What is a sulfur buildup behind a tonsil?

Answer 1

It sounds like what you may be talking about is what is usually called a tonsil stone. They usually appear as small white or yellowish lumps, and are usually caused my sulfur emitting bacteria.

When a tiny particle of food get stuck in a tonsil crypt ( a small pit-like opening on your tonsil). Because it is a foreign object, your body builds a wall of minerals and white blood cells around it, walling it off from the body and protecting it from harm.

Sometimes, when the lump has been there for a while, it collects bacteria from your mouth, and that bacteria gets stuck in the crypt too. The bacteria starts digesting and multiplying, and giving off sulferous fumes, usually resulting in bad breath, or a fecal smell to the breath.

Tonsil stones are medically harmless, and usually will work themselves out of the crypt, normally going unnoticed because they are coughed out, or many times swallowed.

While normally harmless, they are unsettling for many. Besides causing bad breath, many people will feel like there is a "lump" in the throat, and it may cause a person to cough in an effort to clear the lump.

Gargling salt water or non-alcohol or sugar-free mouthwash is sometimes helpful to aid in clearing the stones. If there is pain or swelling associated with the stones, or the tonsils become enlarged, it is a good idea to see you physician.

Stones may be removed if visible, carefully, with an ear curette, a small metal stick with a metal loop on the end, or by pressing on the bottom of the tonsil, sometimes causing the stone to pop out.

While generally harmless, and a normal immune system response, stones can be bothersome. Tonsil removal is rarely ideal, as the tonsils do play a role in health and are an important weapon in fighting infection, but if you feel there is a need for concern, or notice any swelling or redness, a consultation with your physician is recommended.