FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Canker sores are commonly found on tissue inside of the mouth and are considered ulcers. They are caused by a variety of things including injury to the mouth, acidic foods, dental or orthodontic work, and stress. Cold sores are generally found outside of the mouth and are blisters caused by the HSV 1 Virus.
Cold sores are formed when the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) enters areas of the body through breaks in the skin. The HSV-1 Virus can be shared through contact of infected body fluids, usually saliva. Often times spreading occurs when drinks and utensils are shared, kissing someone with HSV-1 or sharing products that come in contact with the infected tissue or body fluid.
80 to 90 percent of adults have HSV-1. Once you feel a cold sore coming on you are contagious. Cold sores have no long term serious health concerns and are generally cosmetic blemishes. Do not panic if you feel one coming on however the sooner you begin to treat the cold sore, the quicker it will heal.