Cold Sore and Canker Relief!

Many people suffer from cold sores and canker sores. Typically, these sores can last for several weeks and be quite painful. Fortunately, there is laser technology which now allows these sores to be treated without anesthesia and immediately reduce suffering. I am happy to announce that we now feature this laser in our office!

People sometimes confuse canker sores and cold sores, but they are completely unrelated. A canker sore is typically one that occurs on the delicate tissues inside your mouth. It is usually light colored at it's base and can have a red exterior border. A cold sore, or fever blister, on the other hand, usually occurs on the outside of the mouth. A cold sore is a form of the herpes simplex virus, and is contagious. They are usually painful and filled with fluid.

Typically, a canker sore will last for 10-14 days, and a cold sore can last for weeks. Now, in just a few minutes, without the need for anesthesia, we can apply the light from a laser to the sore and cause immediate relief. Generally the sore will finish healing within 24-72 hours. The laser works by heating the skin in the area of the developing sore. This dries out the skin as well as killing off some of the virus and infected skin cells. The result is skipping past the itchy, blistering stage of the sore to the scabbing, healing stage. By reducing the time of the blistering stage, this also helps decrease the potential spread of the virus causing the sore to surrounding areas. Additionally, in the case of canker sores, studies have shown that after laser treatment, no other sores will ever occur in that area.

In my next blog, I will discuss the many other uses for this laser in dentistry. Treatment of these sores is one small application of the laser, but a very helpful one to many people. If you suffer from cold sores or canker sores, give us a call. A few minutes of your time could save you from weeks of suffering!