Tips To Prevent Tonsil Infections

Posted on by Joyce Marshall

The tonsil are highly prone to infection primarily because it is their function to fight infection causing bacteria and viruses that enter the body through the mouth.

There are however a number of measures that can assist the tonsils in their function and prevent them from getting infected.

1. Gargle

Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in warm water and gargle with the solution for a few minutes at least twice a day. Alternatively use an antibacterial mouthwash or ask your pharmacist for a gargle that is safe to use on a daily basis.

This will help disinfect the tonsils and prevent an infection mainly from bacteria.

2. Oral Hygiene

A good oral hygiene routine can help eliminate and reduce bacteria in the mouth and better enable the tonsils to cope with combating these microorganisms.

Brush teeth and floss at least twice a day and visit the dentist at least every six months to a year. This will help prevent or eliminate periodontal diseases that could contribute to tonsil infections.

3. Suck A Lozenge

The moment a sore throat starts to appear, suck on a throat lozenge to help neutralize the bacteria or other cause of the inflammation or start of an infection. A sore throat often leads to a tonsil infection and vise versa.

4. Boost The Immune System

A strong, healthy immune system is better able to protect the body against bacteria and viruses as well as infection. Take a vitamin and mineral supplement to build a stronger immune system and eat a healthy, balanced diet.

5. Watch What You Eat

It is best to avoid allergens such as dairy, gluten and sugar which all contribute to the spread and growth of bacteria. This does not mean that these foods should be avoided altogether as they form an important part of a balanced, nutritious diet.

However, people who are prone to tonsil infections should limit their intake and ensure to brush, floss and gargle after consuming foods that contain allergens.

6. Wash Your Hands

General good hygiene, like washing your hands regularly during the day, will help eliminate bacteria and viruses and prevent them from entering the body.

Keep in mind that we use our hands to eat (even with utensils) which exposes the mouth and therefore the tonsils to all the bacteria and viruses that we have come in contact with throughout the day.

Prevention is always better than cure and stopping a tonsil infection before it starts is far easier than recovering from one.

    Natural Remedies For Tonsillitis That Can Work Wonders

    Posted on by Joyce Marshall

    Tonsillitis can be more than irritating, and it does need to be treated. While you will be seeing a doctor for sure, there are natural remedies that can help to fight against the infection. It is either a viral infection you’re dealing with or a bacterial infection.

    Did you know that your tonsils are actually lymph nodes? Help yourself in regards to treatment of your tonsillitis with these natural remedies.

    Gargling Salt Water

    In regards to many oral infections, one natural remedy always stands out and is often recommended. Can you guess what it might be?

    It is gargling salt water.

    It’s best if you warm the water, and you want to make sure you add enough salt. It is certainly not tasty, but it is highly effective. Since your tonsils are located in the back of your throat, simply swishing the salt water around isn’t good enough. You must gargle as well.

    This is also great for tonsil stones too.

    Lemon & Basil Drink

    You can rinse and repeat that last natural remedy throughout the day for relief. Basil and lemon juice are two other effective natural remedies. It’s best if you use fresh basil leaves, and you also want a fresh-squeezed lemon.

    You’re going to actually drink this solution, so hold your nose. In all seriousness, it’s not that bad and can work wonders in regards to your tonsillitis symptoms.

    Add Cinnamon

    Adding cinnamon to water can also help, due to its antibacterial properties. Keep in mind that you can always add other appetizing ingredients to these solutions that are mentioned to make them more palatable.

    It helps to know the recipes and what helps though, and it pays to use fresh ingredients. Cinnamon seems palatable enough, but on its own, well, have you ever heard of the cinnamon challenge? In this case, it’s a good idea to add a little honey as a sweetener.

    Mint

    Then there is mint. You can do one of two things here. You can gather some fresh mint, and make some mint flavored water with a dash of honey.

    Or you can simply resolve to use a mint-flavored mouthwash.

    Figs

    Let’s talk about one more natural remedy for tonsillitis symptoms. You need fresh figs. You’re going to mash them up in water. This recipe also calls for that dash of honey, so you can see that honey is a good thing to have around.

    All things considered, if you try out one or more of these natural solutions that have been mentioned, you’re going to be helping your cause in the fight against your tonsillitis symptoms.

    What Are Tonsil Stones: Everything You need To Know

    Posted on by Joyce Marshall

    Tonsils are small pockets located at the back of the mouth/throat. They are made up of spongy tissue referred to as lymphocytes.

    Tonsils have a role to play in the body’s immune system; they make up the body’s first line of defense against germs. Their main function is to keep viruses and bacteria from entering the body through the mouth and throat.

    Over time, food particles, germs and viruses accumulate in the tonsils, causing a variety of negative effects, among them, tonsil stones.

    How Tonsil Stones Form

    Tonsil stones form as sulfur producing bacteria and food particles get stuck in the small crevices making up the surface of tonsils. As the debris decays, and more accumulates, the matter solidifies forming white or yellow colored stones.

    It’s worth noting that the process by which these stones are formed is quite natural as the body protects it from viruses and bacteria.

    A number of tonsil stones may form, or a single large one, as a result of the decay of these debris and bacteria.

    Although tonsil stones are commonly seen in people who suffer from regular cases of tonsil infection, they also form in the absence of infections.

    Symptoms

    At this point it’s worth stating that the size of tonsil stones influences the severity of the symptoms experienced.

    Over time, it is normal for you to cough up small white particles, indicating that you have tonsil stones.

    Another common symptom of tonsil stones is chronic bad breath. This occurs as the decaying debris combine with unstable sulfur compounds originating from bacteria found under the tongue.

    If you have been experiencing bad breath which does not gone away even with regular use of normal mouthwashes and toothpastes, you might be suffering from the effects of tonsil stones.

    Since tonsils are located at the back of the throat, tonsil stones tend to be hard to spot. When undetected for a long time, they may grow in size and become inflamed. This may cause a variety of symptoms including difficulty when swallowing, pain in the ears due to shared nerves, sore throat, coughing and choking among others.

    Treatment And Prevention

    Tonsil stones can be dissolved by gargling warm salt water. In serious cases the affected tonsils may have to be completely removed through a procedure referred to as tonsillectomy; this is however not ideal.

    Practicing proper dental hygiene, and washing down food particles with a glass of water after meals will go a long way in preventing the formation of tonsil stones.

    Final Words

    Now you may be asking yourself, are tonsil stones bad for you? Well that depends on how you look at it.

    From a medical stand point, they don’t pose any serious threat to your overall health. Other than causing a few annoying symptoms, they won’t cause you any problems.

    But from a psychological stand point, it can pose a serious threat to your mental health. Some of the symptoms caused by tonsil stones, particularly extremely bad breath, can make people refrain from social situations, often to the point where they are afraid to talk to anyone.

    Tonsil Infections – What a Drag!

    Posted on by Joyce Marshall

    Tonsil infections really suck (particularly tonsil stones and tonsillitis). They make your throat hurt, they make it difficult to talk, they make it difficult to eat and pretty much put a massive damper on your day. Even if you’re the quietest person on the planet, they’re still going to annoy you.

    Well I for one couldn’t stand this and wanted to do something about (albeit something quite small – heck everything counts!!). So I started up this website to try help as many people as I could with their tonsil related aliments and issues.

    I know I won’t get to everyone but if I can help at least one person significantly then I’ll feel satisfied.

    I hope you enjoy your wander around Ionia Hospital and I hope that your tonsil infection becomes less severe after having applied what you’ve learned 😉