While bad breath happens to the best of us, sometimes standard brushing and flossing just doesn’t cut it, and dentists that we spoke to said this could be a sign of something else, lurking in the back of your throat.
Dr. Ilon Choai, a New York City-based dentist and founder of oral care brand Biöm, said that tonsil stones, which are small calcifications that form when debris like food particles, dead cells, and bacteria get trapped in the grooves of the tonsils, are “a well-documented source of bad breath.”
“Bacteria and sulfur-producing compounds that accumulate in the stones cause a distinctly foul odor,” he said.
Choai said that if you notice breath that doesn’t improve with brushing or mouthwash, a persistent foreign-body sensation in the throat, or visible white stones in the mirror, then there’s a good chance you have tonsil stones. Red, inflamed, and irritated tonsils are another indicator, according to Choai.
Choai, along with several other dentists that we spoke to, assured us that manual at-home removal options exist, but very few people have the dexterity to remove them effectively, and even then, overcoming the gag reflex is another challenge.
“Your best bet against tonsil stones is improved oral hygiene, which most people can benefit from. A consultation with an ENT or dentist is always a good option if the problem persists,” he said.
See the products and tactics that Choai and others say may help you get rid of your tonsil stones, and thus, your chronic bad breath, for good.
The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
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A flexible metal tongue scraper that I own and love
Every dentist we spoke to recommended using a tongue scraper as a good prevention tool against tonsil stones. Arizona-based cosmetic dentist Dr. James Heaton said that “keeping the tongue and teeth clean minimizes bacterial buildup that can contribute to stones.”
These flexible tongue scrapers were previously recommended to us by an orthodontist as an effective tool for eliminating bad breath, and it’s a set that I’m also a proud owner of. With over 120,000 ratings on Amazon, the scrapers are made from medical-grade stainless steel, which is much easier to clean than plastic and won’t harbor bacteria. The ergonomic design is U-shaped and flexible, so you can cover the entire length and width of your tongue in one pass, or squeeze it smaller to target one specific area. They also come with two cases, so they are easy to store in your bathroom drawer or travel with.
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A gold-standard water flosser
“Gentle at-home methods include using a water flosser on a low setting, which can dislodge stones without damaging tissue,” Choai said.
As soon as we heard the words “water flosser,” we didn’t hesitate to feature this tried-and-true water flosser from Waterpik, which is a cordless and pared-down version of the brand’s larger countertop model. Despite its compact and travel-friendly size, this American Dental Association-approved product offers three different pressure settings for blasting grime from your teeth and promises to remove “up to 99.9 percent of plaque.” The brand also claims that the device is “up to 50 percent more effective than dental floss for improving gum health.” It comes with four different specialized tips for targeted and precision cleaning.
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An alcohol-free rinse that soothes tonsils and prevents stones
Every dentist suggested the use of alcohol-free mouthwashes because, according to Rajpals, gargles and mouthwashes lower bacterial growth, reduce inflammation, and loosen stones. Though our experts didn’t suggest one brand in particular, we did some research and found the Breath MD Tonsil Rinse, an alcohol-free wash that claims to be dentist-developed and specially formulated to tackle bad breath and tonsil stones at their root by supporting tonsil health. This mint-flavored and natural rinse also promises to soothe irritated tonsils.
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An oral mouth rinse that prevents dry mouth
“One underappreciated factor is nasal breathing. Mouth-breathing dries out the tonsils and reduces saliva’s natural cleansing effect, which makes stone formation more likely,” Choai said. “Training yourself to nasal-breathe can dramatically cut down on their recurrence.”
If nasal breathing is a challenge for you, then you may benefit from an oral rinse, specifically one formulated to stave off mouth dryness. This one by Biotène has been recommended to us by dentists several times in the past because it contains glycerol, a mouth moisturizer that quickly soothes and lubricates the mouth for up to four hours. The brand also claims this formula works to help maintain a balanced pH in the mouth.
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An affordable electric toothbrush with 126,000+ ratings
As Heaton and others mentioned earlier, maintaining general oral cleanliness will help prevent the formation of tonsil stones, including brushing. If you’re in the market for a new electric toothbrush that won’t break the bank, might we suggest this highly rated option from Amazon? With a motor that produces 40,000 vibrations a minute, this sleek electric toothbrush by AquaSonic can provide complete oral care from gum care to tooth whitening and polishing. This toothbrush has four cleaning modes, including a gum massage function to improve circulation, and smart notification timers to help you avoid over-brushing. This set also comes with eight replacement brush heads to last you up to two years, as well as a travel case and charging base.
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Chewable oral probiotics for a healthy microbiome
According to Choai, poor oral microbiome health can increase the risk of tonsil stones, which led us to find these chewable dental probiotics that contain a blend of seven different strains to defend against certain bad bacteria known to cause bad breath, cavities and more. They come in either mint or strawberry vanilla flavor.
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An electric tonsil stone remover with suction
Dr. Anjali Rajpal, a cosmetic dentist at Beverly Hills Dental Arts, told HuffPost via email that, even though manual removal tools like scoops or picks exist to physically dislodge stones, kits with LED lights or suction devices tend to make removal safer and more effective. (As always, consult with a medical professional before using this device.)
Using this information, we selected this 4.7 out of 5-star tonsil-removing tool, which uses six adjustable levels of suction to secure and remove stones, without causing excessive damage or irritation to the surrounding tissue. Each component from this tool, like the assorted nozzels, is made from BPA-free and food-grade materials, and at the head of the device is a high-powered LED light to make it easier to spot the stones.
“I recommend caution; trauma to the tonsil can worsen inflammation and make the problem more frequent,” Choai noted.
