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Oral Health

Is Your Mouth Sore Something Serious?

By August 21, 2015No Comments

As your local Cary dentist, one of my roles is to help you take care of your mouth. Some of my patients have problems with mouth sores, thus the topic of today’s post.

If you live in the Raleigh area and have a mouth sore that lasts more than a week or two; it is vital to come in for an exam. Mouth sores can be an indicator of disease, and an early assessment aids in preventing more serious troubles. If necessary, essential treatment and pain relief can be offered. In extreme cases, I will refer you to a medical professional in the Raleigh area who specializes in diseases that can cause mouth sores.

There are two types of mouth sores that are common in the Raleigh area; canker sores and cold sores.

Canker sores are small ulcer-like sores with a white or gray base and a red border. They are found on the inside of the mouth and while they are not contagious, they can be painful. Typically a canker sore heals in a week or two. Antimicrobial mouth-rinses, over-the-counter topical anesthetics, and avoiding spicy and acidic foods helps with temporary relief while your sore is healing.

The cause of canker sores is not certain. Possible explanations include: a cut on the inside of the mouth, a reaction to extreme temperatures, acids from food or drink, fatigue, stress, and allergies. Some studies point to bacteria or a virus, or combinations of all these factors.

Cold sores, also called fever blisters or Herpes Simplex, are groups of fluid-filled blisters that appear around the lips, sometimes appearing under the nose or around the chin. Cold sores are contagious and painful, but usually heal in about a week. Some over-the-counter anesthetics provide relief.

There are industry-leading antiviral drugs on the market that have shown promise in reducing outbreaks, but there is currently no known cure. The initial infection, known as primary herpes, often occurs before adulthood. Once the virus infects you, it may stay in your body and remain inactive or cause occasional cold sore outbreaks. Outbreaks may be triggered by a fever, sunburn, skin abrasions, stress, or exposure to extremes in temperature.

In some cases, a change in the way you care for your mouth reduces the frequency of mouth sores. If you are in the Cary, area and would like to talk to a dental professional about mouth sores, give us a call at Cary Family Dental to schedule an examination.

Our number is 919-371-4428.

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