This might be a bit embarrassing, but there are times when you notice a strange smell in your mouth starting from a certain day.

You've brushed your teeth and even used mouthwash, yet there's still a familiar yet pungent smell that keeps coming up.

It's hard to describe, but sometimes it can smell quite similar to feces.

At first, you might think, "Did I not brush my teeth properly?" and end up scrubbing your tongue vigorously.

However, I learned that the cause might not be your teeth but could be hiding in your tonsils. It's called tonsil stones.

If you look closely at your tonsils, you'll see that the surface isn't smooth and has small indentations.

Food particles, dead cells, mucus, and bacteria can get trapped in these pockets, clumping together and hardening into white or yellowish granules.

These are tonsil stones. But their size is really not that significant. Some can be as small as a grain of rice, but the problem is the smell.

If one happens to come out while coughing or brushing your teeth, you might be shocked if you smell it out of curiosity.

"How can something so small produce such a smell?"

Inside tonsil stones, bacteria and various substances cluster together, and volatile sulfur compounds can form, leading to a strong odor.

This is why, no matter how hard you brush your teeth, you might still have bad breath.

You might also feel like something is stuck in your throat or experience discomfort when swallowing saliva.

If you look in the mirror and see white spots on your tonsils, it could be a sign of tonsil stones.

However, just because you see white spots doesn't mean they are all tonsil stones.

Conditions like tonsillitis or other diseases can look similar, so if you have pain or fever, it's best to see a doctor.

What I was most curious about was this: "Can't I just remove them with a cotton swab?"

When you search online, you'll find many people who use cotton swabs or tools to remove them themselves.

However, the tonsils are softer than you might think and are made of tissue that can easily get injured, so trying to dig them out can lead to bleeding or inflammation.

It's especially advisable to avoid using sharp tools.

In general, drinking plenty of water, maintaining good oral hygiene, and rinsing after meals can help. Some people also try gargling with light saltwater.

But if tonsil stones keep forming and your bad breath is so severe that it makes you self-conscious about meeting people, it's a good idea to get checked by an ENT specialist.

Just because you have bad breath doesn't necessarily mean your stomach is upset, nor do you need to keep changing your toothpaste.

If your teeth are clean and you've brushed your tongue, but there's still a strange, strong smell coming from somewhere, take a good look in the mirror and open your mouth wide.

The culprit might be hiding closer than you think, possibly on both sides of your throat.