How To Heal A Cold Sore: A Dentist's Guide

Those who suffer from cold sores know how painful, uncomfortable, and disruptive they can be to your life. So, when you feel that tell-tale tingling that signifies the development of a new blister, you need to take action quickly to address the outbreak, minimize your pain, and heal your cold sore fast.  

How to Heal a Cold Sore Quickly: Key Highlights From This Article

• Contacting your doctor or dentist as soon as you notice symptoms of a developing sore is vital to getting prompt treatment.  

• Prescription antiviral medications are most effective at minimizing/preventing cold sores from developing and accelerating the healing process.  

• These medications must be administered as soon as possible for maximum efficacy.

• Soft tissue laser treatments can also help to prevent and minimize blisters in addition to accelerating cold sore healing.  

• Several over-the-counter remedies exist that can help your body better fight a cold sore.  

• You can also use over-the-counter remedies to relieve cold-sore-related pain.  

Read the full article to understand cold sores and learn more detailed information for healing cold sores quickly.  

What Is a Cold Sore?

Also called a fever blister, a cold sore is a painful skin blister that develops as a result of an oral herpes infection. The bumps or blisters known as cold sores most commonly erupt on the lips or skip around the mouth, but they can also develop on other areas of the face including your nose, chin, cheeks, and (less commonly) inside the mouth.  

What Causes Cold Sores and How Do They Spread?

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes cold sores, and the virus is highly contagious. HSV can be spread and contracted by:

• Coming into contact with another person's sore by kissing (oral herpes)

• Coming into contact with another person's sore by touching (herpetic whitlow - sores on the hands)

• Coming into contact with another person's sore during oral sex (genital herpes)

• Coming into contact with an HSV-positive person's saliva during an active outbreak

• Sharing items like lip balm, cups, straws, or utensils with a person who has a cold sore

Once a person contracts an oral herpes infection, the virus enters the body and remains dormant (or latent) inside the nerve tissue cells within the individual's head. The latent virus will reactivate from time to time, causing cold sores.  

Cold sores are contagious from the moment an individual experiences the first symptoms until they are completely healed.  

Cold Sore Symptoms

A cold sore is, in itself, the symptom of HSV. When an individual first contracts HSV, the primary infection can involve symptoms in addition to the cold sore, such as:

• Fever

• Painful sores on the soft tissues inside the mouth

• Redness and swelling in the throat

• Sore throat

Except in immunocompromised individuals, the above-listed symptoms rarely recur when the virus reactivates. During recurring HSV episodes, cold sores tend to be the only symptom experienced.  

Cold sores can cause:

• Tingling and/or burning sensations

• Weeping blisters

• Local pain

• Discomfort

• Facial nerve pain

• Redness and swelling

In children and infants, HSV can be a serious illness that causes sores in other places on the body, dehydration, and severe fever. If you think your infant or child has been exposed to HSV, contact their pediatrician immediately.  

What Can Trigger a Cold Sore?

Several things can cause a person with HSV to develop a new cold sore. Some common triggers include:

• Illness

• Sun and wind exposure

• Stress

• Poor sleep

• Injury to the mouth

• Dried out lips

• Hormonal changes (pregnancy or menstruation)

• Eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions

• Certain foods that are high in arginine and low in lysine (wheat, rice, and chocolate)

• Weakened immune system

How Long Does It Take for a Cold Sore to Heal? The Stages of a Cold Sore

Cold sores progress through several stages. Without immediate treatment, they typically take about one to two weeks to heal. Throughout this time, most individuals experience the following stages:

• Prodromal Stage Day 1 - Patients notice tingling, itching, numbness, or pain in the spot where a cold sore will soon form.  

• Day 2 Blister Formation - After about 24 hours, bumps (commonly three to five) begin to form (commonly along the outer edge of the lip). The bumps will then fill with fluid, turning into blisters within a few hours of their formation. The blisters and surrounding area become painfully red and swollen.  

• Days 2 to 3 Weeping - The blisters will begin to weep as they rupture and ooze a clear or yellowish fluid.  

• Days 3 to 4 Crusting - The blisters dry out and form a golden-brown, scab-like crust.  

• Days 4 to 14 Healing - Depending on your body and immune system, the skin beneath the scab will heal, and the scab will come off in one to two weeks after experiencing initial symptoms. During this time, keep the scab moist and do not pick at the scab to avoid infection, scarring, and a slower healing process.  

Continue reading to learn more about how to speed up healing a cold sore.  

Care and Treatment: Cold Sore Relief and Cold Sore Remedies

HSV is a chronic illness, meaning it cannot be cured. However, HSV symptoms can be managed with medical treatment and immune support.

Several cold sore treatments, remedies, and strategies for relief exist. Many are available over-the-counter, but the most effective treatments are those available through prescription medications and treatments that take place in your doctor's or dentist's office.  

Prescription Antiviral Medications

The most common treatment for cold sores is prescription antiviral medication that is taken orally to help speed up the process of healing a cold sore. The medication should be taken within the first day or two of experiencing early symptoms of cold sore development. The medication addresses the underlying viral cause of cold sores, preventing the virus from replicating and spreading.  

Prescription Antiviral Ointments

These prescription medications work in a similar way to orally administered antiviral medications, but they are topically applied to the developing cold sore.  

Laser Treatment

Soft tissue lasers use a specific wavelength of continuous light to address a variety of soft tissue concerns, including cold sores. When patients schedule a laser treatment appointment at the first, tingling signs of a cold sore, laser treatment can prevent or minimize the eruption of cold sore blisters. When blisters have already developed, laser treatment can be used to accelerate the healing and recovery process while reducing pain and swelling.  

Topical Anesthetics

Topical gels containing active ingredients (like lidocaine, benzocaine, or docosanol) temporarily numb your skin, providing relief from cold sores. Some anesthetic ointments are available over-the-counter while others require a prescription.  

Over-the-Counter Pain Relievers

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications available over the counter (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen) can help to alleviate pain and swelling.  

Cold Compress

Applying a cold compress (ice wrapped in a towel) to your cold sore will reduce swelling and help minimize pain and discomfort.  

Immune-Support Supplements

A weakened immune system can contribute to cold sore outbreaks. Taking supplements that support your immune system (such as L-lysine and vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc can help keep your immune response strong to heal and prevent cold sore outbreaks.  

Bee Propolis

Propolis is a waxy compound produced by honeybees. It has naturally occurring anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Propolis is available in both supplements that can be taken orally and in ointments that can be applied to help treat cold sores topically.  

High-Lysine Diet

Consuming foods that are high in lysine (or taking L-lysine supplements) can help prevent cold sores and resolve them more quickly when they do develop. High-lysine foods include eggs, chicken, shrimp, tuna, tofu, cheese, and quinoa.  

Know When to Keep a Cold Sore Moist or Dry

To avoid bacterial infection, ease discomfort, and encourage faster healing, cold sores should be kept dry and clean until a scab forms over the blister. Once a scab has formed, prevent the scab from drying out and cracking. You can keep a scabbed-over cold sore moist by applying sterile petroleum jelly or lip balm.  

Canker Sores: How to Heal a Cold Sore Inside Your Mouth

While it is possible to get cold sores inside your mouth, it is uncommon except in immunocompromised individuals. Most "cold sores" that occur inside the mouth are actually recurrent aphthous ulcers (commonly called canker sores). Canker sores are quite common. They are usually small, shallow sores that erupt on the soft tissues inside the mouth such as the inside of the lips, cheeks, tonsils, gums, floor of the mouth, roof of the mouth, and tongue.  

Unlike cold sores, canker sores are not contagious and are not caused by a virus. Usually, there is no clear cause, but they seem to be spurred on by stress, vitamin deficiencies, and certain medications. They are also associated with a variety of medical disorders and immune deficiencies.  

Canker sores usually heal and go away on their own. If a sore inside your mouth persists longer than two weeks, you should see a doctor for further assessment.  

Cold Sore Care and Treatment With Our Encinitas Dentist

At Sinclair Smiles, we provide our patients with comprehensive oral health. In addition to traditional dental care, we also provide treatment for cold sores and canker sores. In addition to traditional antiviral treatments, our office is equipped with a Biolase soft tissue laser to provide advanced, quick, and effective treatment that will help speed up a cold sore's healing process while providing immediate relief.  

If you're suffering from a cold sore or would like to learn more about laser treatment for cold sores so that you can be better prepared to respond the next time a flareup occurs, we encourage you to contact Sinclair Smiles. Our dentist can talk with you about the treatment options that are available to you and provide you with instructions for scheduling an appointment the next time you develop a cold sore. Please contact our dental office in Encinitas today.

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