Bad Breath Halitosis Forum

I had endoscopy and sinus CT scan last year and the ENT said that there was nothing wrong with my tonsils. Only a slight mucous sticking in the middle turbinate of my sinus area. No polyps or anything serious. And 6 months ago, I visited a different ENT and had a CT scan again and got the same reply. They said that the strong smell (from mouth and nose) could be due to the bacteria in the mucous.

Also first time, about six months ago, I noticed that when I try to suck mucous from the back of my throat, a few small, white, yellowish stone-like comes out with my mucous. They're round and smell really terrible. This happens a few times and the most recent was just now. However, this does not happen all the time and never happens when I cough, only when I vacuum mucous out.

What could this be? ENT told me that I do not have tonsil stones. I am quite sure that this is the main culprit for my bb. But where could these suckers hide? Should I consult a different ENT?

Does anyone here have the same experience? I want to visit a doctor regarding this. What kind of tests, other than CT scan and endoscopy, should I insist on?

those are the elusive tonsil stones.. many who thought they never had tonsil stones actually do and never realized it till later.

The thing about tonsil stones is that they may be different for everyone.. That is to say, our tonsils are designed differently, so perhaps only a certain motion (the vaccuum thing for you) would be able to remove them from their grave.

For me, I used to have them come out when coughing hard or making out with my girlfriend from a couple years back (in essence, a vaccuum.. thankfully they never left my mouth)

Now I swab out the holes in my tonsils everyday, but occasionally, they will still show up.. It's like a labyrinth back there, so there's no telling where they are hiding.



Though, I suppose it's possible that there may be a crypt somewhere in your mouth or oral area other than your tonsils.. I used to believe that my tonsil stones came from down in my throat beyond the epiglottis.. until I took a flashlight and a mirror and could actually see the little demons hanging out inside my tonsils.

Mike987. I'm just wondering why ENTs did not see this before. I am just not sure what is the time frame for these crypts to host stones, but I am quite sure that my bb started 6 years ago and became really chronic progressively and these suckers could be the cause for it. I never really believed doctors when they say that my bb could be due to my pnd as I've had allergy since teenager and did not have bb until 6 years ago only. I am now 35.

Is it possible that they are hiding in my adenoids?

I had a consultation yesterday with an ENT who is also a clinical professor. I simply can't believe the other ent's that I saw before so I decided to take a plunge and see this doctor that charges heaven and earth for consultation.

I asked him re the ff:

1. Where do those suckers hide, when other ENTs said that my tonsils are ok?

He said that most of the time the tonsils are overlooked in case where they appear normal. These stones could be hiding at the other side of the tonsils, the side that doctors can't see. Second they can also be so tiny to stand out. The only way to know is to perform a probe- he has squeeze the tonsils.

2. Stuff about my adenoids.

He said that adenoids may have crypts-like surface but it is smooth hence bacteria can't breed there.

3. Why Lingual Tonsils are not normally lasered

He said that Lingual Tonsils may have crypts but it is not normally lasered unless for life-threatening reasons due to its location. It is located directly in the airway. In the event of infection or sudden bleeding or swelling, your airway will either be obstructed or may shut itself.

However, if the patient is willing to stay in the ICU for the whole recovery period, then it can be done. And when this happens, the patient according to him should be prepared for procedures involving easing or recreating new airway in emergency cases.


All in all, he advised me to undergo tonsillectomy. Since I have undergone tests that eliminate chest, digestive and throat problems, this is the next step that I should take.

He is charging me about S$5,000+ (US$3,500). And to me this is quite steep. I am thinking of going to another ENT since I already know the procedure that I need to undergo.

Guys, is tonsillectomy too complicated a procedure that I need an expert to do the job? Or any ENT can also do this procedure? The difference is half the price.