Tonsil stones are accumulated food and mouth debris that get stuck inside deep holes in the tonsils. As they rot they become smelly and cause a bad taste. They can also cause a lump sensation, ear pressure symptoms and tonsillitis. I treat them by removing a substantial part of the tonsil using a vapourising laser and local anaesthetic spray.
JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(2):e2148655. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.48655 Quite a good study, although the mean of 4 days before return to work surprised me from the laser group. I perform this procedure very much as a lunchtime operation, with no painkillers being prescribed as they are not needed. And I've done thousands over the last 25 years!