Have you ever seen white patches on your tonsils, or so-called tonsillar detritus? If so, maybe it's a sign that you have an infection in the throat. Know the various causes of white spots on the tonsils and how to overcome them. Tonsillar detritus is formed when bacteria and other materials, such as dead cells, mucus, saliva, and food scraps, are trapped in the tonsillary kripta (indentation) which eventually hardens. This condition can be triggered by recurrent tonsillitis (tonsillitis) or chronic inflammation of the tonsils and surrounding areas. Those who experience tonsillary detritus formation usually also have other symptoms, such as colds, sore throats, coughs, fever, difficulty swallowing, headaches, swelling in lymph nodes, and bad breath. In some cases, tonsillar detritus can cause swollen tonsils which can make it difficult to breathe. Various Conditions That Cause Tonsillar Detritus White patches on the tonsils are generally caused by a buildup of bacteria and le