What are the small lumps of off white stuff that collect at the back of your throat or around your tonsils?

Question

Every now and again i notice in the mirror small white lumps on my tonsils, they are off white in colour and eventually dislodge when you like sneeze or cough. Im not ill or anything!

But what is it?

Indeed i thought it was food, and thanks for all the Gay comments shows your age really.

Doesn't bother me and not a problem just was interested in what it was!

Answer 1

It is pockets in you tonsils that are collecting food and debri, kinda so gross, I have them too, they smell terrible! You can try using a flashlight and use qtips to get them out, it helps alot, theres way more then just the ones your seeing they will just start popping out when you oush on your tonsils with the qtip! I know theres a website or something for it what its called but I cant think of it right now, its normal though I guess, you could have your tonsils removed I hear,but its so painful....

Answer 2

It could be something totally unrelated to illness. There are canals in your tonsils. As we age sometimes the canals enlarge & collect food particles or whatever. It may feel like you have a dry crumb stuck in the back of your throat. The white "collection" is eventually dislodged in some way or another. I get this sometimes. I have been successful in keeping the number of times this happens down by drinking lots of fluids. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Know the asteroid wellhead tonsil stones them for many years and it's been title not eventually.

Best decision I've ever made! I was shocked by the way of getting out the stones out. It was so easy, but more importantly, painless. I really liked the little trick he had for preventing gag reflex. He have one happy customer here.

Cure Tonsil Stones Permanently?

Answer 4

I get that - It's a harmless physiological quirk called 'cryptic tonsils' - this just means that your tonsils have small pockets or pits in them.

Basically, the white gunk is the same as what you get on your teeth if you've not brushed them recently - food particles, bacteria etc.

If it's annoying, try using a mouthwash or gargling with salt water to dislodge them. (Some people use cotton buds, but if you misfire you'll gag!) Otherwise, just leave it. Do keep an eye on them and try and keep them clean or they can get sore - if they do, just use Oraldine mouthwash.

Answer 5

I had a sore throat once and phoned the surgery and the doctor asked me if I had white spots in my mouth or throat. I think they can be a symptom of a bacterial infection and also a symptom of throat cancer so it is probably best to show them to a doctor!

Answer 6

They're called tonsil stones. They smell foul. They are like a build up of plaque. Go into google and put 'tonsil stones' in the search field.......heaps of info.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

They are tonsilloliths or tonsil stones.
Causes:
*Tonsils have canals where bacteria and other materials, including dead cells and mucous, can become lodged. When this occurs, the debris can become concentrated in white formations that settle in the pockets.
*Taking certain prescription medicines, such as high blood-pressure medication, painkillers, antidepressants, or amphetamine based medicines commonly used for Attention Deficit Disorder can also cause tonsil stones. This is because a common side effect is dry mouth, which means there is not enough saliva to wash food and bacteria away.
Symptoms:
*Severe halitosis (bad breath).
*Ear pain, since tonsils share the same nerve pathways as ears do.
*Throat irritation which can lead to infection.
*Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) if they cause the tonsils to become irritated & swollen.
Treatment:
*Chewing a dry cracker daily may help remove the stones.
*Pushing the tongue out hard - This pushes the muscles at the side of the throat & can dislodge them.
*Cotton swabs- If you can see them you can dislodge them. This in turn may help other stones not visible to dislodge also. If the swab does not work one can remove the cotton from the end using the stick & then try to dislodge the stone or use a dental floss pick. Be aware you may trigger your gag reflex.
*Warm saltwater rinse- This will not remove the stones but will provide some relief if they cause throat irritation.
*See an Otolaryngologist (ENT) Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor - They can dislodge them using a topical or local anesthetic.
*"If you have particularly craggy tonsils, it is possible to have laser treatment to smooth the nooks that trap food in the tonsils" ~ Dr. Anastasia Rachmanidou, ENT ~ I assume this would be expensive unless covered by insurance.
*Tonsillectomy- The only cure for tonsil stones if they large & symptomatic, causing chronic problems. Usually performed for chronic ear pain or tonsillitis & strep throat both which can adversely affect the immune system.
Prevention:
*Not much but increasing fluids- water or sparkling water has been shown, not proven, to help. Soft drinks only add to the problem, avoid those.
*Good oral hygiene using a non alcoholic rinse reduces bacteria.
**It should be noted that white spots or patches on the tonsils have been linked to cancer, although rare it would be wise to see a doctor just in case.

Answer 9

on the up side, it could be simply oral thrush, which is relativley mild, but still needs to be treated.

On the down side, t could be oral cancer and even though you feel fine now, you need to get it checked out before its too late.

In any case, a little visit to your doctor can do no harm

Answer 10

I get these when I have tonsillitis, but they don't go until I treat it with penicillin.