What Is A Cold Sore?

 

Signs and symptoms for cold sores

Cold sores--also called fever blisters--are fluid-filled lesions caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 infection.  If you've had one before, you may sense a new one coming by a telltale tingling on your lip.  Sure enough, in a day or two, red blisters appear on your lip.  It's another cold sore, probably happening at a bad time, and there's no way to hide it or make it go away quickly.  Cold sores are quite different from canker sores.  Though you can't cure or prevent cold sores, you can take steps to reduce their frequency and to limit the duration of an occurrence.  They are small, painful, raised fluid-filled blisters.  Tingling often precedes them, and they usually last 10 to 14 days.  

Signs and symptoms may not start for as long as 20 days after exposure to the herpes simplex virus, although more typically they appear within about one week of exposure.  The blisters form, break and ooze.  Then a yellow crust forms and finally sloughs off to uncover pinkish skin that heals without a scar.  

Source:  Mayo Clinic  

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Causes of Canker Sores

Factors For Outbreaks 

A combination of factors contributes to outbreaks.  Triggers include:  injuries that cause lacerations of the soft tissues of your mouth, from dental work, overzealous brushing, spicy or acidic foods, or an accidental biting of your cheek or tongue.  Toothpastes or mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate can be associated.  Food sensitivities to things like chocolate, coffee, strawberries, eggs, nuts, cheese and highly acidic foods are causes.  Insufficient intake of vitamin B-12, zinc, folic acid or iron, and hormonal shifts during menstruation and emotional stress are also causes.  Conditions or diseases that predispose:  celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's, ulcerative colitis), a faulty immune system and HIV/AIDS.

Description of Canker Sores

If you have canker sores that are unusually large, recur (with new ones developing before old ones heal), last three weeks or more, extend into the lips, cause uncontrolled pain, or cause extreme difficulty eating or drinking, then it is time to consult your dentist.  

Source:  Mayo Clinic 

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Preventing Canker Sores

Canker sores often recur, but you may be able to reduce their frequency by following these tips:  

Watch what you eat:  Try to avoid foods that irritate your mouth, including nuts, chips, pretzels, certain spices, salty foods and acidic fruits (e.g., citrus).  Avoid any foods to which you are sensitive or allergic.  

Choose healthy foods:  To help prevent nutritional deficiencies, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.  Don't chew and talk at the same time:  You could cause minor trauma to the delicate lining of your mouth.  

Follow good oral hygiene habits:  Regular brushing after meals and flossing daily can rid your mouth of foods that might trigger a sore.  Use a soft brush and avoid toothpastes and mouth rinses that contain sodium lauryl sulfate.  

Protect your mouth:  If you have braces or other dental appliances, be mindful of the sharp edges.  

Reduce your stress:  If your canker sores are related to stress, learn to use stress reduction techniques, such as meditation or guided imagery.  

Source:  Mayo Clinic 

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

How To Treat Canker Sores

Home Remedies

If you don't want to wait out the one or two weeks it usually takes for the sores to go away, these home remedies can help relieve pain and speed healing:  

• Rinse with salt water (one teaspoon in an 8 ounce glass of warm water), or baking soda (one teaspoon in a half cup warm water), or a mixture of 1 part benedryl to either 1 part Kaopectate or 1 part Maalox.  Be sure to spit out the mixtures after rinsing.  

• You can dab a small amount of milk of magnesia on the sore a few times a day.  Professional treatment might include a prescription mouth rinse containing the steroid dexamethasone to reduce pain and inflammation.  

• Topical pastes with active ingredients such as benzocaine (Anbesol), amlexanox (Aphthasol) and fluodinonide (Lidex, Vanos) can help relieve pain and speed healing if applied to individual sores as soon as they appear, and then two to four times a day until they heal.  

• Heartburn medications (Tagamet) may be helpful.  

Other Treatment Options

Sometimes, the sore is cauterized (burned, seared or destroyed) with an instrument or chemical solution.  Debacterol is a topical solution designed to treat canker sores and gum problems.  Nutritional supplements (folic acid, B-6, B-12, or zinc) may be prescribed.  If your canker sores relate to a more serious health problem, the underlying condition must be explored.  

Source:  Mayo Clinic  

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

What Is A Cold Sore?

Signs and symptoms for cold sores

Cold sores--also called fever blisters--are fluid-filled lesions caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 infection.  If you've had one before, you may sense a new one coming by a telltale tingling on your lip.  Sure enough, in a day or two, red blisters appear on your lip.  It's another cold sore, probably happening at a bad time, and there's no way to hide it or make it go away quickly.  Cold sores are quite different from canker sores.  Though you can't cure or prevent cold sores, you can take steps to reduce their frequency and to limit the duration of an occurrence.  They are small, painful, raised fluid-filled blisters.  Tingling often precedes them, and they usually last 10 to 14 days.  

Signs and symptoms may not start for as long as 20 days after exposure to the herpes simplex virus, although more typically they appear within about one week of exposure.  The blisters form, break and ooze.  Then a yellow crust forms and finally sloughs off to uncover pinkish skin that heals without a scar.  

Source:  Mayo Clinic    

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Treating Canker Sores

What are canker sores?

Aphthous ulcers, or canker sores, are common oral health lesions.  They are single, isolated lesions that occur on cheeks, lips, or tongue and are caused by stress, trauma, or food allergies.  They are not contagious.  They are typically small, round, flat, painful sores with very defined borders.  Canker sores differ from cold sores, which are caused by the Herpes virus and are usually external and are contagious.

Canker sore treament

Treatment of canker sores involves pain relief, by applying topical solutions or corticosteroid pastes to cover the lesions and protect them from the environment, reducing pain and helping them heal faster.  Sometimes they can be cauterized, either surgically or chemically, to eliminate the nerve endings that are causing the pain, allowing the lesion to heal normally.  The normal duration of canker sore healing is 7 to 10 days.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309