The Feeling That Something Is Stuck
One of the most characteristic complaints associated with tonsil stones is the sensation that something is lodged in the throat.
The stone may be extremely small, yet its location can make it surprisingly noticeable.
People may describe the feeling in different ways.
Some feel as though there is a small object sitting at the back of the throat. Others describe pressure, mild irritation, a scratchy sensation, or the need to swallow repeatedly.
The sensation may become particularly noticeable when swallowing.
A person may repeatedly drink water, cough, clear their throat, or swallow in an attempt to get rid of whatever seems to be there.
In some cases, the stone eventually dislodges on its own.
This may happen while coughing, gargling, brushing the teeth, or simply swallowing.
When the stone comes out, the sensation may disappear almost immediately.
That sudden improvement can provide an important clue about what was causing the irritation.
Bad Breath Can Be Another Important Clue
Tonsil stones are also strongly associated with bad breath, or halitosis.
This happens because bacteria can become concentrated inside the tonsillar crypts.
Some bacteria produce sulfur-containing compounds that have a strong, unpleasant odor. When a tonsil stone contains a significant amount of bacterial material, it can contribute to persistent bad breath.
This can be frustrating because someone may brush their teeth regularly and still notice an unpleasant odor.