The tonsils are filled with nooks and crannies where bacteria and other materials, including dead cells and mucous, can become trapped. When this happens, the debris can become concentrated in white to yellowish white color formations that occur in the pockets or tonsil crypts. When this trapped debris hardens or calcifies, it will form into tonsil stones, also called tonsilolliths. These usually occur most often in people who suffer from chronic inflammation in their tonsils or from the repeated bouts of tonsillitis.

While a lot of people only encounter small tonsil stones developing in their tonsils, it can be quite rare to have a large and solidified tonsilollith. Many of these small stones do not cause any symptoms. There were even some reported cases where the large stones are only discovered incidentally on X-rays or CT scans while some of these have multiple symptoms.

One of the prime indicators of tonsil stones is having an exceedingly bad breath or halitosis.  There is always a foul breath emanating from the mouth of the people who have such stones. This is because of the growth of anaerobic bacteria that produces these sulphur compounds. Such compounds are the leading causes of the bad breath. They even experience an unpleasant metallic taste in their mouth due to these stones.

Another common symptom of tonsil stones is having a great trouble in swallowing foods and liquids. There is a discomforting sensation in the throat due to the irritation caused by the rubbing of the stones with the throat. It may almost always give rise to swelling and the inflammation is mainly visible in the back of the throat. Because of the feeling of having the stone lodged in the throat, most of the people who suffer from these tonsil stones cough sporadically. There’s even some soreness which mainly arises due to intermittent coughing by the sufferers.

The formation of tonsil stones can be prevented by following a good dental hygiene. Brushing the teeth and cleaning the tongue regularly can help remove the bacteria that cause these stones. Nasal irrigation can be very useful. Gargling with a mouthwash or salt water on a regular basis helps loosen calcium deposits from the tonsil cavity. Smoking and alcohol must also be avoided to reduce the acid formation in the mouth and lower chances of tonsil stone formation. For patients that have a recurrent case of tonsil stones, they may need to go visit their dentist and have a talk about tonsillectomy operation.