One of the most important things that a dentist can do for you is to contextualize the things that are going on with your oral health. It can be a little bit difficult to tell what could be causing any given oral health problem without the help of a professional.
For example, if you’re dealing with chronic mouth sores, it’s easy to be annoyed. However, you might not know what the problem is, how you can deal with it, or even whether its worth bringing to the attention of a dentist. Here’s what you should know.
Cold and Canker Sores
Of course, there are plenty of things that can cause small lumps, abnormalities, or abrasions in the mouth. However, the most frequent sores you’ll see in the mouth are either canker or cold sores. Therefore, being able to distinguish them from one another will go a long way toward helping you diagnose your issue.
What are Cold Sores?
Cold sores are a consequence of the herpes simplex virus. When you catch this condition for the first time, they may be accompanied with flu-like symptoms. After that, they’ll usually appear as fluid-filled lumps on the lips or around the mouth, followed by a small scab after they’ve burst. Such sores will go away on their own in around one or two weeks, though the underlying viral condition will remain.
What are Canker Sores?
Canker sores, as opposed to cols sores, only occur inside of the mouth. They can be located on the cheeks, gums, below or even on the tongue. These canker sores are generally ovular in shape, can be white or yellow, and can even have a thin red border around them.
Herpetiform canker sores are less common, but can sometimes sprout up in small clusters the size of pinpricks.
In either case, you should expect the canker sore to go away within a few weeks without any intervention.
Other Sores to Think About
You might be a little bit curious about oral cancer, which in many cases can appear as lesions in the mouth. The main thing that distinguishes it from either canker or cold sores is that they will not fade on their own. If you find that a lesion sticks around for a few months, or if it gets worse instead of better, it may be worth talking to a dentist about an oral cancer exam.
About Our Practice
At Dean Dental, our woman-led dental team has spent years helping patients look and feel their best. We’ve seen everything at this point, so no matter what problem you come to us with we probably have experience with it, and will be able to offer you incredible compassion throughout the entire process of treatment. Whether it’s mouth sores, oral abscesses, or just a nice checkup and cleaning, we’ll be happy to help you!
If you have any questions about mouth sores, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (724) 204-5858.