If you have ever had tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, then you probably want to hack off your tonsils to prevent this horrible problem from ever coming back.

However, you need to think twice about doing this.

For one, a tonsillectomy, or a removal of your tonsils, is a serious surgery that comes with a variety of dangers. Second of all, a tonsillectomy is not cheap. You will incur hospital costs, surgery costs, plus you will lose days of school or work to get the surgery done. And finally, it is not necessary, nor is it smart to remove your tonsils simply because you have suffered from tonsil stones.

For those who have never been 'blessed' with these little white balls on your tonsils, let's explain. Tonsilloliths is the formation of food particles, mouth debris and sulphuric bacteria found in your mouth. The food, debris and bacteria all join together and mold onto your tonsils in little white to yellowish balls. They attach to the crypts of your tonsils and continue to grow, often causing a blockage or restriction in your throat.

For the most part they are not dangerous; however, they can emit a horrendous odor from your mouth that can cause extreme frustration and embarrassment.

Furthermore, you can actually remove and prevent these stones in the comfort of your own home. There is no need to go undergo a tonsillectomy.

To remove tonsil stones you need to dig deep into your mouth and hit them where it hurts. The longer these stones have been in your mouth, the more resistant they will be. In the same way tartar forms on your teeth, the stones continue to harden with time.

You can poke them loose with a toothpick or a cotton swap, if you are not prone to gagging. However, you can also try to use a syringe to flood them out, or even use salt water to gargle them out. Others can able to squeeze their throat and simply pop the stones out of place.

To keep these stones from coming back you need to ensure that your mouth is food, debris and bacteria free. Of course, your mouth will always have particles floating around. However, if you use a syringe to clean your tonsil crypts you can stop the food from building up. Furthermore, you need to ensure that you brush, floss and rinse with a sugar free mouthwash every day.

By taking these small daily precautions you can avoid the recurrence of tonsil stones and avoid the horrors of a tonsillectomy.