Canker sores on the tongue are small, painful ulcers with no clear cause, though they may result from minor injuries, acidic foods, or immune system reactions.
Canker sores form when the thin tissue covering the tongue erodes, exposing underlying nerves. This process takes 1-2 days, and the sores heal within 1-2 weeks. Unlike cold sores, canker sores aren't contagious.
| Type | Size | Duration | Common Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor | Small (< 1 cm) | 1-2 weeks | Tongue, inside cheeks |
| Major | Large (> 1 cm) | 2+ weeks | Back of throat, soft palate |
| Herpetiform | Pinpoint clusters | 1 week | Under tongue |
While the exact cause is unknown, several factors contribute:
Many assume canker sores are caused by stress or allergies, but research doesn't confirm these as direct triggers. Stress may weaken immunity, indirectly increasing susceptibility. Similarly, while food sensitivities exist, no single allergen consistently causes sores.
To reduce recurrence, avoid known triggers. For example, switching to an SLS-free toothpaste helped me cut my canker sore frequency by half. Other strategies include: