Metal Mouth Message Board

A couple of days ago I noticed a sensation on the back of my throat when I swallowed. I got a small flashlight and got in front of a mirror and noticed a white spot on one of my tonsils. At first I worried a little until I got on google and found out that it was called "Tonsillolith" or "tonsil stones" which develop from food particle, dead white blood cells or over-active saliva glands. Since I had my quad helix installed I have been producing alot more saliva than usual but really thought nothing of it. I picked the stones out with a tooth-pick (about 5 of them) and they all seem to be gone.

So the reason for posting was, has anyone else had this? And for anyone that this happens to don't panic they're not painful

Sure have. I used to get these as a kid. Occasionally would convince my mom to let me stay home from school...making her believe I was getting sick.

No pain, no problem. My son asked the doc about it once and I found out same as you. GROSS isn't it?

I get them all the time. My can become quite big if I don't pick them out right away. I have been to the throat specialist and he says that they are completley normal. Don't worry, you are not alone! But they sure are annoying and smell bad!

-KatieBug

Yes, I had them as well on one tonsil. Poor thing looked like a golf ball. Then I had my tonsils removed. But that was a long time ago and I was 12 and modern medicine provides better options. Good luck!

jennielee81 wrote:Sure have. I used to get these as a kid. Occasionally would convince my mom to let me stay home from school...making her believe I was getting sick.

No pain, no problem. My son asked the doc about it once and I found out same as you. GROSS isn't it?

Did they just stop appearing? I'm worried now that I've had them once I'll have them forever!

I don't notice them anymore if I do get them. I remember it happening a lot when I was around 18-20. After that not so much.

KatieBug wrote: But they sure are annoying and smell bad!

-KatieBug

OH gross...I shouldn't have read this thread, now I'm going to be all paranoid.

I'd never even heard of these things but after reading this I went and looked! Didn't have any though.

I have had them for a long time, and have actually considered having my tonsils removed so I could be rid of them. But I don't know if a doctor would take out my tonsils just because of those stones. I think you have to be sick a lot, and I am not.

If anyone knows how to get rid of them, please tell me!

Gargle, aggressively, with antiseptic mouthwash regularly.

My son's doc told him that helps to dislodge the food stuck in the tonsil AND disinfects anything that may be left. Maybe do this once or twice a week??

I have also read dabbing a cotton bud dipped in hydrogen peroxide onto the stones will dislodge them and help heal. Did anyone just start getting these when they had braces? I'm guessing the excess saliva is what caused them in my case

BenB wrote:I have also read dabbing a cotton bud dipped in hydrogen peroxide onto the stones will dislodge them and help heal. Did anyone just start getting these when they had braces? I'm guessing the excess saliva is what caused them in my case

naa, just pop them out with a toothpick. It's a piece of food stuck in your tonsil!! Not painful to get out this way and quite efficient.

The reason you are seeing them now, may be due the fact that you're paying more attention to your mouth? Or perhaps due to not chewing things as efficiently due to brackets or pain??

The first sign was when I was swallowing I could feel something stuck on my throat, I got a flashlight and had a look and then saw the white spot. Last night I got the toothpick and got at least 6-7 out, I'm going to the doctors tommorow to make sure I haven't got any left and pray that I don't get anymore.

is it common to get these more frequently after braces (especially during the time period when wearing your retainers) if so, what causes this if your diet and oral care hasn't changed much prior to braces? Thanks!

I get those. They feel almost like a cat hair stuck in my throat. Vile smelling little things. Throat cheese, gross.