Swollen tonsils usually mean your body is fighting a virus, like a cold or the flu, or bacteria, like strep throat. Allergies and mouth breathing can also irritate them. See a doctor right away for a high fever or trouble breathing or swallowing. See one too if the swelling lasts more than 2 weeks.
Why Are My Tonsils Swollen?
You’re familiar with the feeling scratchy, swollen tonsils making swallowing a chore. It feels like everything you eat or drink gets stuck. The discomfort might even radiate to your ears, causing a painful headache. Not enjoyable at all.
If this sounds like your experience, your tonsils are probably swollen and inflamed—a condition known as tonsillitis, which affects hundreds of thousands each year. If you’re frequently dealing with swollen tonsils, you’re not alone. But why do your tonsils become so irritated and swollen?
What Causes Tonsils to Swell?
Positioned at the back of your throat, your tonsils act as gatekeepers, preventing germs and bacteria from entering your airway. When they become swollen and inflamed, it often means they are battling an infection trying to get through.
Most cases of tonsillitis are triggered by viruses such as:
- The common cold (rhinovirus)
- Influenza
- Parainfluenza
- Adenovirus
- Epstein-Barr virus (which causes mononucleosis)
Bacterial infections can also cause tonsillitis, typically from:
- Strep throat (group A streptococcus)
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Haemophilus influenzae
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
For many, swollen tonsils occur when exposed to these viruses or bacteria, especially during cold and flu season. Antibiotics, rest, hydration, and pain relievers usually help. However, for some, swollen tonsils become a chronic issue. Why does this happen?
Why Do My Tonsils Keep Swelling?
Tonsils which swell again and again can be linked to how you breathe, especially at night. Enlarged tonsils can narrow the airway and lead to problems such as:
Disrupted Sleep
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can block breathing in children during sleep. Poor sleep over time can affect growth, behavior, and focus.
Insufficient Airway Space
The truth is, our mouths and throats aren’t designed for breathing. When nasal passages are restricted, many resort to mouth breathing. Limited space can cause swollen tonsils to further restrict airflow, reducing oxygen intake with every breath.
Facial Growth Problems
Proper facial development depends on unobstructed nasal breathing in childhood. Restricted airways cause the tongue to rest too low and the mouth to remain open, leading to issues such as:
- Narrow upper jaw
- Crowded, crooked teeth
- Small chin
- Orthodontic problems later in life
Hormone Imbalance
Mouth breathing and high carbon dioxide levels can disrupt hormones regulating sleep, appetite, mood, immunity, metabolism, and more.
How Can a Dentist Help With Airway Concerns?
Don’t ignore recurring swollen tonsils. An evaluation by an airway-focused dentist can identify the root cause. With 3D imaging and specialized tests, they can assess your airway health and its overall impact.
Treatments focus on naturally opening constricted airways through precision therapies such as:
- Oral appliances: These devices, worn during sleep, move the jaw forward, open nasal passages, and reduce obstructions.
- Myofunctional therapy: Exercises strengthen oral muscles for proper tongue posture and nasal breathing.
- Vivos DNA appliance: Guides underdeveloped jaws into the correct position, allowing for less crowded, unobstructed airways.
Results vary from patient to patient. Dr. Hanam-Jahr will explain what an exam can and cannot tell you.
Should I Be Worried If One Tonsil Is Swollen?
One swollen tonsil is often a sign of a common infection, and it usually goes down as you get better. Some people also have one tonsil a little larger than the other by nature. Watch how it changes over the next few days.
Call a doctor soon if one tonsil keeps growing, feels hard, or stays swollen for more than 2 weeks. Pain on one side with a high fever, trouble opening your mouth, or a muffled voice needs care the same day. A doctor can check what is causing it and tell you what comes next.
When Should You See a Doctor?
See a doctor right away if you have trouble breathing or swallowing, or if swallowing hurts too much to drink. Get care the same day for a high fever with a sore throat and no cough, because a quick test can check for strep. These signs need a doctor first, not a dentist.
Book a visit if the swelling lasts more than 2 weeks or comes back several times a year. Your doctor treats the tonsils themselves. Dr. Hanam-Jahr can check your teeth, gums, and bite at a dental exam and tell you if anything there needs care.
What Should You Do Next?
At Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry, Dr. Jamielynn Hanam-Jahr understands the desire to breathe, sleep, and live better. You need a healthy, unobstructed airway to achieve this. Crowded airways and underdeveloped jaws can leave you feeling tired, anxious, and uncomfortable. We believe everyone deserves to thrive with robust health and wellbeing.
We recognize the frustration of chronic headaches, poor sleep, and low energy, which is why we take time to find the cause.
Here’s our approach:
- Call us today to talk about what you are noticing with your tonsils.
- Schedule a comprehensive exam with Dr. Hanam-Jahr. She will look at your teeth, gums, and bite, explain what she sees, and tell you when to see your doctor.
Swollen tonsils which keep coming back deserve a closer look. Call (310) 276-2088 to book a visit.
Schedule a dental exam today.
Beverly Hills Aesthetic Dentistry
Get Directions Here
435 N Bedford Dr #414, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
(310) 276-2088
www.mybeverlyhillsdentist.com
FAQs
How Do You Get Rid of Swollen Tonsils?
Rest, fluids, warm salt water gargles, and over-the-counter pain relief ease most cases. Mayo Clinic notes most tonsillitis comes from viruses, which antibiotics do not treat. Strep throat is different and needs a test and antibiotics from a doctor.
Why Are My Tonsils Swollen but I’m Not Sick?
Allergies, postnasal drip, mouth breathing, and dry air can irritate tonsils without an infection. Some people also have larger tonsils by nature. Cleveland Clinic lists the common signs of tonsillitis, which can help you tell the two apart. See a doctor if the swelling lasts more than 2 weeks.
Will a Swollen Tonsil Go Down by Itself?
Most swollen tonsils from a cold or the flu go down on their own as the infection clears. MedlinePlus explains when tonsillitis needs a doctor visit. Swelling on only one side, swelling which keeps growing, or trouble breathing needs a doctor right away.
Can Mouth Breathing Make Tonsils Swell?
It can add to the problem. Breathing through the mouth dries the throat and can irritate the tonsils. A dental exam can show signs of mouth breathing, such as a narrow upper jaw or crowded teeth. Your doctor treats the tonsils themselves. Results vary, and an exam is the first step.
