Mouth Sores
If you have been bothered by a sore in your mouth that made it
painful to eat and talk, you are not alone. Many otherwise healthy
people suffer from recurrent mouth sores.
Two of the most common recurrent oral lesions are fever blisters
(also called cold sores) and canker sores (aphthous ulcers). When they
occur in the mouth, it may be difficult to distinguish one from the
other. Since the treatment and cause of these two sores are completely
different, it is extremely important to know which is which.
What Are Fever Blisters (Cold Sores)?
These are common names for fluid filled blisters that commonly occur on
the lips. They also can occur in the mouth, particularly on the gums and
roof of the mouth (hard palate), but this is rare. Fever blisters are
usually painful; in fact, the pain may precede the appearance of the lesion
by a few days. The blisters rupture within hours, then crust over. They last
about 7-10 days.
Causes Of Fever Blisters
Fever blisters result from a herpes simplex virus which becomes
active. This virus is latent (dormant) in afflicted people, but can be
activated by conditions such as stress, fever, trauma, hormonal changes,
and exposure to sunlight. When lesions reappear, they tend to form in
the same location.
Can Fever Blisters Be Spread?
Yes, the time from blister rupture until the sore is completely healed is
the time of greatest risk for spread of infection. The virus can spread to
your own eyes and genitalia, as well as to other people.
Prevention
Tips For Fever Blisters:
- avoid mucous membrane contact when a lesion is present
- do not squeeze, pinch or pick at the blister
- wash hands carefully before touching your eyes or genital area, or
another person
Despite all caution, it is important to remember that it is possible to
transmit herpes virus even when no blisters are present.
Treatment For Fever Blisters
Treatment consists of coating the lesions with a protective barrier
ointment containing an antiviral agent, for example 5% acyclovir ointment.
Presently, there is no cure, but there is much research activity underway in
this field. Contact your doctor or dentist for the latest information.
What Are Canker Sores?
Canker sores (also called aphthous ulcers) are small, shallow ulcers
occurring on the tongue, soft palate, or inside the lips and cheeks. They
are quite painful, and usually last 5-10 days.
Causes Of Canker Sores
The best available evidence suggests that canker sores result from an
altered local immune response associated with stress, trauma, or local
irritants, such as eating acidic foods (i.e., tomatos, citrus fruits and
some nuts.)
Can Canker Sores Be Spread?
No, since they are not caused by bacteria or viral agents, they cannot be
spread locally or to anyone else.
Treatment For Canker Sores
The treatment is directed toward relieving discomfort and guarding
against infection. A topical corticosteroid preparation such as
triamcinolone dental paste (Kenalog in Orabase 0.1%®) is helpful.
Unfortunately, no cure exists at present.
What About Other Sores?
For any mouth lesion that does not heal in two weeks, you should see
your physician or dentist.