How to remove tonsil stones without gagging at home

Tonsil stones are pesky little creatures that dwell in your tonsils and make your life a living hell when you try to remove them. Removing them can make you gag and smell really foul due to the leftover food and bacteria. All they do is frustrate you when you try to get them out, but luckily, there are a few effective ways of getting rid of them without triggering the gag reflex and coughing and gagging out your whole existence.

Here you will find several methods of tonsil stone removal that will not make you gag and hate yourself in the process. Try some of them, as we are sure at least one of them will work for you and make tonsil stone removal much easier and definitely more pleasant if that’s possible.

Angled Toothbrush Approach

You probably tried to fish out a tonsil stone before with foreign objects such as toothbrushes or spoons, which, unfortunately, led to gagging and other unpleasant sensations. But, if you get a toothbrush which has longer and angled bristles, you can use the tips of those bristles to scratch the stones out. However, make sure you are doing this gently to avoid hurting your tonsils and irritating your throat.

Salt Water

Another option for tonsil stone removal is gargling your mouth with salt water. When you do this, you gently get rid of the debris which can build up in the tonsils over time and cause the appearance of tonsil stones. Another great benefit of salt water is that it will most likely ease other issues such as a sore throat, get rid of bacteria in the mouth, and temporarily increase the pH value of your mouth.

Best of all, this solution is quite easy to make as all of us already have all the ingredients in our kitchens. Simply mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and give it a quick stir to dissolve the salt. Then all you have to do is gargle the salt water, and you can do this two to three times a day for best results.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is used for wound cleaning, so it is no wonder that you can use it to kill the microorganisms in your throat as well. This natural germicide will create an environment in your mouth which is hostile to bacteria, getting rid of tonsil stones in the process. You can use it just as you would a normal mouthwash. To do it, mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide with a little bit of water and swirl it around your mouth like you would your regular mouthwash, and, of course, do not swallow it. You can repeat this several times a day.

There is an alternative way in which you can use hydrogen peroxide to get rid of tonsil stones. You can fill up a small spray bottle or an eye dropper and spray the solution on the tonsils. The beauty of this solution is that it will whiten your teeth as well so give it a try.

Flexing Your Throat

This method may sound unusual but bear with us. Flexing your throat can actually be quite an effective way of getting rid of your tonsil stones since your tonsils tense when you flex until they naturally push out the stones from the small crevices. Maybe you will need to practice this method a little bit before you get the hang of it, but once you master the flexing, you will never feel a gag reflex when removing the tonsil stones again. You can do this exactly as if you were trying to scratch your throat with the tongue.

Nasal Irrigators

Nasal irrigators can be found anywhere and everywhere, and, although they can get a bit pricey, you can still find cheaper versions at places such as Walmart. You can use a nasal irrigator to flush out the stones from their crypts in your tonsils and get rid of them once and for all (or at least until the new ones form). You can adjust these irrigators to low settings so you prevent the gagging feeling. An important note: do not use them on the highest setting as the pressure can lead to the tissue damage, and, of course, gagging.

Oral Irrigators

Oral irrigators are specifically designed to remove the debris from various parts of the mouth, and you can use them to flush out tonsil stones as well. They use pressured water to do this, and they were originally meant for the gums massage. If you want to avoid gagging, set the irrigator to the lowest setting and massage the tonsils around the tonsil stones. By doing this you will loosen the tonsil stones, which you can then suck out and flush the whole area.

Hard Swallowing

Another option is to swallow hard to loosen the tonsil stones naturally. To do this, simply raise your tongue to the roof of your mouth and tighten your throat as hard as you can. Then, just swallow hard a few times and you should have tonsil stones no more!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is famous for its numerous benefits to the overall health, and you can also use it to remove tonsil stones. Since vinegar is very acidic, it can actually dissolve the stones in your throat, acting as a natural astringent.

Take a cup of warm water and add to it one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. Mix well and gargle the solution for about two to three minutes. You can repeat the process up to three times a day for best results.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is rich in ascorbic acid that is very effective against bacteria, and it can also dissolve the tonsil stones by eating them away. It is a common kitchen ingredient, therefore very inexpensive, but nevertheless, quite effective.

Simply add five tablespoons of lemon juice and a pinch of iodized salt to a glass of warm water. Mix the ingredients and gargle for about two minutes. You can do this three to four times a day.

Classic Medications

This one requires no gagging at all, but it does take a professional help. You can treat tonsil stones with antibiotics which can be prescribed by your doctor. However, as all medications, antibiotics come with side effects as well, but if you just cannot deal with other methods, this one might help you. Antibiotics such as penicillin and erythromycin are commonly prescribed to patients with tonsil stones. Some doctors may even prescribe amoxicillin. You should bear in mind that antibiotics may not get rid of the underlying causes of tonsil stones, and never ever use them at your own hand – always seek a professional opinion before taking them.

Prevention

Probably the best thing you can do is to actually work on preventing the occurrence of tonsil stones. There are several things you should take into consideration which will also improve your overall health.

Regularly brush your teeth so that you can get rid of debris and bacteria trapped between your teeth. You should brush your teeth and your tongue at least twice a day, but of course, more is encouraged. Just make sure you use a gentle toothpaste and toothbrush to prevent the possible damage to your teeth.

Drink lots of water to keep the saliva flowing and to properly moisturize your whole mouth. Dry mouth makes a perfect environment for the thriving of the bacteria which can produce sulfur compounds, which, subsequently result in bad breath. Drinking a lot of water will increase the oxygen levels in your mouth, eliminating the bacteria in the process, and reducing mucus build up.

Cut out coffee and acidic foods to prevent the tonsil stones. Acidic foods create the perfect environment for the anaerobic bacteria which are the lead cause of tonsil stones. Acidic food and coffee reduce the pH balance in your mouth and lead to an acidic environment that promotes the growth of the bacteria.

Increase your intake of magnesium by taking supplements every day, as magnesium helps distribute the calcium through your body. Since calcium accumulation, combined with mucus and leftover food particles, can form into tonsil stones, you can help yourself by reducing this build up by taking some more magnesium.

Avoid sugary drinks like sodas because they can contribute to the formation of tonsil stones.

Stop smoking and avoid alcohol as cigarettes and alcoholic drinks can make your mouth dry, which is, as we know, as the perfect playground for the bacteria.

Stop consuming dairy products. Besides the overall lack of benefits for the human organism, dairy products can actually promote the accumulation of mucus and bacteria that can lead to tonsil stones. Instead, opt for almond milk, soy milk, hazelnut milk, or any other plant-based “dairy” product.

Stop eating before bed. This is an obvious one. Not only are you not doing any favors to your figure and stomach, you are also promoting the growth of bacteria and food particle build up.