Cold Sore
Cold Sores are caused by a virus (Herpes Simplex Virus). They present with vesicles and rupture into ulcers which affect the lips & surrounding area, gums and palate. Often these vesicles are preceded by tingling, burning or pain in the area where lesions form later on.
They heal leaving no scar in 1 to 2 weeks and tend to re-occur near same site.
Treatment: Antiviral medication within 48 hours of start of cold sores. Topical medication can be somewhat effective. They do not prevent re-occurrence.
Laser Treatment: If lesions can be treated with laser as soon as symptoms appear, it will reduce healing time & pain. Laser treatment can also prevent re-occurrence of cold sores in same area. Typically, no anesthetic is needed for laser treatment of cold sores, and it takes around 10 minutes for treatment.
Canker Sore (Aphthous Ulcer)
They are painful recurrent ulcers, preceded by symptoms of tingling or burning and primarily presents on tongue, floor of the mouth, soft palate and inside of cheek & lip area.
There are three types of Canker Sores
Minor Aphthae: Less than 0.5 cm in size, oval shaped, 1-5 in number. Lasts 7 to 10 days.
Major Aphthae: More than 0.5 cm in size, ragged oval shape, 1 – 10 in number, more painful than Minor Aphthae & takes longer to heal.
Herpetiform Aphthae: A recurrent crops of small ulcers. Less than 0.5 cm in size, oval, 10 – 100 in number, occurs anywhere in mouth, heals in 1 to 2 weeks.
Treatment: Topical/systemic corticosteroids, tetracycline mouthrinse, saltwater rinses, and over the counter analgesics for pain management.
With the latest Laser Treatment option for Canker Sores, the ulcers heal faster, pain is reduced and prevents swelling. The laser treatment has to be done within two days of start of symptoms. It only takes 10 minutes for laser treatment and typically no anesthetic is needed.
