Riverside Dental Wellness office Treats Cold Sores

As we are well into fall and approaching winter, many individuals are experiencing the onset of cold sores.  A cold sore is a form of the herpes simplex virus which we are all exposed to typically at a young age.  The virus lives in the nerve cells of the skin once an individual has been infected with this form of herpes simplex.

Each person reacts to the herpes simplex virus differently.  For some individuals, they only experience one cold sore in their life time, while others experience cold sores on a regular basis.  Cold sores are highly contagious when they are in the “weeping” stage when pus is present, rather than if they are in their dry stage.

Here at my Riverside Cosmetic and Dental Wellness office, we use a laser to disinfect the cold sore infection.  Many of our patients who experience cold sores on a routine basis have the cold sore lesion treated by the laser approximately 3 times in the infected area in order for the cold sore to never resurface again.  The laser must be used at the onset of the cold sore when the “tingling” sensation is occurring.  If the lesion is already present, the laser can reduce the discomfort along with help “dry” up the cold sore.

Things that can aggravate the herpes simplex virus:

Emotional Stress

Fatigue

Illness (cold or the flu)

Injury to the lip or skin around the lip

Excessive exposure to sunlight

Pregnancy

Menstruation

Weakened immune system

If you are interested in treating your cold sore with the latest in dental technology please contact my Riverside Cosmetic and Dental wellness office.  Located just off of the 91-freeway in Riverside. (951)686-3666.