Cold and Canker Sores

You can get two different types of mouth sores that can be very uncomfortable and painful. Two of the most common mouth sores are canker sores and cold sores. These two different sores are very different from one another, but they both could be the sign of an oral health problem. The causes of canker and cold sores can range from bacteria, infections, stress, or loose fitting dentures.

Canker sores, or aphthous ulcers, form on the inside of your mouth and are not contagious compared to cold sores which form on the lips and edge of your mouth and are contagious. Both canker and cold sores typically heal in a week. If you have one that lasts longer, you should contact a dental professional immediately.

Canker and Cold Sore Symptoms and Treatment

Canker sores are typically linked to allergic reactions, stress, or immune system deficiencies. These sores heal with time and are not contagious. Your dentist may give you any of the following to help with the healing process:

• Prescription mouth rinses or antibiotics
• Topical anesthetic

Cold sores form on the outside of the mouth and are often caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1. Treatment for cold sores is similar to canker sores including the following:

• Topical creams and anesthetics
• Pharmaceutical drugs prescribed by your dentist

If your canker or cold sores last a while and are causing extreme discomfort, contact a professional dentist today.

Contact Us

Contact the Austin dentists of BridgeView Dental today at 512-347-8299 to get the best treatment available.