Cold Sore Treatment
Cold sores can be painful and embarrassing, our skilled dental team offers laser cold sore treatment to provide you relief and get you smiling again.
One of our favorite uses for the diode laser is its ability to treat cold and canker sores, reducing their duration as well as almost immediately relieving the discomfort that they cause. The light from the laser neutralizes any bacterial or viral components in the affected area, reducing sensitivity and speeding the healing process. If you’ve ever had a cold sore or canker sore, you can see why we love this function of the diode laser!
Without treatment, cold sores typically heal within a few days of the initial breakout and vanish within a few weeks. Creams, ointments, and over-the-counter treatments can shorten healing times to three or four days. However, we have determined that diagnosing the outbreak early and administering the laser treatment can greatly improve healing times and sometimes prevent cold sores altogether.
We invite you to learn more about our cold sore treatments by visiting our office or calling us at 262-284-9011.
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What are cold sores?
Cold sores, also known as herpetic lesions, are small blisters that appear on the lip and around the mouth. They are caused by a herpes simplex (HSV-1) infection. Cold sore breakouts are a common occurrence that affects an estimated 67% of the global population. While there is no cure for HSV-1, laser treatment can improve healing time.
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How are cold sores treated?
If you feel the initial tingling sensation that accompanies a cold sore outbreak, call your dentist right away. Your dentist can diagnose your cold sore during a routine exam, at which time we will determine if laser treatment is right for you. Laser treatment works by destroying the virus and stopping the progression of the herpetic lesion, meaning you won’t experience more sores.
Here are the typical recovery times you can anticipate:
- Two days with laser treatment
- Four to five days without laser treatment
- Three to four days with ointment or cream
Fully developed lesions may not be treatable with our laser, so it’s important to catch the outbreak as soon as possible.
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What causes cold sores?
Cold sores are a common viral infection. They are tiny, fluid-filled blisters on and around your lips and are often grouped together in patches. After the blisters break, a crust forms over the resulting sore and will usually heal in two to four weeks without leaving a scar.
Cold sores spread from person to person through close contact, such as kissing. They’re caused by a herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) closely related to the one that causes genital herpes (HSV-2). They are contagious even if you can’t see them yet.
More Questions?
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a cold sore treatment, contact our office and we'll be happy to help.
