You know how it goes. The itching, the tingling, the feeling like your lip’s on fire—these are all the initial telltale signs that a cold sore is beginning to form. If you’ve ever had one of these painful blisters that make everything from eating to brushing your teeth feel excruciating, then you know that cold sores are no joke.
These pesky little bumps always seem to show up at the worst time possible, and once you get them, it feels like they are impossible to get rid of. Thankfully, general dentistry at Dr. Patty Miami Cosmetic Dentistry offers effective treatments to alleviate the discomfort and speed up the healing process, making those annoying cold sores more manageable.
If you go into full-blown isolation mode anytime you get a cold sore, it’s time to do something about it. At Dr. Patty Miami, we also offer laser treatments to help eliminate these embarrassing blisters and reduce your chances of getting one in the same place in the future.
What Are Cold Sores?
Also called fever blisters, cold sores are groups of small blisters that form on your lip and around your mouth. They can sometimes be mistaken for pimples, but a cold sore is actually a form of the herpes virus.
Although fever blisters can be passed from person to person, they are not the same type of virus as genital herpes. The most common warning signs of a cold sore include a tingling or itching sensation in or around your lips, pain, fever, a sore throat, and swollen lymph nodes.
A few days after the initial symptoms, a reddish blister appears. This blister will eventually break open and leak a clear fluid. Once this happens, it will crust into a crusty, bumpy patch. Cold sores are extremely painful and can take a serious toll on your self-confidence. They are also highly contagious.
Why Choose Dr. Patty?
For Consultation Call Now: (305) 735-3002
Excellent dental care and outstanding customer service are not the only things that set us apart. At Dr. Patty Miami, we pride ourselves on going above and beyond the mark to offer our clients an upscale, anxiety-free experience at every visit.
Discover the exclusive perks offered at Dr. Patty Miami:
Numbness reversal
Numbness can be limiting, affecting one’s speech, smile, and ability to drink after a visit. Dr. Patty’s reversal process allows clients to leave the dental boutique and carry on with their day as if nothing happened, so you don’t have to worry about canceling your engagements after your procedure.
Laser
The professionals at Dr. Patty Miami are committed to your health and wellness. That’s why we use lasers to offer a safe, anxiety-free dental experience without drills and scalpels. This innovative laser technology has several advantages, including minimal intervention and, in most cases, little-to-no anesthesia.
Sedation dentistry
Multiple options for a more comfortable and nerve-free experience.
Personal Concierge Service
We can arrange everything from RedCap or limo transportation to and from your appointment to making nearby lunch or dinner reservations for after your appointment.
Advanced Digital Surround X-Rays
Minimal exposure, more precise, and digitally stored for your convenience.
State-of-the-art technologies and facilities
Complimentary wine & Nespresso coffee bar, hot towel service, temple massage therapy, paraffin treatments, music & movie selections are just a few of the amenities you’ll find at our ultra-chic, upscale facilities.
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What Are Canker Sores?
While it’s not uncommon to hear the terms “cold sore” and “canker sore” used interchangeably, they are actually two different conditions. A slightly less mortifying cousin of the cold sore, canker sores is a painful type of sore known as an aphthous ulcer. These ulcers can occur at any age for a multitude of reasons, and are experienced by almost 30% of the population.
Nobody knows exactly what causes canker sores. These blisters have been associated with other medical conditions, including nutritional deficiency, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain auto-immune diseases. Certain foods, including citrus and fruits and vegetables, also seem to trigger canker sores in some people. Other triggers may include:
- Hormonal changes
- Minor injury to the mouth
- Certain medications
- Food allergies
- Folic acid, iron, or vitamin B12 deficiency
- Stress
Canker sores tend to heal on their own and will rarely require medical treatment. However, if your sores are recurrent or last more than two weeks, you should see your doctor for a prescription medication and to rule out other health issues.
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How Are Cold Sores Treated?
Cold sores typically begin to heal on their own within a few days of breaking open. However, it can take at least a couple of weeks until they disappear completely. If you have a cold sore that’s making you feel self-conscious or causing extreme pain, your dentist at Dr. Patty Miami can offer a few different solutions:
- Prescription creams
- Ointments
- Medication
- Laser treatment
The first three options are effective for managing symptoms but will not shorten the lifespan of your fever blister significantly. Laser therapy is a much more effective treatment option for getting rid of a cold sore fast.
Laser Treatment For Cold Sores
If you catch a cold sore in its early stages, you can actually prevent it from breaking out. As soon as you feel the tingling sensation that warns you of an upcoming cold sore, schedule a visit with a dentist at Dr. Patty Miami to receive laser treatment.
During this quick and virtually painless procedure, your dentist will shine a specialized laser light directly onto the sore area. The laser energy enters the site and zaps the virus causing the outbreak. Since the laser doesn’t actually touch your skin, you won’t feel any pain or require anesthesia. The entire procedure takes only 5 to 10 minutes, and the relief you’ll feel will be intense and immediate.
While the virus that causes cold sores never really “leaves” your body, evidence suggests that once you’ve had a spot lasered, it’s less likely that a cold sore pops up in the same place again.
How Are Canker Sores Treated?
While canker sores clear on their own, there are a few at-home remedies you can use to alleviate the pain and discomfort:
- Over-the-counter ointments containing benzocaine
- Mouthrinses containing hydrogen peroxide and/or dexamethasone
- Rinsing with warm salt water three times a day
- Applying a mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide with a cotton ball
If you have a canker sore that lasts more than two weeks or is interfering with your ability to eat, talk, and brush your teeth, you may be a candidate for laser treatment. Call Dr. Patty Miami or request your complimentary appointment online today.
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