Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in August 2024.

A Reddit user was greeted with an unexpected, and frankly unsettling, surprise upon waking up recently — a massive tonsil stone rolling around their mouth. The individual shared a photo of the unwelcome discovery, which they humorously described as a “boulder” of a tonsil stone that had mysteriously appeared on their tongue overnight. The image included a coin for scale, highlighting just how large the stone was.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, are typically caused when food particles, saliva, and mucus get trapped in the small crevices of your tonsils. Over time, these particles harden and calcify, forming what many describe as small, rock-like formations. According to the Mayo Clinic, the process is gradual, and while they often go unnoticed, tonsil stones can lead to discomfort and unpleasant symptoms such as a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, coughing, persistent bad breath, and a bad taste in the mouth.

Photo Credit: Reddit
Photo Credit: Reddit
Responding to the Reddit post, one user quipped, “Congrats on the newly freshened breath,” in reference to the breath-cleansing effect of the tonsil stone. However, another user pointed out that this may not be the end of the issue, noting, “Not necessarily. “There could be more hidden deeper inside,” and as it turns out, they were correct. Tonsil stones can vary in size, and while some are visible to the naked eye, others may be lodged deeper in the tissue, going completely unnoticed until they cause issues.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Photo Credit: Wikimedia
Tonsil stones are more likely to develop in people who have a history of tonsillitis or those with particularly large tonsils. The larger the tonsils, the more surface area there is for food particles to get stuck and eventually calcify. So, if you’ve been lucky enough to avoid the discomfort of tonsil stones, count your blessings.