Menu
140+ Google Reviews
5.0
1000+ Reviews in practice
Request an appointment
Or call us on

01626 21 21 21


we'd love to hear from you

Cold Sores

What are cold sores?

Cold sores are the consequence of a viral infection, normally in childhood. They usually appear on the lips and nostrils but can be more widespread.

How do you catch cold sores?

You can catch cold sores by:

  • Directly touching a cold sore
  • Kissing someone with a cold sore
  • Sharing household objects such as towels, cups and cutlery

What Are The Symptoms?

  • The first signs are usually tingling, burning or itching.
  • Within 24 hours painful blisters form. Blisters breakdown into shallow ulcers after a few days.
  • Cold sores are infectious from the early tingling stage up to the end of the ulcer phase.

Healing is normally complete in 10 to 14 days. In children cold sores can become infected with bacteria and develop impetigo.


Why do they keep coming back?

After the first infection, the virus lies dormant in the nerve that supplies the infected area.

The virus can be reactivated at any time and cause another cold sore.

Various trigger factors are:

  • Stress
  • Fatigue
  • Strong sunlight
  • UV light from sun beds
  • Menstruation or pregnancy
  • Generally when feeling run-down

Our Advice

If you have a cold sore, wash your hands thoroughly if you accidentally touch it.

Do not:

  • Touch the cold Sore
  • Touch your eyes during the infection
  • Kiss (especially children) when you have the infection
  • Pick the ulcers or the scab. You will infect your fingers with the virus
  • Share eating/drinking utensils with others, especially children
  • Share the same towels or face cloths with others in your family
  • Consider rescheduling your dental appointment when a cold sore is present if non urgent as it may cause discomfort during treatment

Now welcoming new patients

Please get in touch with our friendly team on 01626 212121

Why Choose Us?

Because we are a family run practice with patient care at the heart of everything we do.

See what our patients say

Please get in touch, we'd love to hear from you

Please fill out our contact form and a member of our friendly team will be in touch as soon as possible.

Get in touch

Opening Hours

We are currently closed. However, we reopen Monday at 09:00.

All Opening Hours

What Our Patients Say About Us


  • PART 1 OF REVIEW I was referred to El Nashar in Newton Abbot after my then Dentist in Chudleigh failed to look after my needs. My top front teeth needed urgent repair and I was initially seen by Dr Joanna Sutcliffe. The advice and help I received from commencement has been really good and I am now awaiting a bespoke moulded top teeth fitting to enable me to move forward with teeth !! Initially, I had to see a Hygienist, Sian Baldwin 3 times, and because of her advice I changed my brushing regime to be more thorough. I will return with an update once my treatment is completed. So far everyone is really friendly and give a great service PART 2 OF REVIEW Following my initial review, I am happy to report that I now have an installed set of El Nashar "Gnashers" as my top front teeth !! A bespoke installation thanks to the wonderful handiwork and measurements of Dr Joanna and her brilliant assistant Mary. Right from the start, my experience has been 5 Star. All staff are polite, helpful, and ready to assist. My hygienist, Sian Baldwin, taught me how to properly look after my teeth and I am most grateful for that. I now clean my teeth differently and more thoroughly than I have ever done. With my new El Nashar "Gnashers" from Dr Joanna's design, I am good to go !!! Thank you El Nashar for my ongoing 5 Star Treatment,

    TOPGNU01 - See Google Reviews

  • Great experience as always with Erica and Chloe for my hygienist appointment. Really pleasant staff throughout and great advice. There is a genuine interest in helping patients with their dental hygiene. Best choice I ever made going private here me and the family really rate it.

    Callum m-j - See Google Reviews

  • We had the most incredible experience with Erica today. she truly deserves every one of these 5 stars and more! From the moment we arrived, she was so warm, calm, and genuinely kind with my son Jaxon. She has such a natural way with children and immediately put him at ease, which made the whole appointment feel effortless. Erica was so patient, gentle, and reassuring throughout, taking the time to explain everything in a way that made Jaxon feel comfortable and confident. It’s rare to come across someone who is not only so professional, but also so genuinely caring. I honestly couldn’t recommend her more highly. she completely transformed what could have been a nerve-wracking experience into such a positive one. We’re so grateful — thank you, Erica

    Elizabeth Murphy - See Google Reviews


Leave A Review

Book An Appointment