What is the safest way to remove Tonsil Stones?

Hi Flutherist!
I have tonsil stones, they are annoying, I’ve had them forever.
When I get a cold and I have post nasal drip (sorry) it seems my tonsils just turn into a breeding ground.
I have lumpy, not swollen tonsils filled with them at the moment, I tried to get them out the other day and stabbed my tonsil so hard that it bleed and I caused bruising, the Dr told me to leave them alone and they will go away, but they don’t! I want them out.
For those that have them, what do you do?
My tonsils are crypts, lots of small little crypts and I seem to find new crypts all the time, I asked the Dr about getting my tonsils out but at 42 she said don’t do it and she knows of someone that died getting them out for tonsil stones, so it’s safe to say I’ll never get them taken out after that comment. Can they cause sepsis?
Surely having rotting bacteria in your mouth cant’ be a good thing.
How do you get out those ones that are UNDER the skin?
I’ve tried cotton buds etc, I’m wondering if I should go and ask for antibiotics to at least get rid of the bacteria from the stones, knowing it won’t actually remove the stone itself. CAn you tell I’m desperate and needing help… HELP!