<P> Tonsilloliths occur more frequently in teens than in adults or young children . Many small tonsil stones do not cause any noticeable symptoms . Even when they are large, some tonsil stones are only discovered incidentally on X-rays or CAT scans . </P> <P> Other symptoms include a metallic taste, throat closing or tightening, coughing fits, and choking . </P> <P> Larger tonsilloliths may cause multiple symptoms, including recurrent halitosis, which frequently accompanies a tonsil infection, sore throat, white debris, a bad taste in the back of the throat, difficulty swallowing, ear ache, and tonsil swelling . A medical study conducted in 2007 found an association between tonsilloliths and bad breath in patients with a certain type of recurrent tonsillitis . Among those with bad breath, 75% of the subjects had tonsilloliths, while only 6% of subjects with normal halitometry values (normal breath) had tonsilloliths . A foreign body sensation may also exist in the back of the throat . The condition may also be an asymptomatic condition, with detection upon palpating a hard intratonsillar or submucosal mass . </P> <Ul> <Li> <P> A tonsillolith protrudes from the tonsil </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Large tonsillolith half exposed on tonsil </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Closeup of a tonsillolith </P> </Li> </Ul>

What's the white thing in the back of your throat