A 40-year-old member asked:
how do i know if i have gum disease or some viral sores or canker sore flare-up?
7 doctor answers • 13 doctors weighed in

Dr. Charles Cattano answered
Gastroenterology 39 years experience
Need exam please: Get examined please. Canker sores are common aphthous ulcers of mouth that occur situationally, often in response to stressors, are bacterial or viral, & can be treated topically with many otc products that reduce local discomfort & potentially speed healing. However, oral/dental problems & a number of systemic diseases cause canker sore-like lesions--crohn's, behcet's, std (sexually transmitted).
5852 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Gary Lederman commented
Dentistry 40 years experience
I would add that painless laser treatments can relieve the pain from oral ulcers immediately , another reason to see a dentist! I agree that the most important thing to do is get a proper diagnosis.
Jul 22, 2012

Dr. Scott Harwood answered
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 45 years experience
Time: The best way is to see your dentist and have it evaluated properly.
In general, however, a cold sore will resolve in 7-10 days whereas gum disease is not going to resolve on its own.
5688 viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Ragan Faler answered
Dentistry 24 years experience
Pain and location : Generally gum disease is not painful. Canker sores are ulcers that most commonly appear on the loose tissues on the inside of the lips, tongue, and back of the throat. Cold sores are viral "ulcer-like" blistering lesions that are painful, and will occur on the outside of the lip, inside of nose, roof of mouth and sometimes the hard gum (keratinized gingiva) on the inside of the mouth.
5606 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Nancy Appelblatt answered
ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 44 years experience
Could be either, but: Gum disease is usually around your teeth, with retraction pockets, and normally your dentist or hygenist would mention it. Also is not normally as painful. Canker sore lesions are ulcers , and can be biopsied, or scraped with a special test done, but hurt like heck.See above for why and quick tx.
5506 viewsReviewed Apr 15, 2019

Dr. Jeffrey Bassman answered
Dentistry 45 years experience
See a dentist: You need to have an examination to check you gums, bone support around the teeth and the teeth. If there is a question, sometimes a biopsy or culture will be run.
5494 viewsAnswered >2 years ago

Dr. Gary Sandler answered
Dentistry 54 years experience
See DDS\DMD: They all have different clinical signs, symptoms and appearances. It's easy for your dentist to determine what you have, so please schedule a visit to find out what you have and what needs to be done if anything. Self diagnosis, even with extensive internet research and guidance is never a good idea.
5430 viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Duane Keller answered
Dentistry 45 years experience
?Bleeding gums?: If your gums bleed when you brush or floss you probably have gum disease. Check with you dentist and see what they recommend. We use the perio protect method and it gets wonderful results.
5350 viewsAnswered >2 years ago
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Last updated Apr 15, 2019
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