TonsilstonethumbIf you have looked in the mirror recently and seen little white spots you are probably wondering what they are and if they are serious or not.

Are they a form of strep throat? Perhaps it is a thrush infection in your mouth? Most likely the cause will be tonsilloliths.

Tonsilloliths or ‘tonsil stones’ form on the back of the throat and are made up of dead white blood cells and leftover food particles from your mouth.

Usually tonsil stones are accompanied by bad breath, and you will also have trouble swallowing. Many people also describe the sensation like they have something stuck in their throat that they can’t get rid of.

Tonsil stones are actually quite common and usually occur with people who have overactive saliva glands and large tonsils. They are not dangerous, but can be annoying and unpleasant. And of course the bad breath that accompanies them are often quite foul from the built up bacteria.

In the early stages, it’s usually possible to remove them yourself with a Q tip or soft toothbrush. But over time they can often harden which means you may need to get them surgically removed.

Good oral hygiene should keep those white spots at bay, so make sure you use a good toothpaste and mouthwash.