For many people, the discovery of white patches in the throat can be a cause of great anxiety and concern. However, in many cases, these spots are simply harmless collections of bacteria and sulfur-based debris that lodge on the tonsils, known as tonsil stones.

These stones often appear in the back of the mouth, on the tongue, or in the tonsil pouches. They can usually be seen with the naked eye as white, chalky bumps. These white patches in the throat often feel like a lump in the throat or an object sticking out of the back of the mouth.

Tonsil stones can be both irritating and painful, often causing bad breath, coughing, earaches, difficulty swallowing, and excess phlegm in the throat. More common in adults than children, stones can be removed with a variety of home remedies. Many people choose to remove the white patches in the throat by removing them with a Q-tip or pulsating jets of water. Gently brushing them with a toothbrush has also been shown to remove the tongue and back of the mouth.

However, in some more serious cases where the stone is firmly lodged, too large, or in a hard-to-reach place, a doctor may remove it surgically. More serious infections of the tonsils, such as tonsillitis, can be treated with a tonsillectomy, a procedure in which the tonsils are removed. If you are concerned about white patches in your throat, see your GP for further diagnosis.