Funky little nuggets in your throat? You may have tonsil stones

Let’s talk about a topic that doesn’t exactly come up at dinner parties (and maybe shouldn’t): tonsil stones.

Also known as tonsilloliths, these are the weird little white or yellowish lumps that sometimes make an unexpected appearance in the back of your throat. If you’ve ever coughed one up and thought, What alien object just came out of me?, you’re not alone. Tonsil stones are surprisingly common. While they’re usually harmless, they can be annoying, stinky and just plain gross.

Let’s break down what they are, why they happen and what you definitely should not do if you find yourself hosting these unwanted guests.

What are tonsil stones, anyway?

Picture your tonsils as squishy little caves at the back of your throat. These caves (technically called crypts) are meant to help trap bacteria and particles before they head deeper into your body. But sometimes, things get stuck.

Bits of food, mucus, dead cells and other debris can settle into those crypts. When this gunk hardens, voilà, you’ve got yourself a tonsil stone. They can range in size from tiny grains you’d barely notice to larger lumps.

Why do I have tonsil stones?

Some people are just more prone to tonsil stones than others. Blame it on your anatomy, your immune system or just bad luck. Here are some common culprits:

• Poor oral hygiene – The more gunk hanging out in your mouth, the likelier it is that your tonsils will catch it.
• Large tonsils or deep tonsil crypts – Some people just have the kind of tonsils that love to hoard things.
• Frequent tonsillitis – Inflammation can make the situation worse.

How do you know you've got tonsil stones?

Sometimes, you’ll feel like something’s stuck in your throat. Other times, you’ll cough and a funky little stone pops out. Often, people don’t even know they have them, but here is what to watch for.

• Bad breath – Like, “Why-is-my-dog-backing-away-from-me” bad.
• Sore throat or irritation – Not full-on sick, just… off.
• Trouble swallowing – Some difficulty swallowing can occur when the tonsils are enlarged.
• Ear pain – Tonsils and ears share some nerve pathways, so the pain can radiate.
• Visible white bumps – You might spot one peeking out if you look in the mirror and say “Ahhh.”

So, what is the treatment for tonsil stones?

The good news is most tonsil stones are totally harmless and don’t require medical intervention. But here’s the plan if you want to evict them from your throat caves.

1. Step up your oral hygiene
Brush your teeth, floss and don’t forget your tongue. The less debris in your mouth, the less fuel for tonsil stones.

2. Gargle with salt water
A warm saltwater gargle can soothe irritation and help dislodge smaller stones.

3. Use a water flosser
On a gentle setting, a water flosser can flush out stubborn stones. Pro tip: lean over the sink unless you want to wear it.

4. See your provider
If tonsil stones are large, painful or keep coming back like a bad sequel, your health care provider can help. In rare cases, they may suggest a tonsillectomy.

What NOT to do if you have tonsil stones

There can be something oddly satisfying about trying to pop one out yourself. But please resist the urge to go full DIY surgeon.

Don’t dig around with your fingers, tweezers or a cotton swab
This can scratch or injure your tonsils, cause bleeding or infection, and generally make things worse.

Don’t ignore chronic symptoms
If you constantly have bad breath, throat pain or enlarged tonsils, don’t chalk it up to “just tonsil stones.” It could be something else, so get it checked out.

Don’t overuse mouthwash with alcohol
It can dry out your mouth, which might make stones worse in the long run. Go for an alcohol-free rinse instead.

Should you worry?

Tonsil stones might feel icky, but they’re actually super common. In fact, if you polled your friends, you’d probably find quite a few fellow stone-formers.

With good hygiene, regular checkups and maybe a little salt water swishing, you can keep your tonsils clear and your breath fresher. And hey, now you’ve got a fun (or horrifying) fact to share at your next trivia night. You're welcome.