Cold Sores, Laser Treatment & Lip Care at Ballard Family Dentistry

What are cold sores?

Cold sores (also called fever blisters) are small, fluid-filled blisters that appear around the lips, nose or mouth. They are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Once you’ve been infected, the virus remains dormant in nerve tissue and may reactivate during times of stress, illness, sun exposure, fatigue or weakened immunity.
Common triggers include:

• A tingling or burning sensation (prodrome) before the visible blister

• Sunlight / wind exposure

• Illness or weakened immune system

• Emotional stress

For many people, cold sores are more than a nuisance — they can cause pain, visible disruptions, and recurring outbreaks. That’s why we at Ballard Family Dentistry take a proactive approach.

Why laser treatment can help

Traditionally, treatments for cold sores include antiviral creams, oral medications, lip balms and home remedies. While these can help, newer laser therapies offer a powerful alternative.

Here’s what research and clinical practices show about laser treatment:

• Dental/soft-tissue lasers target the outbreak site early and can shorten healing time dramatically.

• When treated early (at the tingling/prodrome stage), many patients avoid the full blister formation altogether.

• Benefits of laser treatment include faster healing, less pain, and fewer recurrences in the same spot.

• A specific field study treated recurrent herpes labialis with a diode laser (970 nm) and found that most patients felt symptoms subside during the treatment and many did not experience recurrence.

At Ballard Family Dentistry, we’re proud to offer this service so you don’t have to suffer through a cold sore any longer than necessary.

Two paths: At-home care & In-office laser treatment

At-home care (good first step):
We recommend patients immediately begin supportive care as soon as they feel that tingling or burning-outbreak signal. This includes:

• Using a high-quality, medicated lip balm such as Dr. Dan’s CortiBalm, which contains 1% hydrocortisone in a hypoallergenic base and is formulated to reduce inflammation in chapped or irritated lips (including cold-sore associated lip irritation).
  Dr. Dan’s CortiBalm works by calming inflammation, providing a protective barrier, and assisting healing.

• Keeping lips clean and dry, avoiding lip-licking, direct sun or wind exposure, and avoiding sharing items (cups, utensils, lip-products) during an outbreak.

• If you purchase an at-home red-light or laser device (there are options marketed for “cold sore treatment at home”), these may help but they’re generally less effective than in-office professional lasers.

• Monitor closely. If the sore progresses or you get frequent recurrences, schedule with us.

In-office laser treatment at Ballard Family Dentistry:
When you come to us at the first sign of a cold sore (tingle, redness, small bump) we can apply a dental/soft-tissue laser to the area. Here’s what to expect:

• The treatment is quick — often under 10-15 minutes.

• It’s non-invasive and generally comfortable (you may feel warmth or tingling) with no needles or major downtime.

• In many cases, healing is faster and the outbreak is less intense than if untreated.

• Importantly, by treating early we increase the chance that the sore will never fully erupt, or if it does, it will be smaller, less painful and heal faster.

Which route is right for you?

• If you have your first cold sore, or only occasional ones, start with at-home care (CortiBalm, lip protection, rest).

• If you have frequent outbreaks, or this one is progressing despite home care, call us. We can often see you quickly and apply laser treatment.

• If you feel a tingling onset, don’t wait — early intervention is key for best results.

Prevention & trigger management

While laser and CortiBalm provide excellent relief and healing, prevention remains the best strategy:

• Use a lip balm consistently, especially when out in the sun, wind or cold.

• Protect lips with SPF lip-products and avoid picking or irritating them.

• Manage stress, get enough sleep, and maintain a healthy diet – all of which support your immune system.

• If you find you always get cold sores at the same spot (lip edge, corner of mouth), ask us about scheduling preventative checks or early-laser visits when you feel the tingle coming on.

• Keep a small tube of CortiBalm handy so you can apply as soon as you feel a cue.

Why choose Ballard Family Dentistry for cold-sore laser treatment

• We use dental-laser technology, and our team is trained in treating soft-tissue lesions like cold sores.

• We treat the condition in the context of your overall oral health, which means we can check coordination with your dental/lip health, sun-protection strategies, and triggers.

• Convenient scheduling at several locations.

• We also stock CortiBalm and can provide you with samples or recommend where to buy it, to pair with either home care or in-office treatment.

Contact Us Today

At Ballard Family Dentistry, we’re more than just teeth — we’re your partner in total oral-health comfort. Let’s help you smile and feel better again.