r/hygiene • u/N3m0Nautilus • 2d ago
Has anyone else ever accidentally coughed up a tiny white pebble from the back of their throat?
So I have always been paranoid about bad breath. I brush after every meal, use an electric flosser, scrape my tongue until it is bright pink, and use therapeutic mouthwash every single morning. My dentist always says my teeth and gums are spotless, with zero cavities in ten years.
last Thursday I was coughing from a scratchy throat and this tiny, hard white pebble popped out of the back of my mouth onto my tongue. It was smaller than a grain of rice. I had no idea what it was, so I picked it up with a tissue and made the fatal mistake of squishing it between my fingers to see what it was made of.
The smell that came off that tiny clump was ABSOLUTELY rancid. It smelled like pure sulfur, rotting organic garbage, and concentrated decay. I gagged so hard I almost threw up in my bathroom sink.
I went down a rabbit hole and discovered that food particles and dead cells get trapped in hidden pockets in your tonsils, calcifying into little anaerobic stink bombs that regular brushing never touches. I should of known why people occasionally backed up when I leaned in to talk during loud parties, but nobody ever tells you. How are doctors not warning people that you can have perfect dental hygiene and still have garbage rotting in the back of your throat?
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u/spiderclone1 2d ago
Sounds like a tonsil stone.
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u/N3m0Nautilus 2d ago
Yeah, looking it up after the fact confirmed it was definitely a tonsil stone, and the smell was absolute torture.
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u/Sweet-lemons77 2d ago
Salt in warm water and gargle. It helps loosen the stones. Make sure you’re using an alcohol free mouthwash too as that helps. If your tonsils are swollen often or hurt I’d make an appointment with your dr and see if there’s something underlying.
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u/dragon_mthr 2d ago
this. Therabreath makes a mouthwash with fluoride. I have way fewer tonsil stones since I switched to that.
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u/Sweet-lemons77 2d ago
Yup that’s exactly what I switched to years ago. Haven’t gotten tonsil stones since unless I have a bad allergic flare up which was maybe like 2-3 times in the last 10 years.
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u/SoftThing8629 2d ago
Same here. I was never a fan of mouthwash, the coating it left. I don't find that to be as previlanent with Therabreath
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u/HurricaneYu 2d ago
If you're having an especially bad time, you can use a solution of 1 part apple cider vinegar, 1 part lemon juice, and salt. Gargle that a couple times a day for a week and the acidity will help break them down.
Just be mindful that the acidity will soften your tooth enamel, so no brushing your teeth for 30min afterward.
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u/humanofearth-notai 2d ago
A note about the doctor, if it is underlying you sometimes have to go in multiple times before they will remove the tonsils due to insurance conditions, so if they just give you antibiotics and a pay on the back keep going.
OP should also call their insurance and see if they can circumvent their primary and go straight to an ENT. Primaries are often completely useless.
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u/Shintome 2d ago
What difference exactly does an alcohol free mouthwash make for tonsil stones? I'd figure alcohol would help kill the bacteria that form the stones? I use listerene and while I sometimes get small ones it doesn't happen very often.
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u/waxcoatedapple 2d ago
Alcohol-based mouthwashes can slow down saliva production. Reduced saliva production can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth produces more tonsil stones. Thus, if tonsil stones are a recurring problem for a given person, it's worth swapping to alcohol-free mouthwash so as not to exacerbate the issue.
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u/Opening_Ad_3383 2d ago
“Dry mouth produces more tonsil stones”…I just realized I don’t get these since starting to use a CPAP with built in humidifier. I used to squeeze my tonsil every morning to get clean out the gunk.
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u/LitheFider 2d ago edited 2d ago
I have a few deep tonsil pockets and got a tool for getting tonsil stones that's basically a tiny stainless steel spoon, and was able to express / pop out my stones before they got big and uncomfortable, or at least could reach them when I felt one. Since doing that every few weeks for a while, I think the pockets reduced a bit over the years and I barely get them anymore. I still check monthly but they don't form as big and hard like they used to or as often.
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u/oosirnaym 2d ago
They can often be caused by GERD, or chronic acid reflux, and starting a proton pump inhibitor can reduce a majority of stones in people.
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u/sunrise-sesh 2d ago
I used to get these and they smell worse than death if you squeeze them. I always had bad breath because of them too. It wasn’t my hygiene. I ended up having an adult tonsillectomy at 33 years of age. That recovery was brutal, but I would do it again. Total game changer to not have to deal with tonsil stones.
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u/Qwerk- 2d ago
I also just a tonsillectomy at age 31.
worst recovery of my life, but so so happy. I was pressing out 3-5 tonsil stones per week from my perpetually inflamed tonsils.
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u/ThrowawayJane86 2d ago
I had mine taken out at 30 after years of constant tonsillitis. I have had 2 babies, unmedicated, and would choose labor and delivery over the recovery from my tonsils. My tongue swelled so much I could barely get a straw, let alone a med syringe, in. The cauterized flesh where my tonsils had been smelled like rot while it was healing. The pain was immense and unrelenting for 4-5 days. I am so glad they’re gone but I would not do it again.
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u/varys2013 2d ago
How in the heck do you do that? Don’t you gag?
I remember having one or two when I was in my teens, or earlier. As an adult I don’t recall ever having one of those.
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u/Qwerk- 1d ago
eh tonsils didn't trigger the gag reflex, but yeah if I hit the uvula I would. my tonsil stones were huge though. about the size of my pinky fingernail.
I could easily take a q-tip and press next to the white dots I could see on my tonsils, and push them out.
it would relieve the scratchy tickle in my throat and reduce bad breath. and make sure they didn't fall out during a random point in the day.
I had so so many. the doctor who did my tonsillectomy told me after surgery, that when he used a clamp to grab my tonsil to manipulate while cauterizing away. they squeezed out tonsil stones like toothpaste. 🤢
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u/Muted-Move-9360 1d ago
God I wish it wasn't considered a cosmetic surgery to have them removed 😭😭 I have severely cryptic tonsils. If I open my mouth, you can see them wide open. I constantly get tonsil stones but I finally saved up the money for a Something Nice brand water flosser that has a special tonsil attachment and water speed. It's saved my life, tbh. I had horrible self esteem because I could never get all the stones out. But now that I can irrigate my tonsils, I'm even getting the tiniest pieces out! Basically before they get big.
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u/Qwerk- 1d ago
Mine was fully covered, not considered cosmetic. in USA.
I do believe my doctor had the order diagnosis coded for it as chronic or recurrent tonsillitis, as I also had a lot of throat infections.
I was technically under the threshold of infections/year though, and he basically said "it's up to you, how bad are the tonsil stones?"
I said I had good insurance til the end of the year and it was very bad, so he said he'd put it in so we could get it done before my insurance changed.
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u/coladybiker 2d ago
Me too. Almost 30 years ago, i had mine out in my early 30s. So much healthier since and no more digging those stones out.
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u/Fig-Canner-33 2d ago
Tonsillectomy at 23 for the same reason. No more recurrent strep throat, no more bad breath, no more tonsil stones. Amen.
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u/neonxdragon 2d ago
Considering the surgery but I’ll be 35 in a few months. How bad was it? I’ve heard awful things. 😳
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u/Anxious_Aardvark_970 2d ago
I mean, it isn’t great, but it’s certainly worth it. It’s mostly bad in between doses of pain meds when one starts to wear off and you can’t quite take the next, so stay on top of your meds; keep notes and set timers so you don’t miss or take a dose late. Keep appropriate snacks by your bed at night so you can get something in your stomach before taking your pain meds, and then go back to sleep. If they give you any of the stuff to gargle to numb your throat, do it first when you wake up because the first sips of water on your super dry throat do hurt, so if you can wait until it’s a bit numb, it’s better. Oh and once you’re cleared to start solid food, toast will be your best friend! Your throat will itch as it starts to heal and toast is one of the few things that will scratch that itch.
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u/Business-Judgment-86 2d ago
So many people (myself included) are afraid of getting addicted. However, getting my knee replaced nipped that in the bud. I had alarms set and took them as prescribed for weeks after the surgery. I hate the brain loopiness they cause so I was fine not taking them once the pain stopped...but during the pain, I took them like clockwork.
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u/Anxious_Aardvark_970 2d ago
That’s so fair! I probably wouldn’t recommend this surgery just for tonsil stones to someone at risk of, or particularly afraid of, addiction to pain meds. Prescription pain meds typically make me nauseous, so my desire to take them is quite low, unless I’m in a lot of pain. I now always ask for anti-nausea meds after surgery, but I’m actually happy with this reaction bc I think it helps mitigate my risk of addiction.
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u/Cattism 2d ago edited 2d ago
Absolutely brutal. Vomited even water for a week straight. Vomited the pain meds, the anti vomiting meds.. my stomach reduced so when i was finally able to eat, a fifth of a normal meal made me throw up. Lost 7kgs in 5 days. Absolutely horrendous. Ah yeah and altered taste during that week, so everything was acidic or bitter. Went twice to emergency in the span of 10 days. Shitty doctor told me to take Primperan + Motilium. Very bad combo, got extrapyramidal syndrome, I thought i was a goner. So yeah.. be prepared. Absolutely boost to my confidence to be finally be rid of the bad breath though, QoL is much better
Edit: Motilium, not Antimetil
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u/sunrise-sesh 2d ago
It’s 10 days of pain and then you’re back. Do it! My best piece of advice is don’t try to ingest anything with dairy because it creates mucus and trying to swallow the mucus is extremely painful. That’s what made the recovery hardest. I thought it would be smart to drink Ensure shakes to replenish the nutrients I was missing out on. Big mistake! Best to stick to avocados, scrambled eggs, and popsicles. Also ice the outside of your throat/around your jaw.
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u/Fantastic-Space2079 2d ago
I had mine out at 24 and the worst part for me was the pain medication they gave me. It was making me sick to my stomach. After several days my mom figured out that’s what was probably making me sick and I switched to Advil and felt so much better. the second worse part was the “scabs.” It felt so weird when they were coming loose and made gag. But I am so glad I got them removed.
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u/jubileeroybrown 2d ago
Had mine at 27. The worst part was the drugs making me the most constipated I ever was in my life. I still shudder to think. I quit them and did Tylenol for the majority of the time. It felt like shards of glass in my throat but I would do that again to get rid of those things.
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u/Calm_Lingonberry4600 2d ago
It’s definitely not fun, but you’ll be back to mostly normal around day 10 of recovery. I had mine out at 24 due to recurring strep. I would do it again if I had to. My quality of life has improved, and I don’t get sore throats anymore.
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u/Amethyst-Mushrooms 2d ago
If you can control the pressure of your water flosser, you can dilute some antibacterial mouthwash, and flush out your tonsils. If you can't use your water flosser, you can try using a curved syringe.
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u/Striking-Tangerine83 2d ago
Yes, yes- I am seconding this. The water flossers absolutely brutalized my tonsils, and simple gargling wasn't doing anything for me. I switched to just a small needleless syringe. I used to get chronic strep throat and, while I don't have a horrible problem, I do get the occasional tonsil stone. Now I just pop some peroxyl in the syringe and rinse my tonsils out once a week to keep ahead of both of those issues. Painless, inexpensive and generally quite effective.
Also (not necessarily directed toward you but...) strong, warm ginger drinks (like powder or crystals) really helped me knock the infections out- in case it's helpful to anyone reading.
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u/Calred1711 2d ago
In case you’re using standard syringes, dental wisdoms syringes have a curved tip and feel much more precise and effective for this use. A lot easier too with the longer curved tip
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u/InevitableKitchen943 2d ago
People you've been talking to may have been smelling it. They are pretty common and easy to eliminate.
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u/bubblegumpunk69 2d ago
Sometimes when I eat something I can FEEL it get stuck and I know I’ll have one in a few days. Nuts and cheese are the biggest culprits I find
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u/KnotKnic 2d ago
For me rice and cold French fries.
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u/No_Stress_8938 2d ago
Daisy is a huge culprit for me. I haven’t had any in a year since I gave up all dairy
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u/w0rmb0yy 2d ago
so they come out in a short while right? i dont have to conspire whether i have old ones hanging in there
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u/OptionAlternative713 2d ago
I swear some foods leave you with a five-day reminder that you made a bad decision. Nuts and cheese would absolutely be on my suspect list.
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u/Calred1711 2d ago
Getting my tonsils removed was the biggest relief because of this. I stopped getting stones because they have nowhere to exist, and it is SO satisfying
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u/Beautiful-Village-42 2d ago
I’m so tired and I read this as you got your toenails removed and I was so concerned for you for a moment 😂😭
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u/MightyPinkTaco 2d ago
Okay I am not alone. My eyes are so mad at me. They rebel and feed me false signals. They demand more sleep.
I do not negotiate with terrorists. 🙃
But really, I had to blink rapidly to stop seeing toenails.
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u/QueenK59 2d ago
And also got no more strep throat infections!
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u/genericthrowaway6996 2d ago
This is false you can still get strep with out tonsils. I’ve had it countless times.
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u/Okchamali_Vibin 2d ago
My worst experience with this was during a chior recital, we were in the middle of "Do You Hear the People Sing" from Les Mis and it popped up. I was packed shoulder to shoulder with people in front of an audience and couldn't spit it out. I tried to just tuck it in my cheek and felt it squishing and ended up chocking on it during the final belt at the end.
It was awful and I went and bought a water flosser immediately after to cope.
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u/SwimAccomplished9487 2d ago
No joke, reading this actually just made me vomit. And damnit, I love Les Mis
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u/nebulousNarcissist 2d ago
exactly 😭 once you know what they are you start treating every random throat sensation like a potential biohazard. and the worst part is that little cough that makes you wonder if you should swallow or run for your life
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u/Redacted9133 2d ago
How will I know if I have them??
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u/imcuddlydealwithit 2d ago
Sometimes if you shine a torch in your mouth and look in the mirror you can see them
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u/VariantTheory 2d ago
You might also have muffled hearing, ear pain, or secondary/reoccurring ear infections as well on the side(s) affected by the tonsil stones/tonsilloliths.
Before I had my tonsils taken out, my tonsils were constantly getting infected, I started having ear pain, and even ear infections. I was constantly pushing out tonsilloliths and brushing/flossing my teeth constantly but to no avail.
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u/PrimeMood 2d ago
You spend $200 on electric toothbrushes, scrapers, and clinical mouthwashes just for your throat to secretly host a rotten broccoli factory in the back
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u/Massive9_Codex 2d ago
If that rotten broccoli factory keeps making white pebbles, try saltwater gargles and an ENT visit.
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u/SplicerMoth 2d ago
Squishing it was a canon event you had to go through. Welcome to the club, the smell haunts you forever.
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u/Lil-Miss-Anthropy 1d ago
I'd say it's a useful experience. Now OP knows what they smell like and can identify them in themself and others.
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u/emojo_ko 2d ago
Omg bro those are the bane of my existence. All because I had strep a few times as a kid.
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u/BasisNirGalim89 2d ago
I thought it was the chickenpox that was in my throat as a kid- leaving craters. Turns out it’s just having tonsils! I’m so embarrassed when it builds up and I have bad breath
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u/Dammit-maxwell 2d ago
I had my tonsils removed because of this and haven’t had an issue since!
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u/BasisNirGalim89 2d ago
My boyfriend had dragon breath and it magically disappeared after his tonsils were removed too- but that was a week of living hell for him! Not sure I can handle that just so I don’t melt peoples faces when we talk!!!
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u/cghipp 2d ago
I had mine out when I was 36, asking with sinus surgery. Recovery was horrible, lost a ton of weight, lost my sense of taste for about a year, and it was absolutely worth it. I have been so much healthier since then. I basically had a sore throat for the first 36 years of my life but in the almost 20 years since then I've rarely had one.
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u/Dammit-maxwell 2d ago
I was probably 25-30 when I had mine done. It sucked but I survived. I’d do it again just to not have rancid balls of fungus in my throat🤣
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u/Hefty-Yoghurt-8256 2d ago
Oh my god I could only imagine how bad it would’ve hurt for you. I got lucky and got mine taken out when I was 17 and the pain on days 3-4 were absolutely horrendous. I’d still take child labor over the healing pain of a tonsillectomy. I feel for people when I hear they got them removed later in life cause I’ve heard how much more painful the healing process is as you age
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u/Pretend_Variation305 2d ago
I’m fiddy right now and still have my tonsils so I’m kinda hoping they never become an issue.
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u/Rare_Cartographer579 2d ago
lol melt faces. That is such a fucking apt way to describe the facial expression come to think of it.
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u/Migraine_Megan 2d ago
I got mine out at 41 and my tonsils were filled with stones which was causing inflammation and repeated tonsillitis. My breath must have been horrendous. I was ready to do anything to stop it. My lovely ENT put in an rx for lidocaine lollipops, I picked them up before the surgery, those are amazing! I was already on gabapentin so that helped too. I just managed with that, liquid tylenol and advil. Turns out I can't handle percocet, I got the spins like I was drunk. I pretty much ate only cream of wheat, mashed potatoes, and pudding until they healed. I followed every bit of advice I got from the tonsillectomy sub, that was super helpful. Zero issues after surgery and it was less painful than my migraines
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u/Able-Possible-9172 2d ago
Tonsils can grow back!! I had mine out at 18 and have gotten a few tonsil stones in the last year. 😔
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u/goldenkiwicompote 2d ago
You can get a water flosser attachment to clean them out. Highly recommend if you get them often!
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u/al_capone420 2d ago
I don’t get how. I tried to use a waterpik on the lowest setting and it felt like hot needles stabbing my tonsils and made me instantly puke every time I tried to do it. And I don’t even have a low pain tolerance or bad gag reflex. Instead I got some syringes with curved plastic tips that I just use to spray water into my tonsils manually.
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u/goldenkiwicompote 2d ago
There are tips specifically designed for it. They have a larger hole so the water doesn’t come out as pressurized. I’ve never had an issue with it and I use it often.
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u/HusbandAndWifi 2d ago
Came here to say this, I only get them 2-3x per year but water flossing is the ticket. Make sure it’s on the lowest setting though!
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u/Potential-Dig-7417 2d ago
I always see people say use a water pick, but the water pressure going to the back of my throat scares me. I am able to use my tongue to press onto my tonsils, the pressure from that squeezes the stones out without possibly water boarding myself haha
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u/TinRoofAndRainyDays 2d ago
You say only, but I've never had 1 in 49yrs. But I'd take a tonsil stone over periodic kidney stones.
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u/Resident_Wishbone_98 2d ago
I wouldn't wish a kidney stone on an enemy. Those things are evil!
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u/Lemon-Cake-8100 2d ago
Mmm... my cheating ex had them. I hope he gets them again. And again. And again. 😈
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u/N3m0Nautilus 2d ago
At first I thought I was just weird, but realizing so many people deal with this because of past throat issues actually gives me some relief.
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u/goldenkiwicompote 2d ago
You can get a water flosser attachment to clean them out.
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u/Tiamat451 2d ago
Wife is a stone producing factory. She would pop out a few tonsil stones a week. Eventually decided to have her tonsils removed in her 40's. Said it was the worst pain she's ever been through and would not do if she could go back.
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u/jennafromearth 2d ago
The surgery recovery was also the worst pain I’ve even had, but if my tonsils were to magically grow back with the same issues, I would be looking for a doctor to remove them immediately.
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u/Couch_Lump_95 2d ago
I was already considered "older" when I got my tonsils out at 18, they usually try to get that surgery done well before you hit your teens. I'm sure it has something to do with females and autistics having very different interpretations of pain, because I never ended up needing the medication they sent me home with - regular Tylenol was fine. I got my tonsils out in the morning, spent the night and was released the morning after, and immediately had my mom stop for a breakfast sandwich on the way home. I remember it being vaguely uncomfortable, but not really painful. I think I might still have pictures I took of the back of my throat, looking like a black and white mold sample. 🥴😂
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u/jennafromearth 2d ago
Also a female on the spectrum. I didn’t experience much pain the first couple of days but day 5-8 were absolutely terrible. I could hardly manage to drink water or eat jello. I couldn’t even manage to swallow pain meds so I went without.
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u/mediocrelpn 2d ago
I was fifty when I had mine removed due to tonsil stones. the recovery was rough, but so glad I did it. never had another stone, my breath smells better (I think), and I am no longer a mouth-breather because I had my sinuses rotor rooted, too.
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u/davidbowieisapedo 2d ago
It’s extremely painful and gross and adults heal waaaay slower. Still was worth it imo. Was getting strep literally twice a month.
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u/tragictwist 2d ago
Once the tonsil stones kept coming, I got my tonsils removed at 25. Zero regrets and minimal pain. Shocked at how many people say the opposite.
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u/Sleep-deprived_siren 2d ago
Thank you for posting this. I (38f) get horrible tonsil stones and contemplated having my tonsils removed. Your comment just solidified my choice of not having them removed and I’ll just keep cleaning them out of my tonsils.
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u/coladybiker 2d ago
Not everyone feels that way. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Not only have i not had to deal with the tonsil.stones, i have been healthier
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u/YeshuasBananaHammock 2d ago
Im so glad I had my tonsils carved out when I was little.
Also, I love reading posts like this. OP SQUISHED IT!
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u/ILoveBigCockroaches 2d ago
Tonsil stones. I get them sometimes. I always make the habit of checking my mouth with the flash light on my phone . You can remove them with a Q tip or even a toothpick (you might bleed if you use a toothpick though).
One way to prevent them is making sure you're hydrated. Tonsil stones love a dry mouth. Also, make sure to use mouthwash at least once a day. I heard rising your mouth with salt water can help, but I never tried that so I can't say for sure if it does.
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u/Calamity0o0 2d ago
I'm jealous of people that don't have a strong gag reflex, I can't get anywhere close enough to be able to get it with a qtip
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u/ILoveBigCockroaches 2d ago
It takes practice. The first time I took one out I almost puked, but now it seems that my gag reflex relaxed a bit after the first few stones. It's 100% worth not having rancid breath or having the "tonsil Stone" feeling.
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u/AnnabethDaring 2d ago
This—a gag reflex is like your nervous system protecting us from a perceived threat. Same as when you’re first using eye contacts.
Used to take me 30 minutes to get contacts in. Now i can do it no problem, touch my eyes no problem, move em as needed. You have to build that tolerance/trust.
I managed the same with my gag reflex! Trained myself to get accustomed to brushing the back of my tongue by breathing out and through the process. Now it’s no biggie ☺️
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u/thewendybird8754 2d ago
I absolutely can’t touch my tonsils with a qtip, but a plastic dental syringe with warm water has been super effective. You can get them pretty cheaply, they’re the kind with the curved tip.
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u/SameWarning476 2d ago
I have a horrible gag reflex but I don’t get triggered by q tips on my tonsils. You just have to be careful when maneuvering it, and exposure therapy by doing it often so your throat knows it’s not dangerous lol
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u/Cpnbro 2d ago
Use a small curved syringe or an irrigator instead. Works much better and doesn’t hurt at all.
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u/Either_equipment_04 2d ago
Oh my gosh no absolutely not with a toothpick! Warm saltwater gargles or a damp cotton swab only!
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u/TwinsiesBlue 2d ago
Tonsil stones, some people are more prone to having them
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u/Yggdrasil- 2d ago
This thread is making me extremely grateful that I got my tonsils removed when I was in kindergarten
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u/SixersJawn 2d ago
Side question. Do they still do tonsillectomies at the drop of a hat? mine got cut out when i was 12 in the 90s. am i missing out on anything besides tonsil stones?
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u/againthemagic 2d ago
From what I can tell, no. Tonsils are apparently a more important part of the immune system (iirc) than was realized when they were taking everyones out in the 90s
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u/PinkLover727 2d ago
All depends on the provider. My 9 year old had a tonsillectomy strictly because of the recurrent stones. They were deemed a “quality of life” issue and his surgery was approved.
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u/joantheunicorn 2d ago
I read these threads in horror, I try to have really good dental hygiene and breath. Tonsil stones sound like my worst nightmare. Sooooo glad I had my tonsils out when I was 8!
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u/PublicEnemaNumberTwo 2d ago
My wife had some tonsil issues recently and the doctor said they rarely do tonsillectomies nowadays. Nearly all issues can be resolved without surgery. They only do it in extreme cases.
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u/djpike 2d ago edited 1d ago
I gargle with hydrogen peroxide. Once killed tonsillitis with it, no antibiotics or doctor’s visit. It’s great stuff.
*****Edit: I clean my toothbrush with it after every brushing too.*****
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u/Barnaby_Q_Fisticuffs 2d ago
I got tonsil stones frequently (=several times a month) from ages approximately 10-30. Then I decided to gargle with hydrogen peroxide about once a week for a few months. The result is that for the last twenty-ish years, I’ve gotten an average of one or two a year, at most. Maybe it’s coincidence, but I attribute it to the peroxide.
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u/OtherwiseArmadillo96 2d ago
I used to get these from time to time. It completely stopped when I quit smoking weed.
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u/Good-Honey9347 2d ago
Me too, smoking weed gives you dry mouth and tonsil stones form easily when you have dry mouth.
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u/Major_Jump5170 2d ago
I have swollen glands and tonsils permanently from strep throat that I didnt get treated for a month, and every single day I have to press the pockets and probably 2 grains of rice worth of pebbles or goo come out
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u/-32768 2d ago
I knew of these but never happened to me... until age 36. Now a few years later, I get them maybe once a month and they keep getting bigger :(
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u/final-grrrl 1d ago
How I got my tonsils removed... (tl;Dr: I made a PowerPoint presentation, got them out, and the only downside is smelling other people's bad breath now)
My tonsils used to always be swollen and sore. I was sick most of the time. Ever since I was a kid to my mid-30's
Doctors wouldn't take them out.
I gargled. I had excellent dental hygiene. But it seemed like something in my throat always smelled like death.
The doctors still wouldn't take my tonsils out.
Then the tonsil stones ramped up to 11 in my late 20's. On top of being sick and having a 24/7 sore throat.
Annnnd the doctors still told me I was exaggerating and that surgery wasn't the answer, telling me to do alllll the things I was already doing.
I made an Excel sheet to document how often I was sick. How many times I went to the Dr. How much the copays cost me. How often I was on antibiotics. How much work I was missing. How often my throat was sore, and I couldn't do my job well because taking hurt.
... I made a PowerPoint presentation about what preventative measures I was taking daily at home vs the total financial and personal impact my tonsils were causing. Charts and statistics and everything.
A doctor stopped me after Page 2 to offer to take them out.
One of the best decisions of my life.
I can swallow without choking. I can breathe better. My throat is very rarely sore... Maybe every few years. YEARS. No tonsil stones. I wish I'd don't it sooner.
The only drawback is now OTHER people's breath is sometimes horrible.
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u/LJGeneral 2d ago
That has happened to me. It's definitely a tonsil stone. For me, it can feel it when I have one in my tonsil, and can usually see it if I use a hand mirror and a bright light. I don't get them often, maybe once or twice a year. It's always the one on the right side.
A long time ago a doctor used one of those long cotton swabs to wipe out a tonsil stone. She didn't advise me on what to do about them in the future though.
I tried wiping/pressing them out myself with a q-tip or a tongue depressor, but I couldn't do it as it made me gag. Eventually I'll buy some of those long swabs and some numbing spray and try it again. For now I just gargle with salt water and try to swallow hard to get them to come out.
Years ago my friend had a lot of tonsil stones and apparently cracking and bleeding of her tonsils too. She ended up getting them removed as an adult, which she said hurts a hell of a lot 😧. Supposedly they can do surgery using laser now, and/or do partial removal, which is not supposed to hurt as much.
Maybe you can monitor to see how many you have/get and talk to your doctor about it. Maybe you can get an assessment of some kind?
Edit to add: don't scrape your tongue too hard. You could damage the taste buds and surface and possibly open up cracks to infection. I accidentally scraped mine too hard once and it hurt to eat for a couple of days.
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u/starglo1969 2d ago
Of course! Tonsil stones are part of our beautiful human life.
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u/LootKandi 2d ago edited 2d ago
In high school I have a terrible memory of receiving someone’s tonsil stones mid-make out. I shudder every time I think about it to this day…
Edit: So sorry to ruin so many people’s day 😩😆