Tonsil stones are small, white or yellow lumps that can form in the tonsils, which are located at the back of the throat. They are composed of bacteria, mucus, and food particles. Tonsil stones can cause bad breath, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing. In some cases, they can also lead to more serious health problems, such as tonsillitis or peritonsillar abscess.
Dentists are trained to identify and remove tonsil stones. They can use a variety of techniques to do this, including: