What are tonsil stones (tonsilloliths)? What is their medical term?
Okay, no problem.
Hey, have you heard of "tonsil stones"? Those little rocks that cause bad breath.
Have you ever experienced this: constantly feeling like something's stuck in your throat, something you can't cough up or swallow down? Sometimes, when you cough or sneeze, you might suddenly cough up a tiny, yellowish-white, foul-smelling particle about the size of a grain of rice?
If the answer is "yes," then you've most likely encountered Tonsil Stones.
What exactly are they?
Think of your tonsils like a "walnut" or a "sponge" with many little holes and grooves. These grooves are medically called crypts.
When we eat or drink, some things can accidentally get lodged in these little holes:
- Food debris
- Shed oral epithelial cells (essentially dead skin)
- Various bacteria
Over time, these "bits of junk" build up inside the crypts. Just like trash piling up in an unemptied bin, bacteria feast on these substances. This mixture then gradually calcifies, hardens, and eventually forms small, yellowish-white particles with a texture somewhat like cheese curds.
These are tonsil stones.
In simple terms, they are essentially "old, hardened gunk" made up of food debris and bacteria, hiding in the tiny cavities of your tonsils. Their most notorious characteristic? – Extreme stink! Because when bacteria break down this organic matter, they produce sulfur compounds that smell like rotten eggs. This is one of the "culprits" behind bad breath that persists even for people who brush their teeth meticulously.
What's their medical name?
The formal or medical term for tonsil stones is Tonsillar Keratosis, or in English, Tonsillolith.
However, in everyday conversation or when talking to a doctor, simply saying "tonsil stones" or "Tonsil Stones" is perfectly understood by most people and physicians.
How can I tell if I have them?
Besides coughing one up unexpectedly, watch out for these signs:
- Persistent bad breath: This is the most common symptom, often resistant to brushing and mouthwash.
- A sensation of something stuck in the throat: It feels like a grain of rice is stuck back there.
- Sore throat or discomfort when swallowing: If the stone is larger, it might cause local irritation or pain in the throat.
- Visible stones: Open your mouth wide and shine a light towards the tonsils at the back of your throat. Sometimes you can see small white or yellowish specks embedded in the crypts.
In summary, tonsil stones themselves are usually not a major health problem and are harmless in most cases. However, the bad breath and discomfort they cause are certainly annoying. If you're troubled by them, maintaining good oral hygiene (like using mouthwash after eating) can really help. If the situation is more serious, it's best to see an ENT doctor.