You brush, you floss, you rinse with mouthwash—yet you still notice a weird metallic taste, persistent bad breath, or a tiny white lump tucked in the back of your throat that won’t go away.
Chances are, you’ve got tonsil stones—also known as tonsilloliths.
They’re not dangerous, but they’re annoying, smelly, and surprisingly common—especially if you’ve had frequent tonsillitis or deep tonsil crypts (those little nooks in your tonsils).
The good news? You don’t need surgery or panic. Most tonsil stones can be managed at home with simple, safe methods. Let’s uncover what they really are—and how to send them packing.
🔬 What Are Tonsil Stones?
Tonsil stones are small, hardened clumps that form when debris like dead cells, food particles, mucus, and bacteria get trapped in the crypts (crevices) of your tonsils.
Over time, this buildup calcifies—turning into white or yellowish pebbles that range from grain-of-rice size to pea-sized.
While they’re not infections, they harbor odor-causing bacteria, which is why they’re a leading cause of chronic bad breath (halitosis) that doesn’t respond to brushing or mints.
🚩 Common Symptoms of Tonsil Stones
