Can Vaping Cause Tonsil Stones? (Reasons For Your Tonsil Stones)

While some think that vaping is the best alternative to smoking, they cannot ignore its side effects. As a result, those who are still undecided keep asking themselves whether vaping can cause tonsil stones or not. So does it?

While it is true that some who started vaping might already have experienced tonsil inflammation before vaping, scientific research has shown that vaping and smoking cause inflammation and degrade the immune system. This makes you vulnerable to fungal and bacterial infection as well as tonsils.

A recent study showed that vaping alters the natural bacteria in the mouth, leaving you susceptible to inflammation and oral diseases.

Experts said that this was the first study to show that vaping can change the nature of the microbiome (beneficial bacteria) in the mouth, adding to the long list of potential health hazards associated with smoking e-cigarettes. So get our detailed explanation on whether vaping can cause tonsil stones. Continue reading to find out.

Can Vaping Cause Tonsil Stones?

A quick answer to the question is YES; vaping increases your chance of getting tonsil stones. As said earlier, vaping compromises your immune system and, at the same time, causes inflammation, leaving you vulnerable to fungal, bacterial, and inflammation that results in tonsils. This means that when you vape, your chance of getting tonsil stones is high.

What Exactly Are Tonsil Stones?

Tonsil stones are small lumps of hard material that form in your tonsils. One thing you need to know about tonsil stones is that they are not painful or harmful.

However, they can cause bad breath. You can treat mild tonsil stones quickly at home, but if it is severe, you may need to remove them via surgery.

What Is The Difference Between Tonsillitis Stones And Tonsillitis?

Most people are usually not able to differentiate between tonsillitis stones and tonsillitis. Tonsil stones are a buildup of bacteria and debris within crannies and nooks of your tonsils and occur when they become affected.

On the other hand, tonsillitis is a tonsil infection. Both infections usually cause bad breath, but you will also get a sore throat, headache, and fever when you have tonsillitis.

Why Vaping Increases The Chance Can Cause Tonsil Stones

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Researchers have found out that vaping increases the chances of getting tonsils. New research showed that tonsil stones alter the balance of beneficial bacteria in the mouth, thus increasing the risk of getting tonsil stones.

When cells in your tonsils are exposed to vaping, they become more susceptible to inflammation and infections. Once someone develops inflammation, their immune system dampens, thus increasing the risk of getting tonsil stones.

A study of 119 participants, including those who smoked vaping and those who didn’t smoke, revealed that nearly 75% of vape smokers showed signs of gum disease, mouth infection, or tonsil stones.

On the other hand, only 2% of people who did not smoke vaping showed signs of gum diseases, and none showed signs of tonsil stones. This is a clear sign that vaping can cause tonsil stones.

How To Get Rid Of Tonsil Stones From Vaping

Now that you know that you can get tonsil stones from vaping, the next question is how you can get rid of tonsil stones from vaping. If tests have shown that your tonsil stones result from vaping, below are things to do to get rid of them.

Stop smoking e-cigarettes

If the results have shown that your tonsil stones result from vaping, you first need to stop vaping.

If you continue vaping, the condition will worsen, or your medication may take a long time to respond. So, if you have been vaping, then you should stop immediately.

Gargle salt water

Another great way to get rid of tonsil stones caused by vaping is by gargling salt water. Gargling will help ease inflammation and reduce discomfort.

Gargling can even dislodge tonsil stones if it is mild. Try to gargle one teaspoon of mixed salt with eight ounces of water twice daily in the morning and evening.

Practice good oral hygiene

One cannot overstate the importance of practicing good oral hygiene. To get rid of tonsil stones caused by vaping, you must practice good oral hygiene. Some vape people don’t get tonsil stones because they practice good oral hygiene.

Good oral hygiene means brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and visiting the dentist regularly. Good oral hygiene will also help to prevent additional holes from forming.

Stop smoking

If you are a smoker, then you need to stop smoking immediately. Like vaping, smoking will worsen the situation, so you need to stop smoking immediately. If you are smoking any form of tobacco, stop immediately.

Use mouthwash

Another way to eliminate tonsil stones caused by vaping is by using mouthwash. Both will help eliminate and prevent new infections, thus accelerating the healing process.

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Can Vaping Cause Tonsil Cancer?

Multiple studies have shown that vaping can indeed cause tonsil cancer. Although more research is still being done to verify if vaping can cause tonsil cancer, the study’s outcome is almost predictable.

A 2017 study found that vaping contains dangerous chemicals that can cause tonsil cancer. If you smoke e-cigarettes frequently, you are at a higher risk of suffering from tonsil cancer.

Although vaping is not as lethal as smoking tobacco, its risks are also high, and thus you should avoid it. When lung illness broke out in the United States in 2019, experts discovered that it resulted from vaping.

More studies also linked vaping to tonsil cancer because of the harmful chemicals. Vaping should only be used by those trying to stop smoking tobacco.

Can vaping cause holes in the tonsils?

YES, vaping can cause holes in the tonsils. A 2019 research showed that people who vape greatly risk developing cavities in their tonsils. This is because vaping wears down your immune system, leaving you vulnerable to bacterial and fungal infections that can cause holes in the tonsil.

So if you vape frequently, then know that you are at higher risk of developing cavities in your tonsils. While gaps in the tonsils may be harmless at first, a continuous buildup of debris and viral or bacterial infection may result in serious health problems.

The best way to avoid the risk of complications from holes in the tonsils is by avoiding vaping, maintaining good oral hygiene, and washing your hands frequently.

How Long Does It Take For Tonsil Stones To Go Away?

It depends on many factors like the person’s health, the severity of the tonsil stones, etc. Mild tonsil stones usually go away on their own over time. Their time to dislodge depends on many factors.

Such factors include your overall immune system, oral hygiene, the severity of the tonsil stones, and much more. However, if the tonsil stone is mild, it will take two months to dislodge if all factors remain constant.

On the other hand, if the tonsil stone is severe and the bacteria continues to grow, they may last for years. It seems the only practical way to remove painful tonsil stones and prevent them from recurring is surgically removing them.

What Causes Tonsil Stones?

Tonsil stones development may result from several factors. They include substances like food particles, bacteria, mucus, or dead cells that get stuck in the crannies and nooks of the tonsils. Bacteria and particles usually get trapped chiefly because of improper oral hygiene.

When your body’s immune system notices that you have foreign invaders in your tonsils, white blood cells are immediately released to the affected area to prevent the infection. When blood cells are done fighting the fight, they usually leave small stones behind.

The most recommended way of getting rid of tonsil stones is practicing good oral hygiene, including brushing and flowing your teeth at least twice a day and using mouthwash to keep your teeth clean.

Can Tonsil Stones Make You Sick?

Again, it depends. In most cases, tonsil stones usually don’t cause serious health problems. The only thing that they will cause is bad breath.

However, tonsil stones can damage or disrupt the tonsil tissue in severe cases, causing significant inflammation, swelling, or even infection. Large tonsil stones will also give you trouble swallowing and cause ear pain.

Tonsil Stones After Quitting Smoking

Smoking is one of the main factors that increase the risk of getting tonsil stones. This is because tobacco has dangerous substances that cause bacterial and fungal infections in the tonsils, which, in turn, causes tonsil stones.

This means that if you quit smoking, then the chances of getting tonsil stones will reduce significantly. On the other hand, if the doctor has diagnosed you with tonsil stones and then stopped smoking, you will recover much faster than someone still smoking.

So, if the doctor diagnosed you with tonsil stones and you want to get rid of them, the first thing to do is quit smoking.

How To Remove Tonsil Stones

If you are suffering from tonsil stones, you must wonder how to get rid of them. Although tonsil stones are primarily harmless, they can cause throat and ear pain if they become too big. If that is the case, then you are in the right place. In this section, we will give you tips on removing tonsil stones.

1. Swab across the tonsils

One of the best ways of removing tonsil stones is by swiping a clean cotton swab on your tonsils. Ensure that you do this gently to avoid causing bleeding. Rinse your mouth once you remove a stone, then move to the next one.

2. Surgery

Suppose tonsils are severe, and you cannot remove them using other methods. In that case, your physician may recommend that they remove it through surgery. The surgical process eradicates the tonsil, meaning you will never worry about tonsil stones again.

It is the most recommended method of getting rid of tonsil stones, especially for people who have suffered from them for a long time.

What Makes Tonsil Stones Bigger?

Tonsil stones usually become bigger with time, and the reason why they do so is that they tend to harden with time. Bacterial and fungal infections may also cause inflammation making them swell and bigger.

If you start feeling pain in the throat, that is a sign that your tonsil stones have become bigger and need medical attention.

Why Do People Get Tonsil Stones After Vaping?

People get tonsil stones after vaping or even smoking cigarettes because they produce excessive mucus. Additionally, vaping contains harmful substances that cause bacterial infection in the tonsils, which in turn causes tonsil stones.

Apart From Vaping, What Foods Can Cause Tonsil Stones?

Besides poor oral hygiene, some foods can also cause tonsil stones. Common foods that are known to cause tonsil stones are dairy products.

Dairy products contain lactose which contains bacteria that can trigger swelling and the development of tonsil stones.

They also thicken the mucus and contain calcium that allows stones to form. If you usually get tonsil stones and want to get rid of them, avoid dairy products, including milk, cheese, dried milk, yogurt, butter, and much more.

FAQs

Can you get tonsil stones from vaping?

Yes, you can get tonsil stones from vaping.

Does vaping cause tonsil stones?

Yes, it does.

Are holes in tonsils from vaping?

Yes, they are.

Can vaping cause tonsillitis?

Yes, it can cause it.

Final Thoughts

Tonsil stones usually occur when debris becomes trapped in the pits of the tonsils. However, they are mostly harmless and usually go away on their own.

However, the infection can also cause them to grow, causing bad breath, persistent cough, ear pain, and sore throat.

Vaping is one of the leading causes of tonsil stones. So, suppose you have been diagnosed with tonsil stones and like vaping. In that case, you must stop immaculately to avoid worsening the condition.

Studies have shown that vaping contain harmful substances that can cause bacterial infection in the tonsil, leading to the development of tonsil stones. So, stop vaping!

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