Tonsils are smelly white balls in the back of the throat. Whatever you want to call it, tonsillolith can be a serious oral problem. Although technically tonsil stones – whitish, smelly balls of food particles and other debris that stick to the tonsils – are not dangerous, they can be extremely bothersome.

Tonsil stones can cause terrible bad breath that makes daily activities like meeting and greeting people seem like a nightmare.

Tonsill, unfortunately, is not something you can get rid of simply with a pill or a potion. If you are prone to tonsil stones (due to large tonsils, overactive salivary glands, or excessive oral bacteria), then you are stuck with tonsil stones that appear when you see fit.

So how do you treat these hideous white balls of shame?

By reading the five tips below:

1. Practice good oral care. It seems simple and it is. Brush every day. Floss daily. Use a sugar-free, alcohol-free mouthwash. However, you can also gargle with salt water and cider vinegar, which can help break up the debris.

2. Watch what you eat. Experts suggest that lemon and avocado can help cure bad breath caused by tonsil stones. You can also try limiting the amount of white sugar in your diet.

3. Scrape, scrape and scrape. If you have the gag reflex, you can try scraping these little scent balls out of your mouth. Some use their fingers; some use a swab; some use their language; some use their toothbrush; some use toothpicks. It is up to you and your gag reflex.

4. Sneeze: Coughing, sneezing, or flexing your throat can also work to get rid of tonsil stones. This is because you are releasing the stones from your tonsils and therefore they will be coughed up. Be careful, they will most likely emit an extremely unpleasant odor.

5. Opt for surgery. One final suggestion, which you should discuss with your doctor, is tonsil removal or a tonsillectomy. Be aware that this can be dangerous and costly.

When it comes to tonsilloliths, you either get them or you don’t. Fight them off with the tips above that will ensure your life goes on, with or without tonsil stones.