Wikipedia says
The crypt system is not merely a group of invaginations
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invagination> of the tonsillar epithelium
but a highly complicated network of canals with special types of
epithelium and with various structures surrounding the canals, such as
blood and lymphatic vessels and germinal centers.^[/citation needed
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed>/]
Macrophages <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrophages> and other white
blood cells <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_blood_cells> concentrate
by the tonsillar crypts as well, in response to the microorganisms
attracted to the crypts. Accordingly, the tonsillar crypts serve a
forward sentry role for the immune system
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immune_system>, by providing early
exposure of immune system cells to infectious organisms which may be
introduced into the body via food or other ingested matter.^[/citation
needed <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed>/]
However, the tonsillar crypts often provide such an inviting environment
to bacteria <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacteria> that bacterial
colonies may form solidified "plugs" or "stones" within the crypts. In
particular, sufferers of chronic sinusitis
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinusitis> or post-nasal drip
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-nasal_drip> frequently suffer from
these overgrowths of bacteria in the tonsillar crypts.^[/medical
citation needed
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Identifying_reliable_sources_%28medicine%29>/]
These small whitish plugs, termed "tonsilloliths
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonsilloliths>" and sometimes known as
"tonsil stones," have a foul smell and can contribute to bad breath
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_breath>; furthermore, they can
obstruct the normal flow of pus <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pus> from
the crypts, and may irritate the throat (people with tonsil stones may
complain of the feeling that something is stuck in their
throat).^[/citation needed
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed>/]
Here is an article about it:
http://www.therabreath.com/tonsil-stones-treatment.html
It mentions:
found in 75 percent of patients suffering from recurring tonsillitis
When food particles and dead cells build up inside the tonsil crypts,
bacterial organisms that create bad odors are immediately attracted to
the area. In this anaerobic or low-oxygen environment, these bacterial
organisms thrive and release sulfurous compounds as a byproduct of their
metabolic process. Patients suffering from tonsil stones are frequently
faced with the decision to remove their tonsils completely or create a
tonsil stones treatment plan that involves regular maintenance and the
periodic removal of the calcified material...........
Painful swallowing, metallic tastes, ear pain affecting local nerve
paths, coughing, choking, visible debris, and sensations that the throat
is restricted or closing are all common symptoms linked to tonsil
stones...........
laser cryptolysis allows patients to keep their tonsils, which many
improve the immune system and help inhibit some bacterial and viral
infections.
Studies have linked tonsil stones to post-nasal drip, dry mouth caused
by medications and cases of chronic or recurrent purulent
tonsillitis..............
modern doctors are now using antibiotics and other methods to treat
tonsillitis without surgery. Scientific evidence suggests that people
who keep their tonsils are less likely to suffer from bacterial and
viral infections than those who have undergone a complete tonsillectomy.
Common treatment and prevention strategies include regularly removing
calcified material when it causes pain or discomfort. If you are
suffering from tonsillitis and tonsil stones, gargling warm salt water
can help remove the debris and relieve the discomfort
Another source calls them tonsil crypts and recommends gargling with one
part water, one part any mouth rinse and one part hydrogen peroxide. CS
would be perfect, I reckon.
cwww.drgreene.com/qa-articles/treating-*tonsil*-stones/
Surgial treatment is almost never necessary for this condition, but when
needed, treatment consists of either removing the tonsils or removing
the calculi. Troublesome large calculi that are not easily dislodged may
need an ear, nose, and throat doctor to remove them.
Not too long ago, tonsils were routinely removed
<http://www.drgreene.com/qa/tonsillectomies-and-adenoidectomies-ear-infections>
for the sole crime of being swollen and inflamed. We didn’t understand,
then, that the tonsils purposely accept the infections
<http://www.drgreene.com/qa/bacteria-vs-viruses?lc=int_mb_1001> to
prevent the organisms from traveling deeper, and to show the invaders to
the developing immune system
<http://www.drgreene.com/blog/2001/07/13/too-many-infections> to train
it for the future. The tonsils are selfless protectors. As a child
becomes an adult, the tonsils usually begin to shrink; the watchful
guardians of childhood
<http://www.drgreene.com/ages-stages/school-age?lc=int_mb_1001> are no
longer much-needed.
