Canker sore on side of tongue and sore throat

A throat ulcer, or a throat canker sore, is a small, round sore that is whitish in the middle and reddish on the outside. It causes pain and discomfort, especially when swallowing or speaking. In some cases, it can be accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, general malaise and swollen lymph nodes in the neck area.

This type of ulcer may appear after ingesting acidic food, or it can be the first sign of a weakened immune system (e.g. appearing when you have herpes after a cold). When throat ulcers are very big and take a long time to heal, they can be a sign of a more serious disease such as AIDS or cancer.

The doctor may prescribe ointments for to treat a throat ulcer and suggest the elimination of acidic foods from your diet. Another common recommendation is gargling warm water with salt to help relieve discomfort.

What a throat canker sore looks like

Main causes

Throat ulcers may be caused by:

• Weakened immune system, especially if weakened due to herpes (the herpes virus may infect the lining of both the mouth and throat)
• Acidic foods, such as pineapple, tomato or pepper
• Stomach problems, such as acid reflux
• Nutrient deficiency, like B-complex vitamin, folic acid or minerals like iron

If you get a throat ulcer more than once a month, or if two outbreaks of ulcers happen within less than a week of each other, you should see your family doctor for blood tests that can help identify what may be causing the problem. Once the diagnosis is made, appropriate treatment is started so as to prevent the sore from appearing again.

Other situations that may cause small sores in the throat are tonsil stones, tonsillitis, and aphthous stomatitis, which are more common in infants.

Common treatment

Treatment for throat ulcers can be completed with combination corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory ointments, or with topical anesthetics (e.g. xylocaine 5%). These are prescribed by a doctor and applied with a finger or with the help of a cotton swab.

Other drugs that can be used to relieve pain caused by throat ulcers are acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and should be used as recommended by a doctor. Laser treatments can be used if the throat sore is greater than 1 cm in diameter or if the sore is causing difficulty with eating or drinking.

Speed-up throat ulcer healing

To help heal throat ulcers, some precautions should be considered, such as:

• Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash after brushing your teeth, as this can help to eliminate bacteria and cleanse the area
• Avoiding acidic foods like lemon, pineapple, tomato, kiwi and orange, as the acidity can increase pain
• Eating more foods rich in B complex vitamins, folic acid and iron such as banana, mango, low-fat yogurt or apple juice (vitamin deficiency can cause throat ulcers)
• Gargling warm water with salt or gargling hydrogen peroxide diluted in water, as they are antiseptic and clean the area. To prepare the solution, simply add 1 tablespoon of salt into 1 cup of warm water or 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide 10 volumes in 1 glass of water.
• Avoid worsening by not eating hard or crunchy foods such as toast, peanuts, nuts
• Using a toothbrush with soft bristles;
• Avoid oral hygiene products with irritating ingredients like sodium lauryl sulphate.

If you follow treatment as directed by your doctor while keeping these recommendations in mind, throat ulcers will likely disappear on their own within a few days.

When to go to the doctor

When throat ulcers appear frequently (e.g. more than 6 times a year) you should see a doctor for assessment, especially if you have other symptoms. Testing that may be ordered includes:

• Complete blood count
• Iron, ferritin and iron uptake, vitamin B12 levels
• HIV antibodies, viral cultures and biopsy.

However, there is usually no need to request these exams and they are generally done when the throat ulcers are difficult to control.

You may have seen canker sores inside your mouth that look like reddish or white ulcers. Some individuals are more prone to getting canker sores than others. These ulcers can range from mild to severe, lasting for a few days or sometimes weeks. But did you know that a canker sore can also appear on the tonsil?

If you’re experiencing a sore throat but no other symptoms of cold or sickness are affecting you, you may have a canker sore on the back of your throat. Canker sores can develop on any part of the mouth, such as teeth, gums, and even the tonsils. The good thing here is that you may not necessarily have to visit your dentist just because of a canker sore on your tonsil. However, the associated pain and discomfort can make your days miserable.

In this article, we’ll learn about these mouth ulcers so you know exactly what causes canker sores, how to get rid of them, and what precautions you can take so you don’t get them again.

What Causes Canker Sores?

Unfortunately, the exact cause or causes of canker sores are still not clear. However, some triggers can give you these painful lesions. The triggers include mouth injuries such as when you accidentally bite the inside of your cheek, deficiency of vitamin B-12, hormonal changes, and anxiety.

Some foods or drinks can irritate the sore on the tonsils and cause pain. Eating highly acidic meals or food allergies can encourage the formation of canker sores near the oral cavity. This happens because when you swallow, your tonsils encounter these sources of trouble.

The feeling of canker sores on the tonsils is very close to the sore throat. If you want to make sure that you have a canker sore on your throat and not any other problem, stand in front of the mirror. Now wide open your mouth and look at your tonsils. Inflammation or whitish bumps on both tonsils is an indication of a disease. In contrast, if you only see a large white sore with red circles around it on a single tonsil, it’s a canker sore.

Dealing With Canker Sore on Tonsil At Home

You can alleviate the pain and discomfort due to a canker sore on your tonsil with several simple home remedies. One such effective treatment is rinsing your mouth with salt water, which eliminates the germs from the ulcer.
Rinsing with a mixture of baking soda and water is also a good way to find relief from soreness. Along with these, here are some other home treatments that you can try.

• You can take OTC pain relievers such as ibuprofen
• Antimicrobial mouthwash can also work.
• Try mouth spray that contains benzocaine or phenol.
• Go with cold or mild foods and the ones that are easy to chew and swallow. For example, smoothies, yogurt, and soups can be easy on the throat.
• Say no to acidic or spicy foods as they can elevate canker sore pain.
• Stay away from foods or drinks that may irritate your throat. If you think you’re developing canker sores, pay close attention to the items that trigger them.

When to See Your Dentist

If you have a small ulcer on your tonsil, you can expect the soreness to reduce in 2-3 days and disappear fully with 7-10 days. However, for large canker sores, 4 weeks is the minimum time required for healing. Once your bump heals, it may leave a spot on the back of your throat.

It’s good to see your dentist if you experience the following regarding your canker sore.

• Canker sore lasting for more than 15 days
• The sore is reaching your lips.
• You have a high fever
• The ulcer is of significant size
• The sore is making eating or drinking difficult

Canker sores on the back of your throat are painful and annoying, but the good part is that they go away. It’s possible to feel that your sore throat is indicating any severe disease that will require a long recovery time. But if you have a canker sore, it should go away in a few days and only require home treatments to minimize pain. Give your throat some time to rest, and you’ll feel better within a week.

If you have any questions or wish to see a dental professional for your condition, book an appointment with Pearl Shine Dental by calling 281-477-7200.

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