Tonsils: Everything you Never Knew About your Throat’s First Line of Defense

Tonsils: Everything you Never Knew About your Throat's First Line of Defense

Overview

Tonsils: A tiny part of your immune system that can have a significant impact on your oral health

While hard to see and often a forgotten part of the anatomy, your tonsils are essential to your immune system. Please review our guide to everything you need to know about keeping your throat’s first line of defense healthy.

What are Tonsils?

When your tonsils are healthy, you probably never think about them. Just because they are often overlooked does not mean they do not serve an essential purpose. They act as part of your immune system.  

You actually have three sets of tonsils in your mouth:  the pharyngeal tonsils, commonly known as adenoids, the palatine tonsils and the lingual tonsils.

Usually, when people refer to tonsils, though, they are generating about the palatine tonsils. These are the oval-shaped mounds that reside on either side of the back of your throat.

The tissue that makes up your tonsil is called lymphoid tissue. Lymphoid tissue contains cells that fight off disease.

The lingual tonsils are issued on the base of your tongue, the pharyngeal tonsils are located at the back of your nasal cavity, and the palatine tonsils are at the back of your throat. These tonsils act as a net to trap germs and debris that enter your mouth and prevent them from going down your throat.

To perform their function well, these tonsils may change shape by swelling with blood to trap germs.

Tonsil Stones

Unfortunately, your tonsils’ nets’ can sometimes clog with ‘tonsil stones’ or tonsilloliths. Your tonsils have crypts that trap the bacteria and debris from entering your throat. Occasionally, waste, food particles, and mucus can clog and form a small mass.

Often these stones will be ejected naturally from the tonsil through everyday eating and drinking and will slip down the throat undetected. In other cases, the stones may become caught or form deep in the crevices of the tonsil. They are sometimes only detectable on an X-ray.

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What do Tonsil Stones Look Like?

These stones can take on a ‘cheesy’ texture and attract bacteria. This can cause bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth. In other cases, the stones may calcify from the minerals in the saliva and become stiff and uncomfortable.

Most tonsil stones are hard to see as they are often buried in the crypts of your tonsils in the back of your throat. Some people may notice them on their toothbrushes after brushing. They are usually white, yellow, or grayish and about the size of the eraser at the end of a pencil.

While rare, they can grow larger. The largest tonsil stone ever recorded was more than 14 cm when removed. It is important to note that this was in 1936, when oral care was much more primitive than it is today.

Signs and Symptoms of Tonsil Stones

Often, tonsil stones produce no symptoms. They do not require any treatment and can even be unnoticed by the person affected. In other cases, they can have uncomfortable symptoms.

  • A sore throat
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • The sensation that something is caught in your throat
  • Pain in your ear (due to sharing nerve pathways between the ear and the throat)
  • Swelling in the tonsils

Many oral issues produce many of the same symptoms. Speaking with a healthcare professional is the best way to determine if your symptoms are linked to tonsil stones or another oral issue, such as a viral or bacterial throat infection, tonsillitis, or even tonsil cancer.

Risk Factors for Tonsil Stones

Many cases of tonsil stones may go unnoticed since they are often asymptomatic. Large recurrent stones are often linked to repeated cases of tonsillitis or inflammation of the tonsils. Many believe that tonsil stones are related to larger tonsils’ prevalence of chronic sinus issues (since mucus is often present in the tonsil crypt) and poor dental hygiene.

Treatment of Tonsil Stones

Many cases of tonsil stones don’t require any medical intervention. That is because many people have stones and don’t know or aren’t bothered by their occasional appearance.

One of the most common complaints among sufferers is the prevalence of bad breath. This is because bacteria can be attracted to the stones once they form and grow, causing an unpleasant smell.

You can speak to your healthcare professional about the best treatment for your tonsil stones. Some dentists may recommend home remedies such as:

  • Gargling with salt water or non-alcohol mouthwash to encourage the stones to become dislodged
  • Use a Waterpik to cleanse the area of any debris
  • Use a cotton swab or tonsil stone tool to remove the stones

Sometimes, your doctor or dentist may extract the stones using a local anesthetic or numbing agent.

There is another option available that is more invasive but produces less risk than tonsillectomy called coblation tonsil cryptolysis. This procedure reshapes the tonsils and reduces the number of crevices in which the stones can grow. This is done using a local anesthetic laser resurfacing.

While it carries less risk than a tonsillectomy, it is not a guaranteed cure, and tonsil stones may grow back again.

Learn more about tonsil stones here.

Tonsillectomy

While once a standard procedure, tonsillectomies have been declining in recent years. With more adults with tonsils intact, the opportunity for tonsil stones is also on the rise. While a ‘cure’ for tonsil stones, it is often viewed as a last resort.

Part of the decline in removing the tonsils is that the risks of performing a tonsillectomy often outweigh the benefits.

While it is considered a generally safe procedure, it can produce risks.

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Swelling-related breathing difficulties
  • Life-threatening reactions to anesthesia (this is rare)

Prevention of Tonsil Stones

In some cases where the tonsil stones are associated with recurrent tonsillitis (the inflammation of the tonsils), the only possible proper prevention of tonsil stones is a tonsillectomy.

For others, prevention is possible with good oral hygiene. Regular flossing, brushing, gargling, or using a Waterpik is enough to keep the tonsils from debris.

Tonsillitis

While the tonsils work hard to filter out viruses and bacteria, they cannot always protect themselves against infection. Like the throat, the tonsils can be susceptible to viral and bacterial infections.

Often a sore throat is the first indication that you have contracted a viral infection such as a cold or flu (influenza). A viral illness, whether it affects the throat, tonsils, or both, does not usually require a trip to the doctor’s office for antibiotics.

Lingual Tonsillitis

It’s not only the palatine tonsils that are susceptible to tonsillitis. Even after the palatine tonsils are removed with a tonsillectomy, lingual tonsillitis can still occur.

Lingual tonsillitis happens when the lingual tonsils become inflamed due to an infection. They will often swell in size. The lingual tonsils are located at the back of the tongue. This type of tonsillitis can produce a cough, pain in the throat, and even airway obstruction.

This type of tonsillitis can occur due to debris caught in the tonsils, causing an abscess. This abscess can lead to airway obstruction.

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What Causes Tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis occurs when your tonsils also become infected and inflamed. When examining the mouth, a doctor may notice that your tonsils have become swollen, red, or have white dots on them.

Tonsillitis can occur by many different viruses and bacteria. One common type of bacteria not often associated with tonsillitis is staphylococcal bacteria (the type of bacteria that causes staph infections).

This type of bacteria lives in 20 to 30 percent of healthy people. You can be a constant carrier of the bacteria, an intermittent carrier, or it may never reside in or on your body. This bacteria becomes harmful when it can enter the body. Staph bacteria creates an abscess under the skin’s surface. When found in the mouth, they will often form on the tonsil. These abscesses often fill with pus and then burst, further spreading the infection.

Related: Is Tonsillitis Contagious

What is the Difference Between Strep Throat and Tonsillitis?

The streptococcus bacteria (the bacteria that causes strep throat) can also cause tonsillitis. Strep throat refers to the inflammation of the throat due to this bacterial infection, and tonsillitis refers to the inflammation of the tonsils due to this infection. You can have either inflammation or both at the same time.

While strep throat can only occur due to streptococcus, tonsillitis can occur by several different viruses or bacteria, including:

  • Epstein-Barr virus (mononucleosis)
  • herpes simplex virus
  • influenza virus
  • parainfluenza virus
  • adenovirus
  • enterovirus
  • cytomegalovirus,
  • measles virus

Signs and Symptoms of (Palatine) Tonsillitis

Palatine tonsillitis can affect anyone with intact tonsils but is most commonly seen in children between the ages of five and 15. Common signs and symptoms of  this type of tonsillitis include:

  • Tonsils that appear red and swollen
  • Tonsils may appear to have a white or yellow coating, dots, or patches
  • Sore throat
  • Difficult or painful swallowing
  • Fever
  • Your voice may sound hoarse, scratchy, or muffled
  • The glands in your neck may be tender or swollen
  • Headache
  • Stiff neck
  • Bad breath
  • Stomachache, particularly in younger children

If your child is non-verbal, look for the following cues:

  • Refusal to eat
  • Drooling due to difficult or painful swallowing
  • Unusual fussiness

Are you worried your sore throat could be more serious? Learn more about tonsil cancer. 

Diagnosing Tonsillitis

The diagnosis of tonsillitis is very similar to strep throat.

Your healthcare provider will examine your throat to look not only for signs of infection and inflammation but also to determine if your tonsillitis requires antibiotics. Your tonsillitis will only require antibiotics if it is caused by a bacterial infection rather than a viral one.

They will do this by:

  • Examining your throat for signs of inflammation or infection
  • Take your temperature to determine if you have a fever
  • Checking the glands in your neck and jaw for possible swelling

They may also take a throat swab to check for signs of strep. A quick strep test can often report results quickly. A negative result may require further lab examination to determine what organism is causing the symptoms.

Treatment of  Viral Tonsillitis

Most cases of viral tonsillitis are treated the same way we approach a cold or flu virus. While antibiotics are not required for viral infections, there are many ways to encourage healing and manage the symptoms, such as: naturally.

  • Drinking warm liquids to soothe the throat
  • Mild over-the-counter pain relievers (Aspirin is not suitable for those under 18)
  • Enjoy cold treats to numb the irritation, such as popsicles
  • Find relief by sucking on lozenges (for those four and older)
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration

Bacterial Tonsillitis

Bacterial tonsillitis requires antibiotics to fight the infection. Often with bacterial infections, the symptoms are much more uncomfortable but usually subside after about 24-48 hours of antibiotics. Despite this, it is essential to finish your entire round of medicine. White spots or pus on the tonsils, painful swallowing, or ulcers in the throat can indicate an infection, and penicillin, such as amoxicillin, helps treat the infection.

Preventing Tonsillitis

One of the best ways to prevent viral and bacterial infections is to practice good hygiene and self-care. Remember that many infections spread by touching your face. With that in mind, it is essential to:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often, especially before eating
  • Do not share drinks or personal items
  • Avoid touching your face with your hands, especially your eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Get plenty of rest
  • Take a multivitamin
  • Eat a diet rich in vegetables and fruits

When to Speak to a Doctor

If you suspect bacterial tonsillitis or throat infection, seeing a doctor for treatment is essential. Bacterial symptoms are often more severe and require medical evaluation.

Signs that you need to contact a doctor:

  • A sore throat that doesn’t go away within 24 to 48 hours
  • Painful or difficult swallowing
  • Extreme weakness, fatigue, or fussiness

Get immediate care if your child has any of these symptoms:

  • Difficulty breathing
  • Extreme difficulty swallowing
  • Drooling
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Is Tonsillitis Contagious?

Tonsillitis can spread within your tonsils as well as to those around you. Tonsillitis can spread through direct contact between a person suffering from infection and a healthy person. This is the case in many, many viral and bacterial infections.

 Respiratory droplets transmit into the air when a sick person coughs or sneezes.

  • Tonsillitis caused by a viral infection will be contagious for about 7-10 days.
  • Tonsillitis caused by a bacterial infection will likely stop being contagious after being on antibiotics for 24 hours. At this point, it is probably safe for the person to return to school or work.
  • If the bacterial infection prolongs, the individual could be contagious for up to two weeks.  

How to Prevent the Spread of Tonsillitis

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of viral or bacterial infections that cause tonsillitis is by avoiding public spaces and personal interactions when contagious. If you cannot stay home, practicing good personal hygiene and encouraging those around you to do the same can help.

Here are a few best practices:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water often
  • Do not share drinks or personal items
  • Use a tissue or your arm if you have to sneeze or cough
  • Avoid public places when your infection is contagious

Could your sore throat be a sign of an infection? Learn more about viral, bacterial, and staph throat infections. 

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