Halitosis build up

[Creative Genious]

I have been experiencing bad breath for a number of years now but to combat the problem i brush my teeth, tounge etc and i now use mouth wash as well.

However, i have noticed that i seem to have a bad smell coming from the back of my mouth. If i stick my finger to the back of my tounge, almost down my throat, it feels like theres a build up of 'gunk' which doesnt want to move. When i take my fingers out they smell really bad, almost smelling like stool. Occasionally i will cough and a white solid lump will come up, looking like a soggy small chunk of peanut and this smells really nasty. I dont think i have an infection becasue this has been happening for ages now.

Does anyone know what it mite be? or how to get rid of it. I cant brush it as its too far to the back of my tounge and it makes me gag, and mouthwash doesnt do much.

Thank you for your support

[mishyme]

A related discussion, mucus build up was started.

[landshark]

I have the exact same problem. Mine started about a year ago all of the sudden. I did not have any type of cold or nasal problems at the time. I drink alot of water and have a very healthy diet. But I am coughing this stuff almost every day. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and almost feel as if I am going to start choking because I can feel a big lump of junk in the back of my throat. It seems to mostly happen in the morning.
   The only thing that I can think of that might be related is that I had an experience in Hawii were I jumped off of a clif into some water and really compressed a bunch of water into my ears. And ever sice then my inner ears have never felt completly normal. Almost as if I still have a little water in there and they always feel like they need to pop. But this happened several years before I deloped the problem with my throat. Creative Genious have you had any luck treating or diognosing the problem?

[peeper1968]

in the morning garglewith weak salt water. about a cup until it is gone. then follow with mouth wash. after about two weeks t will show signs of  getting better. also check with a hygenist. there could be gum disease taht cause that build up from the back teeth.

[Ellis7]

It sounds like a tonsilolith [tonsil stone]. One way to get rid of them is using a special Water Pik attachment. If you shine a flashlight down your throat, you may see them.
Links:
http://health.iafrica.com/doconline/qa/respiratory/tonsiloliths.htm White Stones in the Tonsils

http://www.ent-consult.com/throat.html#halitosis
"A common cause of breath problems are the deep holes in the tonsils, known as crypts. These holes are supposed to be there, they provide areas where the good white cells of the body can fight the bad bacteria. Then the dead bacteria and dead white cells are extruded and swallowed. Sometimes the holes are too wide or crooked and the material gets to accumulate and cause odor. Here, pulsatile throat irrigation can be very effective because the pulsation removes the dead material.

The mouth may be extra dry for lack of fluids. Try increasing fluid intake. Indigestion may be a factor. An excellent remedy is to take protelytic enzyme tablets for digestion. (Papain and bromelain, in combination, and with calibrated enzyme activity are best.) If you are milk intolerant, there are lactase tablets for digesting milk and milk products. If you have an acid stomach check with your doctor about reducing excess acid with Tagamet or Zantac. It is best not to self diagnose on hyperacidity in the stomach. "

[National Jewish]

Postnasal drip is drainage from the nose and sinuses dripping down the back of the throat.  There could be several reasons for this drainage.  One reason is an allergy.  A second reason is a non-allergic, non-infectious inflammation in the sinuses that can linger after a cold.  A third reason is chronic sinusitis that can be diagnosed by a sinus CT scan.  If there is an infection, this will have to be treated and eliminated before you will see any change.  You may experience the postnasal drip as a feeling of