Tonsil stones form when debris gets trapped in small pockets in the tonsils and then hardens over time into little calcified lumps.
What tonsil stones are
Tonsil stones (tonsilloliths) are small lumps made of trapped material like food particles, dead cells, mucus, and bacteria that sit in the crevices (crypts) of the tonsils. This debris can then mineralize, especially with calcium, turning into firm or sometimes soft “stones.”
How they form
The tonsils are designed with nooks and folds to catch germs and help the immune system, but the same structure can catch extra debris that does not get washed away by saliva or swallowing. When this material stays in the crypts, bacteria and fungi grow on it as a biofilm, and minerals deposit on it until it calcifies into a stone.
Why some people get them more
Several factors make tonsil stones more likely:
- Large or deeply pitted tonsils that trap more debris.
- Chronic or repeated tonsillitis, which can scar or enlarge crypts and create more holes for material to collect.
- Poor oral hygiene, chronic sinus/post‑nasal drip, smoking, dry mouth, or mouth breathing, all of which increase debris and bacterial build‑up in the throat.
Common symptoms
Many tonsil stones cause no symptoms, but larger or multiple stones can lead to:
- Persistent bad breath due to sulfur‑producing bacteria in the stones.
- A feeling of something stuck in the throat, irritation, sore throat, or visible white/yellow lumps on the tonsils.
If you have frequent stones, bad breath that does not improve with good oral hygiene, or pain or trouble swallowing, a clinician or ENT specialist should evaluate your tonsils.
