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Cold Sore Treatment

In around 5 minutes we can use a MVP-7 laser system to encourage ultra-fast healing and to immediately stop any discomfort. If you suffer from embarrassing and painful cold sores around your lips or in your mouth, you can find the answer to your problem at our office.

Benefits of using a laser to treat cold sores:

woman with coldsore on lip

  • Laser energy inhibits the virus that causes the sore
  • Relief is immediate and profound
  • Stops the progression of the lesion
  • Faster healing
  • Treatment takes just a few minutes and doesn’t require anaesthesia (needles)
  • After treatment, some sores will return with less intensity and frequency at the same location.

What Are Cold Sores?

Cold sores are annoying clusters of blisters caused by the virus herpes simplex. Over time, the blisters ulcerate and extend to the skin around the mouth and become covered with a crust or scab. The first signs of a cold sore are commonly itching, burning or tingling sensation. The sores are often painful, occur on a regular basis and appear quite quickly. Some triggers to watch out for include: exposure to sunlight, local trauma, stress, or a decreased immune system. The “raw” stages of the sore are when it is infectious and are contagious. Typically they usually heal within 7-10 days.

stage 1 coldsore
Tingling, itching or burning beneath the skin (usually around the mouth or nose) may begin.

The first sensation is the ideal time to begin treatment.

stage 2 cold sore
1-2 days after stage 1

Small red bumps begin to blister.

stage 3 cold sore
2-3 days after stage 2

The blisters fill with fluid, forming a full-scale cold sore.

Aphthous Ulcer

An aphthous ulcer ( also known as a canker sore) is an autoimmune response which causes the skin inside the mouth to be damaged. The ulcer is usually has a white or yellow center with a red border and can be seen on the inside of the lips or cheeks, on or underneath the tongue, and on the back of the throat. They are usually associated with physical or emotional stress, become painful, and commonly come back in multiple areas. They can vary in size but should usually heal within 2 weeks without treatment. The use of our new laser speeds up healing time and reduces pain throughout healing.

Treatment Process

The treatment itself is pain-free. The laser heats the sore or ulcer in order to inhibit the virus, stimulating your body’s healing mechanisms. The heat is controlled by keeping the tip of the laser several millimeters away from the tissue, taking care not to overheat the area. The skin is not actually touched throughout the process. Most patients feel better immediately after treatment, and do not require another treatment for ulcers. Cold sores by nature are recurrent. However, the laser treatment can lengthen the time between episodes and further breakouts can be suppressed and over time may not return. The time that it takes for the ulcer to heal shortens when compared with no treatment. Treatment time is short and takes approximately 5 minutes.

Reduce your discomfort

Cold sores and aphthous ulcers are best treated at the beginning stages. If treated early, a cold sore may not even blister or ulcer. If you feel an itching, tingling, burning or numb sensation, this is the early sign of a cold sore and you should contact us then to ensure early treatment.
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Cold Sore Treatment Mosman, Cremorne, Neutral Bay, Kirribilli, Cammeray, Balmoral and North Sydney NSW | Hugh Fleming Dentistry