Can Laser Therapy Help Canker Sores and Cold Sores Heal Faster?
A small sore inside your cheek or on your lip can make eating, talking, and brushing miserable for days. Laser therapy for mouth sores is one option that may ease the sting and shorten the wait.
Our dentists in Greater Grand Rapids, MI use a soft tissue laser for canker sores, cold sores, and several other gum and tissue concerns.
Here's what you need to know about laser therapy for mouth sores.
Canker Sores and Cold Sores Are Not the Same Thing
A canker sore is an open ulcer inside the mouth, usually with a white or yellow center and a red border. as painful but not cancerous.
A cold sore is a blister on or around the lips caused by the herpes simplex virus. That is why cold sores spread from person to person, while canker sores come from triggers like stress, minor injuries, or low vitamin levels.
How Long a Sore Usually Lasts
Most canker sores stop hurting within 7 to 10 days and heal completely in one to three weeks. Larger ulcers take longer.
by itself in one to two weeks, though symptoms can last up to three. That is a long stretch to put up with a sore that flares every time you eat.
What the Laser Actually Does
A soft tissue laser delivers focused light energy to the sore. No cutting is involved, and the light works on the surface tissue only.
According to the 44 West laser therapy page, the goal is reducing pain and speeding up healing for certain mouth sores. The same page lists antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects among the benefits of treatment.
What the Research Shows
The evidence is encouraging but not final. A 2024 found that low-level laser therapy reduced pain and healing time for recurring canker sores.
The authors also rated parts of that evidence as low certainty and called for larger, better designed trials. In other words, the laser is a reasonable comfort option, not a guaranteed cure.
When a Sore Is Worth a Visit
Many sores heal on their own, so a visit is not always needed. Call a dentist or doctor if a sore has not improved after two weeks of home care, or if it keeps getting worse.
Frequent sores are worth a visit too, especially more than two or three a year. Sores that come with a fever, rash, or headache also call for a prompt check.
Mouth Sores and Your Overall Oral Health
A sore that keeps returning in the same spot can sometimes point to rubbing from a broken tooth or an appliance. Your dentist can look for those causes during the same visit.
Healthy gums also heal better, which is one more reason to keep up with routine cleanings and wellness. If your gums bleed or feel tender, read what to do after a gum disease diagnosis or how gum health affects your body.
The laser is one of several additional dental services offered at 44 West.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does laser treatment on a mouth sore hurt?
Most patients find it comfortable, and pain relief is one of the main reasons it is used. 44 West names less pain both during and after the visit as a benefit of the soft tissue laser over a scalpel.
Treatment is aimed at calming a sore that already hurts, so many people notice the sting easing rather than getting worse. Ask your dentist what to expect for your specific sore.
What can I do at home while a canker sore heals?
Skip hot and spicy foods, rinse with salt water or an alcohol-free mouthwash, and use an over-the-counter pain reliever if needed. Keep brushing twice a day and flossing daily, gently, around the sore.
MedlinePlus also mentions numbing mouth rinses for short-term relief. If the sore is not improving after two weeks of home care, it is time to have it checked.
When is a cold sore most contagious?
A cold sore spreads most easily while the sore is active and open. The virus can pass through kissing or by sharing items like towels, razors, and dishes, so avoid both until the sore has healed.
MedlinePlus notes that the virus can also spread when no sore is visible. Washing your hands after touching the area lowers the chance of passing it to someone else.
What else does 44 West use the soft tissue laser for?
The same laser has several other uses beyond mouth sores. 44 West lists reshaping overgrown or irregular gums, treating certain oral infections, and removing benign soft tissue lesions.
It is also used to help return gums to proper form when restoring a tooth or implant. Your dentist will let you know if laser therapy fits your situation during an exam.
Where can I get laser therapy for a mouth sore near me?
44 West Dental Professionals has two offices: Grandville at 4330 44th St SW and Cascade at 5010 Cascade Rd. Call the Grandville office at (616) 530-2200 to ask about laser therapy and schedule a visit.
The Cascade office can be reached at (616) 942-0840. Let the team know you have a sore when you call so they can plan your appointment.
Schedule a Visit for a Stubborn Sore
A mouth sore that lingers or keeps coming back deserves a closer look, and laser therapy for mouth sores may help it settle down sooner.
Call our Grandville office at (616) 530-2200 or our Cascade office at (616) 942-0840, or request an appointment online. A quick exam with our dentists in Greater Grand Rapids, MI can tell you whether the laser is a good fit.