causes pain, and prevents patients from eating properly. Doctors will remove the stone by using incisions and numbing creams. There are also instances that would require the use of general anesthesia.