If you have a cold sore before a dental appointment, it’s generally recommended to reschedule your dental visit if you have an active cold sore. This approach helps protect both your health and the dental office environment.
Reasons to Reschedule Your Appointment
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is highly contagious. The virus can spread through direct contact with infected lesions, saliva, or even airborne droplets generated during dental procedures. Dental procedures often involve close contact with the oral cavity and can produce aerosols from tools like ultrasonic scalers and dental drills, which can carry viral particles. This increases the risk of transmitting the virus to dental staff, who may develop painful infections like herpetic whitlow on their fingers or ocular herpes, a severe eye infection that can lead to vision impairment.
Beyond the risk to others, proceeding with an appointment while you have an active cold sore can also negatively affect your own health. The manipulation and stretching of the mouth during dental work can cause discomfort and pain around the cold sore. There is also a risk of the cold sore rupturing, which can delay healing and potentially lead to secondary bacterial infections. This kind of trauma can also trigger new outbreaks or worsen existing ones.
Steps to Take When You Have a Cold Sore
If you notice a cold sore developing before a dental appointment, contact your dental office immediately. Inform them about your cold sore so they can advise on rescheduling. Most dental practices will likely recommend postponing non-emergency treatment until the lesion has healed.
While awaiting your rescheduled appointment, you can manage the cold sore with over-the-counter antiviral creams. These can help reduce pain and blistering and speed up healing. Applying these creams early, ideally when you first feel a tingling sensation, can be most effective. In some cases, a doctor might prescribe oral antiviral medications, especially for frequent outbreaks. It is also important to avoid touching the cold sore to prevent spreading the virus to other parts of your body or to other people.
When It Is Safe to See the Dentist
It is safe to proceed with a dental appointment once the cold sore is completely healed. This means the lesion should be fully scabbed over, dry, and no longer oozing. The cold sore should be completely gone, and the skin should have returned to its normal appearance. At this stage, the risk of transmitting the virus is significantly reduced.
Cold sores heal within one to two weeks, though some may take up to four weeks depending on their severity. If you require emergency dental care, such as for severe pain or trauma, it is still advisable to contact your dentist first. In such urgent situations, the dental team may implement specific precautions to minimize the risk of cross-infection during necessary treatment.