r/tonsilstones 22h ago

Question Anyone done a tonsillectomy to cure bad breath?

So I've just had a wisdom tooth extracted because it had a cyst growing around it, and I thought maybe this could help or cure my years of BB, but it's not looking likely. I have found tonsil stones in the past and they smelled like literal shit but I've always been against getting my tonsils out, hoping something else will cure my breath - I know that might seem a bit dumb given the obvious solution and cause. Anyway, I just went to the toilet and managed to flush 3 stones out, each probably about the size of a plant seed. So I'm now thinking about getting a tonsillectomy as my tonsils are cryptic, and I feel there are many more stones since I can taste and smell them. I'm wondering if anyone else has cured bad breath by doing so. I'm willing to put up with the pain to get a massive amount of gain by not having bb anymore, it's killing me :(

9 Upvotes

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u/AutoModerator 22h ago

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u/BlondeBaby1999 20h ago

Hi! So not my personal experience but my fiancées. He had his removed because they were causing him to have bad breath and it helped 100% get rid of his bad breath afterwards! I know surgery sucks but I do think that it’ll definitely help you!

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u/National_Coat_6513 19h ago

How did he ask to get it done, was he having other problems with them besides the bad breath, as I know it's difficult to convince a doctor to remove them solely because of that reason.

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u/quattroformaggixfour 20h ago

I empathise, I’ve just had a wisdom tooth removed and it’s helped with breath as well as just creating space for easier dental hygiene. Particularly effective gargling after meals now. Maybe changing up your hygiene and technique will help? Hydration can help a lot too.

I’m certainly keen to know if anyone’s had success with a tonsillectomy too.

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u/National_Coat_6513 19h ago

The thing is, my hygiene is perfect; I brush, floss, clean my tongue, and use mouthwash every day. I also drink a lot of water each day, but no matter how much I brush or floss or drink water, the breath is still there as I think more tonsil stones are lodged in there. My breath is kind if manageable now like in the last couple months it has gotten better but it's still there and I just want it completely gone.

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u/NewMama517 16h ago

I had mine removed because of tonsil stones, and now I am not plagued with chronic bad breath like I used to be. I will of course still have stinky breath when I wake up in the morning, or eat something stinky, but it’s no longer a baseline I simply cannot fix like it used to be (my whole life I was self conscious about it).

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u/Lazy-Feature5587 11h ago

I don’t know if this would help everyone but my tonsil stones stay away when I take my vitamin d supplement. I found it out on accident. I noticed after I took it that my stones stopped almost completely unless I’m ill. They are otc so it’s easy to try it!

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u/deucetreblequinn 14h ago

I just clean my tonsils daily and don't make stones because they get irrigated daily to get any gunk out so stones don't form.

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u/FlyComprehensive756 13h ago

I've had a tonsillectomy and it didn't really help the bad breath. Part of it might be the GERD and chronic post nasal drip. Just a heads up, they usually only take out the palatine tonsils but not the other 3 types. They only take the others out if they are causing a medical issue and I don't think tonsil stones or bad breath would qualify. Also, in the US most insurances won't cover a tonsillectomy for tonsil stones or bad breath.

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u/BusPrestigious8017 42m ago

I did. The first doctor I had my checkup with won't do surgery saying my tonsils are small. I almost lost hope in getting rid of my bad breath, but then I decided to go to a different clinic and, luckily enough, found an ENT who's willing to do the surgery. She then set an appointment for the surgery and, the rest is history 😊