Today in the Expressions Dental Care 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 gland-like masses that function as part of the lymphatic system. As such, they are part of your immune system and vital to your oral health in Reston.
Tonsils are made of infection-fighting tissue known as lymphocytes, but, in many cases, tonsils aren’t really that effective at their job of germ killing and ridding the body of toxins.
Tonsils have many areas where dead cells, mucus, and bacteria can become trapped. 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 to improve your oral health in Reston. Young children may have difficulty describing where the pain is coming from. If your child has persistent sore throats, have your pediatrician check their tonsils.
Regular visits with a pediatrician are vital for your child’s oral health in Reston. Regular dental check-ups are just as essential. 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 at
703-757-6453 to schedule an appointment. We offer other general and cosmetic dentistry services as well, such as
teeth whitening,
teeth cleanings, and
wisdom teeth removal.
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