Mouth Ulcers and Cold Sores What's The Difference?

How to identify and treat mouth ulcers and cold sores naturally

Elaine Godley

Last Update a year ago

Mouth ulcers and cold sores are both painful sores that appear around the mouth, but they are different in several key ways:


Mouth Ulcers (Canker Sores)


- Appear inside the mouth on the tongue, gums, lips or cheeks[1][3]


- Are not contagious and cannot be spread through kissing or sharing food[3]


- Causes are not fully understood but may be triggered by stress, hormonal changes, injuries, vitamin deficiencies or allergies[1][2]


- Usually heal on their own within 1-2 weeks[2][3]


Cold Sores (Fever Blisters)


Caused by the herpes simplex virus and are highly contagious[2][4]


Appear on the outside of the mouth, often on the lips[3][4]


Can also develop on the face, tongue, gums or throat[4]


Triggered by stress, illness, sun exposure, hormonal changes or injury[2][4]


Antiviral medications may help reduce severity and duration of outbreaks[2[4]


Natural remedies that may help heal both types of sores include:- 


Rinsing with a warm salt water solution[1][2]


Applying oils like peppermint, tea tree or lemon balm[1]


Using natural supplements like watermelon frost, fenugreek, basil or cayenne pepper[1]


Avoiding irritants like spicy or acidic foods[1]


Reducing stress through relaxation techniques[1]


While most mouth sores are harmless and resolve on their own, it's important to see a doctor if a sore lasts longer than 2 weeks, is unusually severe, or if you have other concerning symptoms[2][3]. 


Persistent mouth sores could potentially indicate an underlying health condition.


References:


[1] https://barriedentist.ca/big-mouth-blog/general-dental-articles/natural-remedies-canker-cold-sores


[2] https://www.resslerdental.com/how-to-cure-mouth-ulcers-and-cold-sores


[3] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21766-mouth-ulcer


[4] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/canker-sore-vs-cold-sore


[5] https://www.healthline.com/health/canker-sore-vs-cold-sore

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