Tonsillolith

A tonsillolith is a semi-hard, cheesy yellow substance found in the side of the throat at the base of the tongue.


A patient reported to my office today with the complaint of a feeling of "something hard or lumpy in the back of my throat." He said that it was present for about a week, and didn't hurt, but he didn't know what it was. His concern was if it should be removed. After examining the area and taking this photo, I removed a small, yellow-white mass which felt like hard cottage cheese. The piece popped right out with a small curette. The most apparent quality of the tonsillolith was an extreme bad smell.

A tonsillolith is reported to be a calcareous mass that can accumulate in the tonsillar crypts in the lateral throat. It is believed that it is generated from an accumulation of food or bacteria in the area, possibly actinomyces bacteria. They are usually not harmful but can contribute to bad breath.

Proud Father and Mother

Last Saturday, Paula and I had the honor of attending a luncheon of the American College of Dentists in Boston at the Yankee Dental Congress Meeting. Our son Bryan Jacobs was presented with a distinguished student award for ethics and leadership in dentistry. The award was introduced by the Dean of Bryan's Harvard School of Dental Medicine, R. Bruce Donoff, DDS, MD.

In attendance were the deans of 4 dental schools, the president of the ACD, the executive director of the American Dental Association, past presidents of the ADA, among others.

Bryan has worked hard and persevered through the demands of dental school at Harvard. He has kept his sights on the goal of completing a quality education in dentistry. He is passionate about his profession and I know he will continue his lifelong quest for learning.

Bryan will soon be the fourth generation of dentists in our family. He will be the first Harvard grad. Paula and I are so proud of him - almost as much as we love him. His grandparents are so proud of him. All of his family, friends, cousins, neighbors, even Linda (soon to be Dr. Linda) are proud of him. What a great example. Way to go Bryan!