Cold Sores: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Dental Visits

/ Glenn Reit D.D.S./

You may be sore but you’ll be even sorer if you have a cold sore.  About 25% of the population has recurring cold sores.  They usually take eight to ten days to resolve.  They are generally small blisters at the borders of your lips.

What causes them? They are outbreaks of the herpes simplex virus which is present within 85% of the general population.  The virus is related to the virus that causes chicken pox.  You usually obtain the virus when you are very young through skin contact or skin to saliva contact from a family member.  Once you contract the virus it never leaves you but not everyone who has the virus develops cold sores.

Outbreaks can be triggered by stress, illness, fatigue, ultraviolet light, fever, nerve damage, menstrual cycle, or a compromised immune system. Usually the first sign that you’re about to have an outbreak is a tingling or burning sensation at the edge of your lip.

A typical outbreak will go through the following stages; tingling, blister, ulcer, scabbing and then healing into a slight pink scar.  You are contagious throughout the stages.

Treatment consists of using an antiviral cream or pill.  The sooner you start the treatment the better.  We generally will delay your dental treatment until the cold sore episode resolves.  If you are in pain we can still proceed with treatment using precautions.

At our dental practice we care about you and your teeth.  If you are in need of a dentist give us a call at 212 517 9000.   We are conveniently located at 1498 Third Avenue between 84thand 85th streets on the second floor of a five story brownstone.  We are one block away from the 4, 5, 6 and Q 86th street subway stations.  Give us a call today; you and your teeth will be glad you did.

Looking for a Dentist in the Upper East Side?

At the practice of Glenn Reit DDS; we provide quality care in a relaxed, comfortable, clean and safe environment. Please contact us today at 212 517 9000 for this or any other of your dental needs. We look forward to seeing and taking care of you!