People always confuse canker sores with a cold sore, but they are completely different. Being different, they both need individual treatments to be eliminated. Here we are going to discuss canker sores and cold sores, symptoms, and how to get rid of them.
Canker Sore
Aphthous ulcers, commonly known as canker sores, are painful blisters that appear inside the mouth. They are found in women twice as much as in men and usually, appear around the age of ten and twenty, sometimes even as early as two years of age.
Causes of Canker Sore
There is no definite cause for a sore to occur. It may be because of some allergic reaction or a virus in your mouth. Sometimes even citrus fruits and other acidic foods lead to the frequent occurrence of canker sores, but it is not scientifically proven yet.
Some other external factors that may cause them are injury or irritation, smoking, stress, a diet lacking vitamin B12, folic acid or iron, or even the onset of menstruation for some women.
Treatment for Canker Sore
There is no solution to stop their occurrence completely. Canker sores usually disappear by themselves after 5 to 6 days. However, there are steps by which you can reduce the cure time.
Cleansing antiseptic medications can be used to rinse or gargle 3 to 4 times a day or as directed to promote quicker healing. Avoid spicy food to prevent discomfort during this time.
Cold Sore
More commonly known as cold sores, fever blisters are not caused by the common cold that people catch. They typically occur due to a viral infection called herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Causes of Canker Sore
This is a very common sore, and almost 50% of children and 90% of adults have already had HSV. There are two types of HSV, depending on their location. HSV 1 occurs above the waist (e.g., a cold sore on the lip), and HSV 2 occurs below the waist (e.g., sexually transmitted sores on the genital area).
Treatment for Canker Sore
Like canker sores, cold sores also have no special cure. They disappear after a few days. However, some medications like penciclovir cream or zinc oxide ointment may relieve pain and soften the HSV crust on the skin.
Dr. Jeanne V. Devi, DDS, and her team of dental assistants are here to help you with expert treatment for canker sores and cold sores. Call Dentist in Pasadena CA at (626) 795-2544 or visit our website to schedule appointments and know more about it from our experts. We are located at 595 E Colorado Blvd Suite 603, Pasadena, CA 91101.
