What Could Cause Painful Swelling And Irritation At The Fimbriated Fold Of The Tongue?

The two lines under my tongue (I think they’re called plica fimbriata) are swollen/irritated and it really hurts. There’s a little white extension on one that hurts. I tried a salt water rinse but it makes my ear hurt and vibrate when salt touches the lines. What do I do? And what is it? What’s the cause?