I'm a 34-year-old female and recently noticed a white oval lump behind my tonsil on the left side of my mouth. I only spotted it last month while dealing with some wisdom teeth issues. It doesn't hurt or cause any symptoms, but I'm really anxious about it because I have health anxiety. I drink moderately, just a few glasses of wine on the weekends, and I don't smoke. I'm fit and healthy otherwise. Can you help me understand what this might be?

Answered by 1 Apollo Doctors

Dr Dhankecha Dineshbhai

General Practitioner

MBBS
6+ Yrs

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It sounds like you may have a tonsil stone, also known as a tonsillolith. Tonsil stones are small, white or yellowish lumps that can form in the crevices of your tonsils. They are usually harmless and can sometimes occur after an episode of tonsillitis or when debris gets trapped in the tonsil crypts. To help reduce the size of the tonsil stone and prevent them from forming, you can try gargling with warm salt water regularly. In some cases, if the tonsil stones are large or causing discomfort, they may need to be removed by a healthcare professional. In the meantime, you can try using a water flosser to gently dislodge the tonsil stone. If you continue to have concerns or if the lump behind your tonsil changes in size or causes any symptoms, it's important to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation.

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Answered 04/07/2025

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