A fever blisters, or cold sores, are red, swollen, and sore wounds that occur near the mouth or other parts of the face, which can last over 10-14 days. Fever blisters release a clear fluid which begins to scab after a few days, and at that time, it gets most contagious.
If your fever blisters don't start healing even after six days, then you should visit your dentist. Also, if you:
The herpes simplex virus causes fever blisters. In most cases, these fever blisters heal without treatment, but if the blisters show signs of worsening, our dentist will prescribe medications that could relieve the pain and promote healing.
A canker sore, also known as an aphthous ulcer, is a painful sore or ulcer that is white or yellow in color and occurs in the mouth, mainly inside the lips or cheeks. They are usually surrounded by red and inflamed soft tissue.
Canker sores may occur due to several reasons, such as:
Follow the tips below to prevent canker sores:
Canker sores are non-contagious and may usually heal within a few weeks without treatment. But if the pain persists and still doesn't heal in a few days, then you should visit your dentist as soon as possible to eliminate oral cancer as a cause. Our dentist will conduct a thorough checkup, and if it's a canker sore, she will recommend certain mouth rinses, pastes, and medication.
Historic Hyde Park Dentistry has been transforming smiles for Decades. Dr. Lori and her team use state-of-the-art technology to dental problems and reconstruct maligned teeth to provide aesthetic and healthy smiles. For inquiries & appointments, please reach out to us at 813-253-3041. You can also visit our office at 612 West De Leon Street, in Tampa, FL 33606.