Tonsils serve a very important purpose in protecting our bodies from the bacteria and other micro invaders. Tonsil is that fleshy tissue that you usually see when you open your throat but according to doctors, it is not merely a tissue in your throat. It acts as a barrier that does not let the harmful bacteria and micro invaders pass through it and travel down to the gastrointestinal tract and other organs.

The tonsils are not efficient in performing their tasks as they can capture the different bacteria and viruses and can cause infection and swelling in the tonsil. They are also capable of developing tonsil stones that are called tonsilloliths.

The crevices or folds in the throat region may contain the hard calcified formations, which are called tonsil stones. Do not panic if you come across these stones. These small-sized stones do not cause any harm to you but only cause discomfort if their size grows. Medical science believes that almost everybody has some formations present in the tonsil region unless, you have gone through a surgery to get rid of these obstructions in the tonsil region. The increasing size of the calcified stones calls for attention to only a very small proportion of the population.

Symptoms of tonsil stones: It is recommended to consult a doctor in case you feel you have tonsil stones. The symptoms that are usually seen or felt in this medical condition are: Bad Breath (in extreme cases) and Difficulty and Pain in Swallowing

If the calcified formations have increased in size and are clutching to the tonsil walls then they will cause difficulty along with a sensation of pain in swallowing. There will be soreness in the tonsil tissues as well.

The tonsils that are extremely large i.e. 40 grams in weight and above should be removed through a surgery. The surgery is not a major surgery that will require long bed rest. In most of the cases, the individual will be up and moving around after these obstructing stones have been removed. People regularly with the use of small picks or swabs also remove the tonsil stones. This should only be done after a doctor's examination of your throat. Removing the tonsil stones with a pick is not harmful but picking your mouth that has a powerful and quick gag reflex can be very difficult. The gag reflex can be affected in this process since these hard formations are sticking to the throat opening.

A doctor has knowledge about a number of injectable numbing agents that will numb the gag reflex while you get the tonsil stones removed during a surgery. Hence, instead of causing trouble to the gag reflex, its best to seek medical help.

If the size of the tonsil stones is small then they may not cause you any trouble in the form of discomfort. However, the growing size of these stones causes a lot of pain and difficulty in the throat while you swallow food. Gargling is a very effective method of allaying yourself of the discomfort caused by these hard formations. It is advised to use warm salt water to gargle to soothe the pain.

The reason why doctors suggest that you add salt while gargling is because salt is a natural antibiotic. It helps battle the bacteria in your affected area. The pain and difficulty accompanying the stones in your tonsils can be effectively countered by the simple approach of gargling. For those who are proud of maintaining an excellent oral care routine, gargle could be an ideal addition to their schedule - and a great remedy.