×

Tonsil stones

Also called: Tonsillolith
A hard lump that develops in the fleshy pads, also known as tonsils, at the back of the throat.
  • Usually self-treatable
  • Usually self-diagnosable
  • Lab tests or imaging not required
  • Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
A tonsil stone, also known as a tonsillolith, is a lump of hardened material stuck in a tonsil. Some tonsils develop small pits in which food or mucus get caught. Bacteria grows on the bits that collect in the pit.
Common: More than 200,000 US cases per year
Consult a doctor for medical advice Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more
People also ask
Tonsil stones are small, pebble-like lumps that form in your tonsils. They're made of hardened minerals (like calcium), food debris and germs.
Nov 19, 2021 · Tonsil stones, or tonsilloliths, are hard, sometimes painful bits of bacteria and debris that get stuck in nooks on your tonsils.
Tonsil stones are small lumps of hardened material that form in the tonsils when debris builds up. Learn about 'tonsilloliths' symptoms and treatment.
May 20, 2024 · Discover why tonsil stones, small pebbles that develop in the tonsil tissue, can be more than just a nuisance and how to treat them.
Tonsil stones are small, hard lumps that form in crevices on the surface of the tonsils. They are usually harmless, although they can cause bad breath.
Tonsil stones are small lumps of hard material that form in the tonsils. Tonsil stones are usually not painful or harmful but they can cause bad breath.
Aug 13, 2018 · Tonsil stones are also known as tonsilloliths. They are generally not dangerous, but they may cause you to have a sore throat or bad breath.
Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are mineralizations of debris within the crevices of the tonsils. When not mineralized, the presence of debris ...
Tonsil stones look like white or yellow pebbles on your tonsils. They can cause bad breath, a sore throat, a bad taste in your mouth, and ear pain. Or they may ...
Jun 22, 2023 · The good news is that tonsil stones aren't dangerous and usually don't cause more than bad breath. They can often be treated without surgery. “ ...