What is a Cold Sore?
Cold sores are small blisters that appear around the mouth, on the gums, or on the roof of the mouth. They can be itchy and painful. Also called fever blisters, they’re caused by the herpes simplex virus.
Helping Treat Cold Sores
Laser therapy utilizes light that can be amplified to certain wavelengths and this light energy can be used in general dentistry for a number of applications.
At Airdrie Dental Studio, we use laser therapy to:
- Reduce pain of sores and speeds up healing
- Stop cold sores of fever blisters from appearing and reduce the blisters from progressing
- Speed up healing time by a few days even if a blister is already present
How does laser treatment work?
Cold sores are best treated before a blister appears. The Odyssey Diode Laser used at our Airdrie clinic can contain the outbreak if it’s done as soon as you feel the tingling or itchy sensation of a cold sore coming on.
If you’ve previously had cold sores, they are likely to appear in the same spot. Once you notice the symptoms, contact us immediately.
Even if the blisters have already appeared, you can still undergo laser therapy. The process will still help reduce pain and promote faster healing. Laser therapy will also help future breakouts be less frequent and severe.
Is laser therapy uncomfortable?
Laser therapy is a quick procedure, with most sessions lasting only five minutes. You may feel a stinging sensation during the therapy, but overall it should be a pleasant experience.
The Odyssey Diode Laser Therapy only targets dead tissue. Since the laser allows for accurate modifications, it will not damage or touch surrounding tissue. The affected area is sanitized to prevent infection.
A scab may form in the area after the procedure but will heal quickly.