Cold sores have a bad habit of showing up at exactly the wrong time. They show up before a big meeting, a vacation, or, of course, picture day. However, you don’t have to deal with them much longer! Our dentists have a secret trick that can stop those painful little spots
At Lake Forest Smiles, we’re proud to offer laser therapy that can treat cold sores, sometimes before they even break the surface. No creams, no waiting games, just fast, effective relief.
What Are Cold Sores?
Cold sores (a.k.a. fever blisters) are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) and tend to pop up around the lips, nose, or chin. Once you’ve had an outbreak, the virus hangs out in your nerve tissue like an uninvited guest, waiting for a trigger to reappear. They can be painful or cause an interruption to an otherwise perfect smile.
Our Solution? Laser Dentistry
Here’s where the magic of dental lasers comes in. Our gentle, high-tech laser targets the affected area, whether it’s just starting to tingle or has already caused a sore.
- If you come in during the early “tingle” stage, the laser can stop the outbreak entirely.
- If the sore is already visible, laser treatment can reduce its size, pain, and healing time dramatically.
How Does It Work?
At Lake Forest Smiles, we use a specialized dental laser that emits a concentrated beam of light energy. When applied to the area where a cold sore is forming or already visible, this energy goes to work in three key ways:
Step 1: Laser Eradicates The Virus
Our high-tech dental laser targets the herpes virus (that annoying culprit behind cold sores) and shuts down its activity at the source. It zaps the virus in the tissue before it can spread or multiply!
Step 2: Boost the Healing Vibes
As it works, the laser also supercharges your body’s natural healing powers. It increases blood flow to the area, which brings in all the good stuff like oxygen, nutrients, and healing cells. Simply put, your sore heals faster and looks way less swollen in the mirror.
Step 3: Bye-Bye, Pain
Here’s the best part: the laser seals up irritated nerve endings, which means instant relief from that stinging, burning, itchy spot. Most people feel better before they even walk out the door.
It’s quick (around 10-15 minutes), totally comfortable (no needles or numbing required), and safe for everyone. Plus, there’s no downtime! Just smoother skin, faster healing, and way fewer painful blemishes.
Even More Amazing Benefits
Laser treatment doesn’t just help in the moment, it can actually reduce how often cold sores show up in the first place. Many of our patients say they get fewer outbreaks after just a few laser sessions, and when one does pop up, it’s smaller and heals faster.
You can even use the laser preventively. If you’re someone who always gets a cold sore before flying, after getting sun, or when you’re extra stressed,, we can schedule a quick laser session ahead of time to nip the issue in the bud.
The treatment is also:
- Totally safe for kids, teens, and adults
- Non-invasive and medication-free
- Scar-minimizing with no lingering redness
- Confidence-boosting, especially when there’s an event on your calendar
Basically, it’s a tiny light with major power to help you look and feel your best!
Let’s Zap That Sore!
Ready to ditch the creams and start zapping cold sores for good? Whether you’re prepping for a big day or just tired of dealing with outbreaks, Lake Forest Smiles is here to help! If you feel a cold sore coming on, give us a call today and ask about our laser treatment! Your smile will thank you!