Ulcers in the mouth caused by the Herpes virus look similar to apthous ulcers but are found on the attached tissue, that is, the hard palate (roof of the mouth) and attached gum (the gum that sits right below the teeth and is not movable.)  The primary case of Herpes in the mouth usually occurs in children and when they have it they are sick and miserable and have multiple ulcers.  Later in life will come the secondary occurrences, in which people get one or a few here or there.  The virus lives dormant in the spinal cord.  When activated, it travels along the cranial nerve to the skin where it creates the ulcer.

Cold Sores are also caused by the Herpes virus but they occur on the lip and surrounding skin.  These Herpes problems need not be tolerated today as there are prescription antiviral medications (your dentist or physician can prescribe) that can afford relief.  There is an antiviral ointment (e.g., Zovirax / Acyclovir or Denavir) that can be applied at the first tingle of a cold sore so it does not bloom into an unsightly and uncomfortable mess. Call your physician or dentist if you get these frequently and keep the drugs on hand.  This drug can be used in oral / pill form in severe cases.  If you are looking for something that really works for your cold sore,  these antiviral drugs are the answer.

Many physicians and dentists confuse Herpes and non-Herpes lesions.  Look closely to see where the lesion is.  Sometimes an ulcer in the mouth on the inside of the lip looks like it is on the outside of the lip.  In other words, it looks like a cold sore but it is really a recurrent apthous ulcer.  Antiviral medication will not work. Dexamethasone will. If you are treated for herpes and not getting better, ask your doc to consider the possibility that you have a non-viral ulcer.

Similarly, if you do have a Herpes lesion, you do need antivirals. 

Note: Herpes in the mouth is usually caused by a different variety of Herpes virus than the variety that causes genital Herpes.  A substantial portion of the population carries the oral Herpes virus.

(It would be remiss to not mention Oral Cancer in a discussion of mouth sores, even though it is certainly a lot less common than Herpetic or apthous ulcers, especially in children. If an ulcer does not heal within a couple weeks have a dentist or oral surgeon evaluate to be sure.  Another possibility, if the ulcer is near a tooth root, is a dental abscess that is draining.)


 
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Please remember that dental information written by me on these sites is not all-inclusive and it may or may not apply to your situation and you need to call your own dentist.  A dentist needs to see the tooth, take and x-ray, etc. to diagnose and treat.   I cannot respond to email inquiries or phone calls.  Thanks for visiting!