You may wonder if your dentist can remove tonsils. Unfortunately, dentists do not remove tonsils.
Throughout your day, it’s likely you don’t pay any attention to the tonsils in the back of your throat. Though they don’t receive too much attention, your tonsils are actually part of your immune system and are the first line of defense against viruses and bacteria that enter your body through your mouth and nose. Even though they are there to prevent infection, sometimes they can get infected themselves, a condition known as tonsillitis.
Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of tonsillitis include:
- Red, swollen tonsils
- White or yellow coating or patches on the tonsils
- Sore throat
- Difficult or painful swallowing
- Fever
- Enlarged, tender lymph nodes in the neck
- A scratchy, muffled, or throaty voice
- Bad breath
Tonsillitis is more prevalent in children but adults do sometimes get it as well.
Will I need surgery?
In the past, it was far more common for doctors to jump right to removing the tonsils entirely, though nowadays most physicians approach it by waiting and seeing if it continues to get infected repeatedly. Your doctor may also opt to remove the tonsils if the tonsillitis is caused by bacteria and antibiotics haven’t been helping.
What can my dentist do to treat this?
Generally speaking, your dentist or oral surgeon won’t be the one to perform the procedure to remove your tonsils. Due to the nature of your dentist’s work, an issue with your tonsils may be detected by your dentist though and they may recommend you speak with your primary care physician or seek out an ear, nose, and throat doctor to discuss the next steps for your treatment. Dentists may have some general advice for you regarding how to alleviate some symptoms while you wait for an appointment with someone else. Although dentists don’t remove tonsils, there are a number of different procedures that can be done by your dentist or oral surgeon. These can include tooth extractions, pathology/biopsy, dental implants, exposing and bonding, bone/soft tissue grafting, crowns, veneers, root canals, and deep cleanings.
If you’re in need of any of these services, contact us to schedule a consultation. We’ll work with you to reach your oral health goals!
