white chunks on tonsils

I use to have this problem all the time. AND get strep throat quite a bit. My dr recommended getting them taken out. So I got them taken out several years ago. I was 18 when I had my tonsillectomy and I will say the operation is absolutely terrible the older you are. I had to have 2 additional emergency surgeries because my throat started bleeding randomly. It was a nightmare! But God helped me through it. I don't recommend a tonsillectomy however if you are over 18! Unless it is absolutely necessary. Best wishes!

I experienced the same thing when I was in high school.  I was told that it was food particles as well, but by the time I was 17 I was using a flat popsicle stick to remove them from my throat weekly, always aware they were there when I would develop a bad taste in my mouth.  Although not painful, very smelly.  I too had multiple rounds of tonsil issues and antibiotics as a child.  When I finally went in to have them removed, they fell apart in surgery because they were rotten.  This led to my throat being carved out so to speak so they could remove all the tonsils parts.  Recovery was long, but very glad I proceeded with the proceedure, no more throat issues since. 

Please don't go to such an extreme. From what I can tell, both from research and personal experience, is that the white stuff is a result of your tonsils doing their job (taking the toxins out of your body). If you quit putting toxins in your body that you can avoid, then you won't have this issue and you can keep your tonsils for the benefit that they provide your body. I was able to almost completely eliminate these things when I removed MSG out of my diet. That means: 1) don't eat out at restaurants you aren't sure about (almost all fast food has msg, and many non-fast has it, asking is the best way to find out. If you're not sure, choose something that MSG wouldn't normally be used on); 2) check all packaged foods that you buy for MSG or monosodium glutimate - after awhile you get good at this and don't have to check often anymore. The worst packaged foods I've found are soups and quick meals like hamburger helper and ramen, but some chips and snack foods can be bad. This sounds like a big lifestyle change, but little by little it gets easier and then you don't even have to think about it.

man.. I'm so glad I'm not the only one with this problem. I was so scared if it was some disease!! I pick the white stuff out too.. it smells soooo nasty.. 

These are actually very commonly referred to as tonsil stones. they are most prevelent during adolesence as the tonsils are larger but unless they are obstructing the airway they are not dangerous. they are a mix of bacteria, food debris, white blood cells and other stuff that calcify

i have them as well, they are so annoying, right now my left tonsil is inflamed and swolen, the white stuff is constantly coming out and it really hurts. it hurts so badly that i am crying right now, and i DO NOT cry, so this is serious. does anybody know how to help? its swelled to twice the size as the other one and the holes are getting bigger but more inflamed, do i need to see a doctor.

I had the same problem of yours like once a week for a year in my left tonsil. It smells yucky!!! I did the same thing but I used the toothpick very carefully until those white chunks come out. I thought I was the only one who have had this...

Have you haf the issue where one tonsil is doing it and than part of it becomes a gabbing crater in ur tonsil and now my other one has started today i thought i was the only one but. I thought mt tonsil was deteriorating like when u bite part of your tongue it turns white than falls out due to lack of blood flow to the area. Im scared my tonsil may fall out on its own one day hopefully not while sleeping

I've used the bobby pin method for years and I agree--it works like a charm.

I am 66 years old in very good general health, on Medicare and had my tonsils removed seven days ago on account of those white particles forming, more on one tonsil which was also enlarged but lately forming more frequently on the other tonsil. My ENT, an excellent doctor, told me I could live with the nuisance of it or I could have the tonsils removed. He warned me it would be a painful operation. I chose the surgery. I figured it was easier to be miserable for 10 to 14 days than to put up with the rotten smelling white junk on the tonsils for the rest of my life. I wished I had done it sooner but I had a catastrophic health insurance plan prior to 2014 with a $10.000 deductible and I simply could not afford it. If you decide to go ahead with the tonsillectomy, make sure you have an excellent ENT and that you follow all of the post-surgery instructions that are given to you. Ice chips work great after the surgery. C.

I use a water pick and turn the volume down to the lowest setting. This removes them very effectively. It is best to do this first thing in the morning before you have eaten or drank anything. The only problem I have is this makes me gag so sometimes I only do one side at a time.

You are hilarious. Hot dog

I have had these for 30 years. Save your co-pay money and use a flashlight to shine into your throat and a q-tip to gently push your tonsil tissue below the ball (pushing up) or above the ball (pushing down) to dislodge the white ball. Don't push directly on the ball because you will push it inside the tonsil rather than pushed it out of the tonsil. Once you start to dislodge it, if you are still having trouble getting it out, bend over and cough it out (use a tissue to catch it and you will know if you were successful). They are uncomfortable at times because it feels like you have something stuck in your throat. I am still here 30 years later and take care of it myself when necessary.

I have had these for 30 years. Save your co-pay money and use a flashlight to shine into your throat and a q-tip to gently push your tonsil tissue below the ball (pushing up) or above the ball (pushing down) to dislodge the white ball. Don't push directly on the ball because you will push it inside the tonsil rather than push it out of the tonsil. Once you start to dislodge it, if you are still having trouble getting it out, bend over and cough it out (use a tissue to catch it and you will know if you were successful). They are uncomfortable at times because it feels like you have something stuck in your throat. I am still here 30 years later and take care of it myself when necessary.

When i had this i went to the doctors and had strep throat