At MI Dental, one of the most common calls we receive sounds something like this:
“I have a sore near my mouth, should I still come in for my cleaning?”
It’s a great question, and the answer depends on the type of sore you are experiencing. While canker sores and cold sores are often confused, they are very different in both cause and how we approach your dental care when you have one.
Canker Sores – Not Contagious, Just Annoying
Canker sores, also known as Aphthous Ulcers, occur inside the mouth, typically on the inner cheeks, lips, tongue or floor of the mouth. They are small, round or oval, with a white or yellowish center and a red halo around them.
They are not contagious.
Most of the time, they show up due to stress, minor trauma, acidic foods or nutritional deficiencies. You might feel a burning or tingling sensation before they appear.
At MI Dental, if you have a canker sore, you can absolutely still come in for your appointment. In fact, many patients don’t even realize they have one until we point it out. We simply work around the sore to avoid irritating it and your cleaning or dental treatment continues as planned.
What Most People Don’t Know
There is no over-the-counter treatment or prescription that speeds up healing. Pain relief gels such as Orajel® can help with discomfort but the sore has to run its course… unless you are at MI Dental.
We are proud to offer CO₂ laser therapy which can significantly reduce pain and accelerate healing of both Minor and Major Aphthous Ulcers. This is a state-of-the-art solution not widely available and we are thrilled to offer it to our patients.
Cold Sores – Contagious and Best Managed at Home
Cold sores, also called fever blisters are a different story. They typically appear outside the mouth, on or around the lips or nose. Unlike canker sores, cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus (usually HSV-1) and are highly contagious, especially during their fluid-filled phase.
If you have a cold sore that is active, meaning it is just forming, blistering or not yet fully healed, we recommend rescheduling your dental appointment.
Why?
Because cold sores can easily spread through contact, including during routine dental procedures. Even with precautions, it is safer for you and our team to delay treatment until the sore resolves.
We are always happy to help reschedule your appointment for when you are no longer contagious. If you are unsure whether it is a cold sore or canker sore, feel free to give us a call and we will help you figure it out.
Quick Guide: Is It a Canker Sore or Cold Sore?
| Feature | Canker Sore | Cold Sore |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Inside the mouth | Outside the mouth (lips/nose) |
| Cause | Stress, trauma, diet, deficiencies | Herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) |
| Contagious? | No | Yes |
| Appearance | White or yellow center, red border | Blister-like, fluid-filled, red |
| Treatment | OTC gels, laser for faster healing | OTC creams, prescription antivirals |
When in Doubt, Call Us
At MI Dental, our goal is to keep you safe and comfortable while delivering top-tier care. If you are unsure whether to keep your dental appointment because of a sore, just call us. We will guide you based on what is best for your health and we might even be able to treat that stubborn canker sore on the spot with our CO₂ laser technology.
Now how about that?
