Every so often, you develop a health symptom so bizarre that it sends you into a total shame spiral—like discovering smelly, white chunks in your mouth. But guess what: We all have weirdo body issues that creep up and freak us out. We asked an expert and it turns out those chunks are actually totally normal—and not a cause for concern. Here’s what you need to know.
Why you can stop spiraling: Almost everyone gets them. Your tonsils have tons of tiny crevices where bacteria and dead cells can get trapped and harden and occasionally stick together in chunks of foul-smelling white stuff that you suddenly feel under the back of your tongue, says Brunilda Nazario, M.D., an associate medical director at WebMD. If you’ve had bouts of tonsillitis, you’re especially stones-prone. (Learn about the benefits of bone broth with Women’s Health’s Bone Broth Diet!)