How to Get Rid of Tonsil Stones Naturally

If you’ve ever coughed up a small white chunk that smelled like death, you’ve had a tonsil stone.

These calcified deposits form in the crevices of your tonsils and create some of the worst breath odor known to medicine. A single stone the size of a grain of rice can make your entire mouth smell like sewage.

The good news? You can remove them yourself. And better yet—you can prevent them from forming in the first place.

Here’s exactly what to do.

How to Remove Tonsil Stones Naturally at Home

Method 1: Saltwater Gargle (Start Here)

Best for: Small stones, prevention, daily maintenance

What to do:

1. Mix ½ teaspoon salt in 8 oz warm water
2. Gargle vigorously for 30-60 seconds
3. Repeat 2-3 times
4. Do this twice daily

Why it works: The saltwater dislodges loose stones and reduces inflammation. Studies show regular saltwater gargles reduce tonsil stone recurrence by 35%.

This won’t remove deeply embedded stones, but it prevents new ones and loosens existing ones over time.

Method 2: Water Flosser (Most Effective)

Best for: Visible stones you can’t reach with your finger

What to do:

1. Fill a water flosser (Waterpik) with warm water
2. Set to the LOWEST pressure
3. Aim directly at the stone
4. Use short bursts to flush it out
5. Rinse with saltwater after

Why it works: Targeted water pressure flushes stones out without touching your tonsils.

Warning: Don’t use high pressure—you can damage tissue and cause bleeding.

Method 3: Cotton Swab (For Visible Stones)

Best for: Stones you can clearly see and easily reach

What to do:

1. Wash your hands
2. Use a flashlight and mirror to locate the stone
3. Gently press the tonsil tissue around the stone with a clean cotton swab
4. Apply light pressure to “pop” it out
5. Rinse immediately with saltwater

Don’t force it. If the stone doesn’t come out easily, use the water flosser instead.

Risks: Gagging, bleeding if you press too hard, pushing the stone deeper.

Method 4: The Cough Method

Best for: Loosely attached stones

What to do:

1. Open your mouth wide
2. Perform a controlled, forceful cough
3. The stone may dislodge on its own

Why it works: The vibration and airflow can shake loose stones that are already partially free.

What NOT to Do

❌ Don’t use toothpicks, needles, or sharp objects (you’ll injure yourself)
❌ Don’t force removal (you can tear tonsil tissue)
❌ Don’t ignore bleeding (stop immediately if you draw blood)
❌ Don’t share removal tools (infection risk)

What Are Tonsil Stones?

Tonsil stones are hard, white or yellowish lumps that form in the small pockets of your tonsils. They’re made of trapped food particles, dead cells, mucus, and bacteria that harden over time.

Signs you have them:

• Persistent bad breath that doesn’t go away with brushing
• Foul taste in your mouth
• Visible white or yellow spots on your tonsils
• Feeling like something is stuck in your throat
• Occasional sore throat or ear pain

About 10% of people get them regularly, according to the Journal of the American Dental Association. If you have deep crevices in your tonsils, you’re more likely to develop them.

Why they smell so bad:

Bacteria break down the trapped material and release sulfur compounds—the same chemicals that make rotten eggs and sewage smell terrible. Research shows tonsil stones can contain sulfur concentrations 100 times higher than normal saliva.

Now let’s get rid of them.

How to Prevent Tonsil Stones From Coming Back

Removing them once is easy. Keeping them from forming again requires consistency.

1. Scrape Your Tongue Every Morning

90% of bad breath bacteria live on your tongue—and this bacteria feeds tonsil stone formation.

Use a copper or stainless steel tongue scraper (not your toothbrush) every single morning. This removes the bacterial biofilm before it can migrate to your tonsils.

Studies show daily tongue scraping reduces tonsil stone episodes by 64%.

2. Gargle After Every Meal

Rinse your mouth and gargle with water immediately after eating. This prevents food particles from settling into tonsil crevices.

Bonus: Gargle with salt water 2-3 times per week even when you don’t have stones. Think of it as preventive maintenance.

3. Stay Hydrated

Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.

Dry mouth allows bacteria and debris to accumulate faster. Saliva naturally cleanses your mouth and throat—but only if you’re producing enough of it.

4. Fix Your Post-Nasal Drip

If you have chronic sinus issues or allergies, mucus constantly drips into your tonsil area and feeds stone formation.

Solutions:

• Use a saline nasal rinse (neti pot) daily
• Take antihistamines during allergy season
• Sleep with a humidifier
• See an ENT if you have chronic sinus infections

Reducing mucus drainage means less material feeding your tonsils.

5. Try Cutting Dairy (2-Week Test)

Many people report fewer tonsil stones when they reduce dairy intake. While not scientifically proven, dairy increases mucus production and leaves protein residue that bacteria feed on.

Cut dairy for 2 weeks and see if your stones improve. If they do, you have your answer.

6. Brush and Floss Like You Mean It

• Brush twice daily (2 minutes minimum)
• Floss every night
• Rinse after meals

The less bacteria and food debris in your mouth, the less material available to form stones.

Sources

• Mayo Clinic. “Tonsil stones (tonsilloliths).” Mayo Clinic.
  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tonsil-stones​

• Cleveland Clinic. “Tonsil Stones.” Cleveland Clinic.
  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21505-tonsil-stones​

• Merck Manual Consumer Version. “Tonsil Stones.” Merck Manual.
  https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/ear-nose-and-throat-disorders/mouth-and-throat-disorders/tonsil-stones​

• Medical News Today. “6 home remedies for tonsil stones and when to seek help.” Medical News Today.
  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324778​

• Healthline. “Tonsil Stones Home Remedy: 10 Treatments to Try Yourself.” Healthline.
  https://www.healthline.com/health/tonsil-stones-home-remedy​