If you’ve ever coughed, sneezed, or even laughed a little too hard and suddenly felt a strange object dislodge from the back of your throat, you’re not alone — and you’re not imagining things. That odd, small, white or yellow lump that smells terrible and feels gritty? It’s most likely a tonsil stone, also known medically as a tonsillolith.
Let’s break down exactly what these bizarre little formations are, why they happen, and what you can do about them — especially if you’re one of the many people who experience them more often than they’d like to admit.