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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.

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What Our Patients Say About Us


  • I met Andrew Pickering for my first appointment this week, having had Mr El-Nashar for many years. I found Andrew Pickering to be extremely thorough during my check-up and very polite and clear in his explanations. He was able to answer all of my questions showing extensive knowledge. The reception staff were very polite and professional, as always.

    Bridget Greet - See Google Reviews

  • I am so happy to have discovered this dental practice, as having ongoing dental issues, it was the first thing I organised when I moved to Newton Abbot. Joanna is an amazing dentist who puts you at ease, explains everything clearly before and during the treatment and you leave smiling. She knows her stuff and I have full faith in her for my future treatment. My appointment with Fran was also excellent. She was thorough, friendly and gave me good aftercare advice.

    Helen Mclean - See Google Reviews

  • A first class dental practice which provides a first class service to its patients. All of the staff deserve praise, as they do their very best to make sure that their patients are well looked after, during what could otherwise be a somewhat traumatic visit for their dental treatment.

    Tony Ravenscroft - See Google Reviews


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