Sometimes I cough up whitish things.. what are they?

Question

They are small (about the size of half of a pea, or smaller - they range in size) and sort of off-white. They smell really strongly, like really bad breath. This happens maybe two or three times a month, but sometimes I'll go for several months without any.

Anyone know what they are?

Answer 1

A tonsillolith (also called tonsil stone or calculi of the tonsil or bad breath ball or stinky ball) is a piece (or more commonly, a cluster) of calcareous matter which forms in the rear of the mouth, in the crevasses (called "crypts") of the palatine tonsils (which are what most people commonly refer to as simply tonsils).

Tonsil stones, it is theorized, are the result of a combination of any of the following:

* food particles
* dead white blood cells (a.k.a. "leukocytes")
* oral bacteria, possibly from mouth breathing
* overactive salivary glands

They are described as having a pungent odor: halitosis concentrated into a small solid object. Visually, they may resemble sesame seeds in color and texture.

Protruding tonsilloliths have the feel of a foreign object, lodged between the outside of wisdom teeth and the temporomandibular joint region of the fleshed jaw. They may be an especially uncomfortable nuisance, but are not often harmful.

Answer 2

It could be mucus but because of the smell you have with it this needs to be evaluated by a dr to see what could be going on.

I was diagnosed with bronchitis this week and one of the symptoms I've had has been a nasty cough with yellowish mucus coming up, sometimes whitish in color.

Answer 3

they are called tonsilloliths, more commonly known as tonsil stones. they are completely harmless, usually due to mucus, food, cells, etc. getting caught in grooves in your tonsils. I get them also, over time theyve grown more and more frequent, where now i get them about every other day. using a water pick can help break up their formation so they don't get as bad

Answer 4

I have had that happen. I think it is basicly plaque ( like what you get on your teeth) build up but it gathers in little grooves in your tonsils and hardens. Then gets shaken loose. sounds gross i know. Gargleing (sp?) with salt water or mouth wash seems to help.

Answer 5

My chum has this right element! there's a sore or a wound on your throat, and this is, properly, form of contaminated, and the pus is bobbing up out of your mouth. it is what's maximum possibly, yet I advise you bypass see a doctor, or, in case you have no longer have been given a doctor, bypass to a well-being facility. wish you get extra suitable quickly. :)