How To Alleviate Tonsil Stones In Children
Although tonsil stones are common in adults, tonsil stones in children can also occur. These stones are really a buildup of calcium, bacteria, mucus, phlegm, and other materials that lodge in the soft tissue areas of the throat and mouth. Tonsil stones start out as very small that they cannot be noticed by those who have them, although in some cases they can grow to severely large stones and have to be attended to quickly.
Other complications that comes with tonsil stones include halitosis, coughing, metallic taste, and throat discomfort. Tonsil stones can be typically harmless but they can be scary for children since they do not know what it is.
Treating tonsil stones in children is very similar to treating them in adults. Knowing how tonsil stones form can help you avoid them. Treating tonsil stones in children should start with good oral hygiene.
Unfortunately many children neglect their oral hygiene, not realizing how important it is over time. Parents may overlook the oral hygiene of their children. However, some tonsil stones in children may form because of this lack of hygiene.
Flossing is important for children because this gets rid of food particles in and around the teeth and gums. If these elements are not cleansed quickly they can be retained in your mouth which can develop into tonsil stones. Regular and proper brushing is very important to get rid of particles in the mouth.
You can also direct your child to rinse their mouth with a mild mouthwash to prevent the formation of tonsil stones in children. Rinsing means washing away particles in your mouth so they won't stay on your throat. It's up to the adults to oversee these things in children since of course they're more likely to let their oral hygiene fall by the wayside.
A dentist can perform a thorough exam and remove any stones that don't come loose on their own, doing so before they grow any bigger than they already are. The dentist can also recommend a tonsillectomy to avoid the occurrence of tonsil stones in children.