Visiting the Dentist

If you suffer from cold sores, you know how stressful and frustrating they can be. Some people find visiting a dentist to be stressful, which could serve as a trigger for a cold sore. On the other hand, visiting a dentist while you already have a cold sore may be a worry. In either case, make your dentist an ally and join forces to minimise the chances of an outbreak or of spreading the virus.

Call ahead. If you already have a cold sore, call your dentist in advance. Some dentists prefer not to treat patients with an active cold sore as it can be painful and cause bleeding and irritation. It’s usually better to reschedule your appointment until the cold sore heals and is no longer infectious.

Talk to your dentist. Even if you don’t currently have a cold sore, dental procedures can cause reactivation of the cold sore virus and an outbreak of a cold sore. Your dentist can take precautions that may reduce the risk of this occurring.

Apply a cool compress. If your dental appointment is followed by a cold sore, gently apply a cool compress to ease the irritability and redness.