Hi, my name is doctor David Powell. Today in the Jordan Landing Smiles – David B. Powell DDS dental blog, we are going to focus on the two lumps of soft tissue in the back of the throat—the tonsils.
Your tonsils sit at the base of the tongue, one on each side. They are small masses of lymphoid tissue.. As such, they are part of your immune system.
Tonsils are made of infection-fighting tissue known as lymphocytes, but, in many cases, tonsils aren’t really that capable at their job of germ killing and ridding the body of toxins. (Adenoids are made up of similar tissue but are located behind the nasal cavity.)
Your tonsils have plenty of wrinkles where dead cells, mucus, and bacteria can collect. If this debris accumulates and becomes concentrated, white formations can occur in the pockets. In rare cases, it hardens and becomes a tonsil stone or tonsillolith.
Here are some signs of tonsil infection:
Bad breath
Sore throat
Difficulty swallowing
Ear pain
Swelling of tonsils
Some people (often children) have persistent tonsil infections that eventually require surgical removal of the tonsils. If your tonsils begin to hurt, it’s essential to discuss treatment with your dentist or doctor.
Young children may have difficulty describing where the pain is coming from. If your child has common sore throats, have your pediatrician check their tonsils.
Regular visits with a pediatrician are crucial for your child. Regular dental check-ups are just as critical. If your young child has never seen a dentist, or if you are new to the area and don’t have a children’s dentist, call us West Jordan Dental Office to schedule an appointment.
We look forward to meeting you and your child.