Can better oral hygiene get rid of tonsil stones?

You've spotted a small white or yellow lump in your throat and maybe even tried pressing at it with a cotton swab to get it out. But a tonsil stone that's already formed won't budge that easily, and poking at it can irritate the delicate tissue around it. It's stuck in a pocket in your tonsil that's better left alone unless your dental provider or ear, nose and throat doctor (ENT) is guiding the process.

What you will learn in this article: 

• Tonsil stones are hardened material trapped in small pockets in the tonsils. 

• Brushing and flossing protect your teeth and gums but cannot reach an existing stone. 

• Mouth rinses and gargles may help with bad breath but do not dissolve a stone. 

• A dental provider can check your teeth and gums, while a doctor or ENT can assess ongoing tonsil stones. 

If tonsil stones keep coming back, schedule an appointment with an Aspen Dental provider. Your care team can check your teeth and gums and explain when a doctor or an ENT should examine your tonsils. 

What are tonsil stones? 

Tonsil stones, also called tonsilloliths, are white or yellow lumps that form in deep pockets on the tonsils. A review in American Family Physician explains that they are hardened collections of food, dead cells and germs. Small stones are common, while large stones are rare.¹ 

Why do tonsil stones form? 

Tonsil stones form when food, dead cells and germs collect in deep tonsil pockets and harden. The exact process is not fully understood. Repeated tonsillitis may play a role, but poor oral hygiene is not the only possible reason. Even people who clean their teeth well may continue to get stones. 

Can brushing and flossing remove tonsil stones? 

Brushing and flossing cannot reach a stone inside a tonsil pocket. They clean your teeth, gums and the spaces between your teeth—not the deeper pockets at the back of your throat. They will not remove a stone that has already formed. 

They are still important for your oral health. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research recommends brushing twice a day and cleaning between your teeth regularly to remove plaque and food particles.² This protects your teeth and gums and may leave less loose debris in your mouth, but it is not a proven cure for tonsil stones. 

Can mouthwash get rid of tonsil stones? 

Once a stone has hardened, mouthwash has no way to break it apart or pull it free. A warm saltwater gargle may help with bad breath linked to tonsil stones, but it is not a stone-removal treatment.¹ 

If a stone is painful, keeps returning or will not pass, ask a doctor or ENT to examine it. 

Do plaque and gum disease cause tonsil stones? 

Plaque and gum disease affect your teeth and gums. Tonsil stones form in pockets in your tonsils. Good oral care helps keep your mouth healthy, but the cited guidance does not say that plaque or gum disease directly causes or worsens tonsil stones. 

Plaque can still lead to cavities and gum disease. Once plaque hardens into tartar, it must be removed by a dental provider or dental hygienist.² If you have bleeding or swollen gums or bad breath that does not improve, schedule a dental visit. Treating gum problems protects your mouth, but it does not remove a tonsil stone. 

When should you see a dental provider versus a doctor? 

See a dental provider if you have bleeding or swollen gums, tooth pain, tartar or bad breath that does not improve. A dental provider can look for plaque, cavities, gum disease and other problems in your mouth. 

See a doctor or ENT if a tonsil stone keeps returning, is large, causes pain or trouble swallowing or will not pass. Rarely, a large stone may need clinical removal.¹ Do not try to cut or dig out a stone yourself. 

Are tonsil stones contagious or a sign of something else? 

A tonsil stone itself is not contagious. It is hardened material in a tonsil pocket, not an infection that spreads from person to person. However, a white or yellow spot on a tonsil can sometimes be something else, such as tonsillitis. 

See a doctor if you also have a fever, strong throat pain, red or swollen tonsils or trouble swallowing. See your local dental provider if ongoing bad breath comes with bleeding gums or tooth problems. 

Can better oral hygiene get rid of tonsil stones? FAQs 

Still have questions about tonsil stones? These answers cover a few common concerns. 

Can tonsil stones go away on their own? 

Small stones may loosen and pass on their own. A stone that is large, painful or does not pass should be checked by a doctor or ENT. 

Can mouthwash alone prevent tonsil stones? 

No. A rinse or gargle may help with bad breath and loose debris, but it does not replace brushing and flossing or guarantee that new stones will not form. 

Is it safe to remove a tonsil stone yourself? 

Poking or pressing at a stone can sometimes bring a loose one out, but it's easy to press too hard or use something sharp, which can tear the tissue and cause bleeding. A gentle warm saltwater gargle is a safer first try. If the area hurts or bleeds, or the stone won't pass, stop and ask a doctor or ENT for help. 

What if a child has a white or yellow spot on a tonsil? 

Do not assume the spot is a tonsil stone. Tonsillitis and other throat problems can look similar. Ask your child’s doctor to check it, especially if your child has a fever, throat pain or trouble swallowing. 

Sources 

¹ American Academy of Family Physicians, American Family Physician: "Tonsillitis and Tonsilloliths: Diagnosis and Management." https://www.aafp.org/afp/2023/0100/tonsillitis-tonsilloliths 

² National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: “Oral Hygiene.” https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/oral-hygiene