All You Need to Know About Canker Sore on Tonsil Tissues

What is a Canker Sore?

Canker sores are characterized by a yellow or whitish dot on the cheek, the tongue, or any other part of the mouth including the tonsils and their underlying tissues. The canker is often surrounded by reddish, inflamed-looking flesh.

If you get a canker sore on your tonsils, every time you swallow, you'll know that it is one of the most painful canker sores you can get.

What Causes a Canker Sore: 

Some of the main causes of canker sores include:

A small injury as a result of an accidental bite, bump, burn, rough brushing of teeth, or dental work–any small abrasion to the inside of the cheeks, lips, or tongue may not heal properly and may cause a canker.

Lack of important nutrients that promote proper growth of tissues, such as iron, zinc, vitamin B12, and folic acid (folate).

Allergies or sensitivities to toothpaste or food (coffee, chocolate, shellfish, strawberries, cheese, eggs, nuts, highly acidic foods like pineapple, lemon, and tomatoes, and ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate).

Stress.

Anxiety.

Poor oral hygiene.

An allergic response to bacteria in the mouth.

Hormonal changes may trigger a canker sore on a woman's tonsil tissue during the days prior to menstruation.

Unlike cold sores, canker sores are not associated with herpes virus infections. If you experience cankers chronically, you should begin keeping a record of everything you eat and drink to help determine what might be the cause. There are also more serious medical triggers for canker sores so if you get them chronically, consult your doctor.

Fever Blister (Cold Sore) vs. Canker Sore on Tonsil

Fever blisters (cold sores) and canker sores both cause a lot of discomfort and pain and it's sometimes hard to tell the difference between the two. However, there are a few major differences:

Fever blisters (also known as cold sores) are highly contagious while canker sores are not. Fever blisters are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Fever blisters can appear elsewhere on the body (on the nose, eyes, or genitals, for example), whereas canker sores are confined inside the mouth. The tonsils are the furthest areas that canker sores reach, but there is no clear evidence or history to show that cold sores/fever blisters affect the tonsil tissue.

The herpes virus that causes fever blisters remains latent even when the blisters themselves are completely healed. This means that the virus is always present, even without signs. On the other hand, a canker sore can heal completely and never reappear, depending on whether or not the person comes into contact with the triggering factor.