Cold Sores vs. Canker Sores: What’s Really Going On in Your Mouth?

Hey there! Clove Dental says Hello! Today we’re diving into a topic that is full of curiosity and confusion. Something that must have bugged you at some point “those weird painful mouth sores”. They show up uninvited and make eating your favorite foods a real pain.
But not all mouth sores are the same. Location, cause, appearance and symptoms, help us in differentiating them. Understanding their difference is the key to finding the appropriate relief option. Today let’s break down the difference between cold sores and canker sores, as we’ve seen plenty of confused faces about this.

Where Are These Sores Hiding?

First things first – location is key.
Cold sores are the extroverts of the mouth sore world. They love hanging out on your lips or around your mouth, basically saying “Hey, look at me!”
Canker sores? They’re the introverted, shy kids sitting at the back of the class, causing trouble. They always like to hide inside your mouth – located in your gums, cheeks, or tongue.

What Leads to All This Trouble?

Cold sores are a viral infection, caused by the herpes simplex virus, to be exact. It sounds freaky, but is way more common than you’d think. But yeah, once you’ve got it, it’s like that subscription you forgot to cancel – it keeps coming back.
Canker sores are trickier. We’re not 100% sure what causes them, but they sure aren’t contagious. It seems to be aggravated by stress, poor dietary choices or perhaps you just went too hard on that crusty bread and nicked your cheek. The jury’s still out on this one.

Spot the Difference

Let’s quickly summarize it for you to spot the difference easily
Cold sores usually start with this weird tingly feeling, a blister pops up, eventually turning into a scab.
Whereas Canker sores? They’re like little crater lakes in your mouth, usually with a white or yellow center.

Treatment Options

Both conditions usually resolve on their own within one to two weeks. However, there are treatments available to manage symptoms and potentially speed up healing:

For cold sores:
Over-the-counter antiviral creams
Prescription antiviral medications for severe cases
Applying ice to reduce swelling
For canker sores:
Antimicrobial mouthwashes
Topical pain-relieving gels
Salt water rinses
Home Care and Relief For immediate relief, consider these home remedies:
For cold sores:
Applying cold compress or petroleum jelly, helps to soothe the area.
For canker sores:
Try warm salt water rinses or applying a small amount of honey to the sore.
For both:
Avoid hot, spicy or acidic food that irritates the sores.

When to Contact a Professional?
Increased frequency of appearance of sores in your mouth might be a sign of concern. If you feel them turning into permanent residents, it might be time for an expert advice. We’ve seen it all, so no need to be embarrassed.

There you have it – the basic breakdown of cold sores vs. canker sores. So next time one of these troublemakers shows up, you’ll know exactly what you’re dealing with.
Always remember dear readers, a healthy mouth is a happy mouth. And we at Clove are aimed at keeping that smile healthy and happy!