06-04-2025
Canker sores are small red or white lesions that form on the soft tissue within your mouth. Though most people will associate canker sores with forming on the tongue, cheeks, or inner lips, the sores can develop anywhere in the mouth, including in the throat and on the tonsils.
In this article, we will discuss how to identify a canker sore on the tonsil, the common symptoms of sores, what causes them, and what treatment methods you should use to help.
Key Takeaways
- Despite the fact they may appear similar, canker sores are not as severe as cold sores and are not contagious. Cold sores are a symptom of the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1), whereas there is no definitive cause behind canker sores.
- Canker sores should heal over time on their own, however they can be painful. Taking pain medication, eating soft food and being gentle when cleaning your teeth and mouth will help not to agitate them.
- Canker sores on tonsils are not as common as contracting them in the mouth or lips, however they also do heal on their own still. Using a gentle mouthwash will help keep your mouth and throat clean and will not further inflame them.
- Adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and optimum oral care routine will help prevent contracting canker sores. This includes regular dentist check-ups as well.
What are Canker Sores on Tonsils
Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, are small lesions that develop on the soft tissues inside your mouth, including the inner cheeks, beneath the tongue, and the inner surfaces of the lips.
Canker sores on tonsils or throats appear similarly to those elsewhere in the mouth, though they are usually smaller. If your throat feels sore without any of the other common symptoms of colds or flu, then you may be experiencing a canker sore on the tonsils or throat.
Symptoms of Canker Sores on Tonsils
Despite its location, the symptoms of a canker sore in the throat or on tonsils are largely similar to those of canker sores anywhere else. Canker sores affect the mucus membrane, which is the soft protective layer lining the mouth and throat and can form anywhere on this layer.
The most pronounced symptom of a sore, whether it be an ulcer on the tonsils or tongue, is pain, with most people feeling burning and sharp pain on the site of the sore. This pain is often worsened by eating habits, with spicy or acidic food and even chewing is capable of exacerbating pain.
What makes canker sores on tonsils slightly different however is the location of pain. Having a sore throat and ulcers in the mouth are usually independent of each other, but when a canker sore forms on the tonsils or throat, you are likely to experience pain here. This pain is often mistaken for more severe conditions such as tonsilitis or strep throat.
Diagnosing Canker Sores
Due to their distinctive appearance and symptoms, canker sores are typically easy for a doctor to diagnose. In most cases, you will not need to visit a doctor because of a canker sore, but if you experience recurrent ones, it may be worth visiting a medical professional to see if a more serious underlying cause is present.
Types of Canker Sores
There are 3 types of canker sores, each relatively distinct from the other. If you are still wondering ‘what are canker sores’, familiarising yourself with these types should make understanding the sores much simpler:
Minor Canker Sores: This canker sore is usually only a couple millimetres in size and is the most common variant of the condition. They are not serious and should not require medical attention or treatment to heal.
Major Canker Sores: These sores are slightly larger than the minor variant at around 3 millimetres or above and can take up to 4 weeks to heal fully. They are more painful and can cause scarring once healed.
Herpetiform Canker Sores: These sores are the amalgamation of multiple tiny sores, each roughly the size of a pinhead. They are painful and can take around a month to heal, also leaving scarring.
Canker Sores vs Cold Sores
Though cold sores and canker sores are both small lesions that cause pain in and around the mouth, their similarities end there.
Canker sores will always appear inside the mouth, throat, or on the tonsils whereas most cold sores will form on the outside of the mouth, around the lips or nose.
Cold sores are also caused by the virus, Herpes Simplex (HSV-1), a highly contagious disease which means sores can spread easily amongst people. Canker sores are not contagious at all meaning you do not need to avoid close contact if you have one.
Causes of Canker Sores on Tonsils
Despite their commonality, doctors are still not certain why canker sores develop. Certain triggers have been linked to the development of canker sores which include:
Stress and fatigue
Hormonal changes (including periods)
Oral trauma (biting your tongue, dental surgeries)
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (namely B12, iron, and folic acid)
Autoimmune conditions (Crohn’s disease)
Gastrointestinal illnesses (Celiac disease, ulcerative colitis)
Dietary choices (acidic or spicy foods)
Certain medications
Many of the most common causes of canker sores in the throat and elsewhere in the mouth are related to how well you look after your oral health. Brushing your teeth twice a day and regularly flossing are simple but effective prevention methods that can make sure if canker sores do arise, it is not a result of poor oral hygiene.
If you frequently experience ulcers on tonsils, or anywhere else in the mouth, you should contact your doctor as an underlying cause may be responsible.
Treatment of Canker Sores on Tonsils
In most cases, canker sores on tonsils, in the throat, or elsewhere within the throat should heal on their own, within one to two weeks, and without any medical assistance. During this period, however, there are both at-home and medical remedies you can seek to ease some symptoms of canker sores.
At-Home Treatment of Canker Sores on Tonsils
Whilst there are no remedies that can completely cure a canker sore, several at-home treatments can ease your discomfort and help the healing process. Methods include:
Using a saline rinse to clean/sterilise the mouth
Avoiding spicy, acidic, or salty foods
Limiting stress levels
Drinking or eating cold foods (ice cubes, cold water)
Opting for softer foods when eating
Taking vitamin supplements (if deficiencies have caused your ulcer)
Using a high-quality toothbrush
If at-home canker sore in throat treatment methods do not work for you, medical options are also available.
Medical Treatment of Canker Sores on Tonsils
If the canker sore on your tonsils is particularly painful or swollen, then seeking medical treatment may be the best course of action. If possible, over-the-counter creams and gels that contain anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce canker sore pain, but due to these ointments needing to be applied directly to the site of the sore, this may not be applicable treatment for canker sores in the throat.
Medicated or antibacterial mouthwashes can be an effective way to keep the mouth and throat clean and assist the healing process for canker sores in the throat. In more severe cases, it may be worth consulting your doctor to see if medications including corticosteroids or immunosuppressants could offer a solution. Doctors may also suggest laser therapy, but this is rare for canker sores.
How Long Do Canker Sores Last?
A minor canker sore on tonsils should only last around one to two weeks before healing completely without any scarring. Major canker sores and herpetiform canker sores take slightly longer, taking up to 4 weeks to clear up and potentially leaving some scarring behind.
If your sore lasts longer than 2 weeks, is very painful, or is causing you great difficulty when eating or drinking, then you should contact a doctor as there may be a more serious underlying cause.
Preventing Canker Sores on The Throat
One of the most effective ways to prevent canker sores is by addressing the underlying cause — and your healthcare provider can assist in identifying it:
Issues like ill-fitting dentures or damaged teeth should be corrected to reduce irritation
If certain foods trigger sores or you have conditions like celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), dietary adjustments may also be beneficial
Correcting vitamin deficiencies can play a key role in reducing recurrence
Since stress is a common trigger for many, incorporating stress management techniques into your routine may further help prevent future outbreaks
Stay Ahead of Canker Sores with a Confident Oral Care Routine
Canker sores, though usually harmless, can be painful — especially when they occur in sensitive areas like near the tonsils. While they often heal on their own within a week, more severe or recurring cases may require medical advice to rule out underlying conditions. Managing triggers like stress and avoiding irritating foods can also help reduce flare-ups.
In addition to these measures, maintaining a high standard of oral hygiene is essential — both for comfort during healing and for long-term oral health. That’s where the Oral-B iO Series electric toothbrushes come in. Ideal for keeping your mouth healthy even when it’s feeling sensitive, the iO Series offers a powerful yet gentle clean.
Oral-B proudly champions the importance of a consistent oral care routine — and that includes regular check-ups with your dentist or dental hygienist to stay on top of any concerns before they escalate.
FAQs
Are canker sores on the tonsils dangerous?
How can I treat canker sores on my tonsils?
Can poor oral hygiene cause canker sores on the tonsils?
When should I see a doctor about a canker sore on my tonsil?
Sources
About Our Medical Reviewers
Dr Robert Lee is a dentist with more than thirty years of experience in the industry.
Graduating from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and from the University of New South Wales with a Master of Business Administration, Robert’s career has taken him all over the world – from Australia to Germany to his current position in Chicago, where he is the founder of Denticus Inc., offering strategic dental consulting.
Robert has previously worked for Procter & Gamble as the Director of Professional Scientific Relations in both the Cincinnati and Sydney offices, being responsible for external relations and scientific exchange with leading professional associations and industry thought leaders. He was also responsible for all technical and scientific training for the professional teams in North America and Australia.
Robert has been assisting the team at Oral-B by fact-checking and reviewing our blogs on dental health.
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