You’re brushing your teeth, gargling, minding your own business, thinking you’re doing everything right for your oral health—then you cough, and suddenly there it is: a small, white or yellowish pebble with a smell so foul it feels almost unreal. If this has ever happened to you, you’ve just been introduced to the oddly unsettling world of tonsil stones, medically known as tonsilloliths. While they’re rarely dangerous, tonsil stones have a unique way of causing outsized discomfort, embarrassment, and frustration.

They’re infamous for causing persistent bad breath that doesn’t respond to brushing, a constant sensation of something stuck in the throat, and irritation that can linger for weeks or months. Many people feel alarmed the first time they encounter one, assuming it must be a sign of infection or serious illness. The reality is less frightening but no less annoying. Tonsil stones are extremely common, often misunderstood, and—most importantly—manageable with the right combination of knowledge, habits, and targeted care. Understanding what they are and why they form is the first step toward getting rid of them for good.