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Canker sores (or mouth ulcers) generally occur inside the
mouth and are bacterial in nature. They often are triggered
by trauma such as biting your cheek, jabbing your gum with
your toothbrush or even overzealous tooth cleaning. Cold sores
are tiny, clear, fluid-filled blisters that form around the
mouth and are caused by the herpes simplex virus living inside
your nerve tissue. (It is not the same virus that causes genital
herpes.)
Diligence
is key when dealing with your oral health, says AGD spokesperson
Eric Z. Shapira, DDS, MAGD. "You need to be aware of
any kind of lesion in the mouth or around the mouth, then
report it to your dentist so he or she can play 'detective,"
says Dr. Shapira. "It is important to know what it is
and what caused it before it can be treated properly."
Question:
1. Where does it strike?
Cold sore: Outside the mouth
Canker sore: Inside the mouth
2. What does it look like?
Cold sore: Tiny, clear fever blisters usually on the lips
or under the nose
Canker sore: Small ulcer with a white or gray base and red
border
3. What triggers it?
Cold sore: Flare-up of herpes simplex virus
Canker sore: Trauma-Biting your cheek or jabbing gum with
toothbrush
4. How long does it last?
Cold sore: About a week
Canker sore: One or two weeks
5. Is it contagious?
Cold sore: Yes
Canker sore: No
6. How do I treat it?
Cold sore: Aloe Vera or over-the-counter topical anesthetics
to cut pain and discomfort, Over-the-counter medications or,
if needed, prescription antiviral drugs to prevent outbreak
Canker sore: Rinse with antimicrobial mouthwash or warm water
and salt,
Over-the-counter oral anesthetics
About
the Author
Provided by Academy
of General Dentistry
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