Tonsil Stones, or tonsillolith as it is referred to in the medical industry, affects tens of thousands of people in the United States.
Most of the cases are found in adults.
So the questions is, what are tonsil stones and how can you get rid of them? Well first of all tonsil stones are a calcium buildup that is lodged in the back of the throat on or around your tonsils.
They are shaped like little sphere-like stones (hence the name) and are usually white in color.
They aren't particularly harmful, but they sure can be a nuisance.
One of the main symptoms of tonsil stones is a bad taste in the back of your mouth.
This can often lead to bad breath and even halitosis.
In fact many people live with bad breath thinking that is genetic or a result of their diet, when in fact it can often be cured by treating the tonsillolith.
So if you're like most people that suffer from tonsil stones, you want to know what to do to get rid of them.
Well the good news is that they are very treatable and may or may not require a trip to the doctor.
Some things you can do for at home treatment:

• Drinking carbonated beverages over a period of time can dissolve the calcium buildups.
  I recommend seltzer water.
  
• Gently use your toothbrush and brush over the tonsil area.
  This can dislodge some of the stones that are at the surface.
  
• Use specially designed picks or even cotton swabs to work around the tonsils and remove the stones.
  
• If you are experiencing discomfort, try gargling salt water as this can alleviate some of that pain.
  
• Sometimes, no treatment at all is required.
  

When to see a doctor:

• You fear you might have an infection.
  
• The feeling has moved from slight discomfort to pain.
  
• You've had a soar throat for more than a few days.
  
• You are having trouble swallowing.
  

Generally speaking, tonsil stones are harmless and do not require medical attention.
If they do become infected or any of the other more extreme symptoms listed above are present, a doctor will generally prescribe antibiotics as a treatment.
I severe cases a surgery may be performed to remove the troublesome stones.