Once in a while I get these small white round dots that appear on my tonsils and sometimes I even cough them up. They have an extremely strong odor. What are they and is this related to my breath and taste disorder?


Those little round globules are known as Tonsilloliths and they are most definitely related to Halitosis and sour taste. They are created by sulfur gases produced by these bacteria (which are located across from the tonsils in the throat area). The sulfur gas mixes with the mucous and thick saliva in the back of your throat and after a period of time, condense into these concentrated, odorous globs. They are only present when one has tonsils, but not in all cases.

I have had many patients who have actually had their tonsils removed due to misinformation from physicians about this problem. Of course, these patients still had bad breath after having the tonsillectomy, because BAD BREATH DOES NOT START IN THE TONSILS! (only on the back of the tongue). However, it can branch off into the tonsils, secondarily.
.