The human immune system has several organs responsible for rejecting, fighting and eliminating antibodies that can cause infections in the body. One of them is the tonsils, those small masses of tissue that are at the bottom of the throat. The tonsils stop pathogens in the mouth, preventing them from entering the rest of the body.
Since tonsils help prevent countless diseases and are one of the body's first lines of defense, they are prone to becoming infected and inflamed. The appearance of tonsilloliths in the tonsils is very common and can cause everything from bad breath to serious infections. To prevent them from appearing, it is necessary to clean them regularly and take care of them. In, we tell you how to clean the tonsils and how to treat them if they become infected.
Why the tonsils need to be cleaned
The most common conditions of the tonsils are tonsillitis and the appearance of tonsilloliths, although there is usually widespread confusion between the two terms. Tonsilloliths are white pellets in the throat that accumulate because of mineral salts, while tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils caused, mostly, by the infection of a virus.
These white spots on the tonsils, also known as caseum, appear for various reasons. They can be due to poor oral hygiene (both in brushing the teeth and in washing the tongue) and a deficiency in the salivary glands. These stones cause several symptoms to take into account such as halitosis, discomfort when swallowing, pain in the ears and throat.
To avoid both problems, it is of utmost importance to clean the tonsils regularly and maintain a good diet. Here are some general tips to prevent both diseases:
- Taking care of your diet will also take care of your throat: do not abuse acidic products with a lot of fat.
- Visit the doctor immediately when you feel a slight discomfort in the tonsils: if you let a lot of time pass, the inflammation will increase and can lead to more serious ailments.
- Be very careful with the hygiene of the mouth, tongue and teeth: it is vital to eradicate the viruses and bacteria that usually enter the mouth.
If you want to know more about How to avoid having angina, we recommend you visit our article about it where we expand all our tips.
How to clean the tonsils to avoid bad breath
There are many ways to maintain good hygiene in the tonsils. There are several home remedies to clean the tonsils, prevent halitosis and prevent infections. Find out how to clean the tonsils naturally with some of the best options:
Rinse your mouth with salt water
Rinsing with salt water is a good treatment to keep the tonsils healthy. To do it correctly you just have to take into account the following:
- Mix some salt (a couple of tablespoons) with boiled water.
- Gargle morning, noon, and night to clean the tonsils.
- This will help you avoid infections and bad breath.
Rinse your mouth with apple cider vinegar
The acidity levels of apple cider vinegar help cleanse the glands and keep the bad smell away from your mouth. To use this natural remedy, just follow these steps:
- Mix half a glass of water with half a glass of apple cider vinegar
- Rinse your mouth thoroughly after eating and before brushing your teeth.
The link of tonsilloliths with bad breath has been the subject of study for researchers. A study published in the journal Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery [1] states that 3% of halitosis cases are due to stones in the tonsils. However, the publication highlights the need for further research in order to more accurately establish a scientifically proven relationship.
On the other hand, a report from the Journal of Surgical Case Reports [2] ensures that the magnitude of tonsilloliths must be taken into account to know how to treat them, since their symptoms can vary in severity. Depending on the size of these stones, home remedies can serve to eradicate them in mild cases. On the contrary, in more severe cases, it will be necessary to opt for a medical treatment prescribed by a specialist.
How to clean infected tonsils
If your effort to take care of your tonsils has suffered a setback and they have finally become infected, there are other remedies to clean them and, consequently, cure them. Swabs, antibiotics, and surgery are some of these solutions. However, it is very important that you visit your doctor before opting for any type of treatment, as infections are much more delicate to treat.
Clean the tonsils with swabs
If you want to know how to remove tonsilloliths, swabs are one of the most used methods. Some people use them to gently clean the tonsils. However, their use requires some medical training to avoid worsening the problem when using them. We recommend that you consult with a doctor before cleaning them on your own.
Antibiotic treatment
Tonsillitis requires antibiotics to immediately solve the difficulties that arise in swallowing food and liquids, but they should always be treatments under medical prescription. They usually have a maximum duration of 10 days.
If you want to clean tonsils with pus, keep in mind that it will be the doctor who will have to drain the pus accumulated in them. In addition, he will prescribe anti-inflammatories and antibiotics to treat the infection if there is one. You should not clean the pus with your hands or swabs, as it will continue to appear and could cause more serious injuries.
Surgery
Tonsillectomy is the most extreme treatment for infected tonsils. It is a procedure in which the tonsils are removed and performed before the null effectiveness of previous remedies and treatments to cure the infection.
Removing the tonsils is a delicate decision, as removing them results in the weakening of the immune system. For this reason, it should be the last solution and is reserved, above all, for cases of chronic tonsillitis or for very serious infections.
If you suffer from angina or tonsillitis, you can relieve pain and heal more quickly with these Home Remedies for Tonsillitis.
