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Avatar universal

I'm in need of help... Filth emminating from the mouth

I've been worried a lot by my problem in regards to my breath... I could say I'm totally Hygienic when it comes to mouthcare. I've consulted a lot of dentists, and doctors but whatever they do and prescribe, it just won't give any fruitful result. About some time ago I started to cough out white yellowish spots w/c comes in various sizes... I smelled it, and and found it to be of the most awful smell I've encountered emminating from a mouth. One time I examined my throat and looking for any signs of where the awful stuff might have come from, using a cotton swab I gave a little push in my tonsils and there, came from the tonsilar crypts a series of what I've found before. I tried to push it again a number of times and it gave out a pretty huge amount of... should I say filth. I certainly hope someone out there might be able to help me on knowing what the dots are and what I should do... I gave it heck of a gargle using some promising mouthwashes but it doesn't seem to be enough.... Please help I'm totally in desperate mode all the time, I'm a nursing student and hoping a solution to my problem could be a solution to some others out there too...
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Avatar universal
I too have this problem.  I am 31, mother of 2 and have had the problem as far back as I can remember.  It has probably been there for a long time, but I really started noticing it in junior high.  I still have my tonsils but I am considering getting them taken out.  I noticed that one person posted that even if you get the tonsils removed it will still be a problem.  I am not so sure about that because if they are not there, what holes will this disgusting stuff be able to form in?  I do know that the older you are, the harder it is on you to have them out.  After dealing with this for so many years, I am willing to sacrifice a week or more of pain to know that I will get rid of it.  

I can poke at my tonsils any given day and "something" will come out wether it be a ball of yuck or a yellowish smelly liquid.  It is disgusting and I can taste it every time I swallow.  I have dealt with it for a long time and am fed up.  I have seen a doctor about it and all he said was well, when you feel like you want it cleaned out, just come in and I can press the tonsil and "drain" if for you.  That's a crock cuz I can do that much on my own and not have to pay for it.  I will be heading off to a different doctor once again to see if I can get something done about it once and for all.  As for the rest of you with this problem, good luck and I hope you all get it resolved.
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Avatar universal
I have been suffering from the same yellow spots (which I always associated previously with tonsilitis).  I get them about once or twice a week and recently have taken to squeezing them out oo - as it gets rid of the smell and also I tend to be able to feel them when they are there...

Previously my tonsils had quite a even surface and the more I get them the more craters I get, I don't think that it can be food.

Other symptoms I have suffered from while experiencing this rather revolting condition is a rash on my face. Which I am not sure if it is conected or not but the doctor diagnosed it as acne which it clearly isn't - a holistic therapist has advised me to stay off wheat and dairy completely - so reading previous comments that it may be caused by dairy although understandable are not the case in my situation....

I have never suffered from this before until the last few months and having read this forum I am worried I will be shoving q-tips/cotton buds down my throat to get this gross puss out all my life is quite worrying...

If any one has a solution please post it - I have another consultation with my Holistic therapist soon and will be mentioning this to her then... will keep you posted!

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Avatar universal
I just wrote a comment... after talking with my mother again about what our doctor said, my mom said that it's caratin (or keratin) build-up.  But like I said before, there's not anything you can do for it.
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Avatar universal
I KNOW WHAT THIS IS!!!

My mother and I both suffer from this problem.  One day when she took me to the doctor (for some reason other than this), we remembered to ask our doctor about it.  She said it's not just food getting stuck and rotting in your tonsils.  You're body actually produces the substance.  I have no clue why, but I do know it's something your body produces, and you just can't get rid of it.  Getting your tonsils out won't help.  And yes, it causes horrible bad breath.  Every time you brush your teeth, try brushing all of your tongue, until you're tongue is all pink, and none of it has white on it.  I find that this helps.  

I'm very sorry that you suffer from this.  It's a pain.  But a lot more people have it than you think.  It's pretty common.  But my doctor said that it's not something that you can treat.  It's just the way our body works.  Some people produce so little, that they never notice it.  But for those of us who produce lots and lots, those hard little smelly pieces can get annoying.  

Good luck!  

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Avatar universal
Hi guys, Interesting thread!

I'm a Medical Student in England, and Since I suffer from tonsil crypts myself I've done some research on the subject.

The crypts at the back of the tonsils develop due to infections that you may have had in the past as a child or young adult(tonsillitis, or simply due to trauma/damage. These little crypts are lovely moist warm breading grounds for the anaerobic bacteria that live in the back of your throat. They are essentially like the plaque you get on your teeth. It is suggested that food liquefied by chewing when eating can get stuck in these crypts and viscous fluids like milk and milkshakes etc are also perfect for getting stuck here. Now when you swallow there is usually enough force to remove the particles in these crypts but its not always successful. The bacteria eat away at the food stuff just like they do on your teeth (I think the most probable bacteria is Strep Mutans or similar) and produce the horrid little stony plaques (tonsiliths). They can also cause some inflammation and be supparative (pus producing) so these tonsiliths could also contain dead white cells as well and if disturbed to cause bleeding but not fully removed could lead to tonsillitis.

You may find they are more noticeable when your mouth is very dry and dehydrated as the tonsils may shrink slightly allowing the stones to be released. This is partly the reason they are more noticeable first thing in the morning.

So you can do a number of things:-

Firstly, Go see your Family doctor (GP) and talk to him/her about it. Say you are concerned about your breath etc and that you think you may have chronic cryptic tonsils that exude little foul smelling plaques. The Foul taste you feel and the self consciousness you feel should strike a cord with him/her to get something done about them. Don't take no for an answer, you want a cure!

Meanwhile you should thoroughly gargle with a strong mouthwash. Something with chlorhexidine or similar is a good idea. Do this twice a day after or before brushing with a antimicrobial toothpaste like Colgate total. And after every meal gargle with some water and a little salt. This will keep the tonsils moist and help clear out any particles there.

Chew dental or no sugar chewing gum. The supply of saliva will often dislodge a little plaque that you can cough up and get rid of, and the minty smell can mask any breath smell.

Use the q-tip (called cotton buds in the UK) to squeeze out the little tonsil stones/tonsiliths whenever you can feel them or physically see them in the mirror, please be carefull though as you could choke or damage your tonsils so do this at your own risk.

Antibiotics long term can certainly cure this problem, as I personally have experienced this. Whilst on tetracycline or erythromycin for acne my tonsils were totally clear. I wouldn't recommend the high dosages I took to everyone as you can get stomach upsets etc, but it may be worth a try and perhaps some antibiotics could be suggested to your Doctor to see what his opinion is.

Lastly the best cure is to have a tonsillectomy (removal of tonsils). Although your tonsils are part of your lymphatic/immune system after childhood, you are able to cope without them and the glands elsewhere in the head and neck can cope with any infections. Some people feel that after removal of there tonsils they get more frequent chest infections instead of throats so its something to consider, but you will need to thoroughly chat about it all with your GP and then ENT surgeon after you are referred.

Sorry for the long post I hope that it has helped to explain and help people out there who have this really annoying condition

Thanks

Heid
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Avatar universal
One thing i forgot to mention is that there are a few alternative procedures that could be done.

The ENT surgeon can surgically 'shave' down the tonsils to get rid of the crypts (if they are not too deep) and this might greatly help and still allow you to keep your tonsils. Or even a new technique where you can have lazer resurfacing of the tonsils to cause tough scar tissue to cover the surface of the tonsils and so cover and stop anything entering the crypts. This high tech option certainly comes at a price, and i know that in the UK the NHS will not pay for it.

Anyways hope that helps

Heid
Helpful - 0

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