Mouth Sores
Canker sores occur inside the mouth, and cold sores usually occur outside the mouth. A canker sore is a small ulcer with a white or gray base and red border. There can be one or more sores in the mouth. Canker sores are very common and often recur. They usually heal in a week or two. Rinsing with anti-microbial mouth rinses may help reduce the irritation. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can also provide relief.

A cold sore, also called fever blister or herpes simplex, is composed of groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters. They often erupt around the lips and sometimes under the nose or under the chin. Cold sores usually heal in about a week. Over-the-counter topical anesthetics can provide temporary relief and prescription antiviral drugs may reduce these kinds of viral infections.