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Sore Throat - Should I be Worried About a Sore Throat?

People get sore throats all the time. But when is a sore throat a symptom of something that should be examined by a doctor or a dentist?

Oral Herpes

The Herpes Simplex-1 virus causes oral herpes . This virus is extremely common and many people carry it without even knowing it.

An outbreak of oral herpes can be cause for concern, simply because there is no cure for it and it is a painful experience. However, oral herpes is not life threatening except to infants and people with compromised immune system illnesses, such as HIV .

Symptoms of oral herpes include sore throat, blisters around or inside the mouth and throat, fever, fatigue and muscle aches. Incubation time after initial exposure is generally 2-14 days and outbreaks last for approximately two weeks.

During an outbreak, a dentist can swab the outbreak site and make a diagnosis. Treatment can include use of a dental laser to reduce pain and the length of the outbreak. Because oral herpes is extremely infectious during an outbreak, contact should be avoided with personal items used by the infected person, including towels, food or eating implements. Also, avoid contact with the outbreak site.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can be a significant concern, particularly if a sore throat does not go away within a few days and is persistent for several weeks. Risk factors for oral cancer include a family history of oral cancer, use of tobacco or alcohol or sun exposure.

Symptoms of oral cancer include sore throat, hoarseness, lumps in or around the throat, neck, mouth or lips, red or white bumps in the mouth or around the lips, and unexplained bleeding in the mouth.

Removing any tumors often treats oral cancer. This can be done with the use of a dental laser . Treatment may also include chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

Reconstruction or rehabilitation from oral cancer can include the services of a cosmetic dentist. Many people choose to have dental implants or veneers placed to correct their smile. Additional cosmetic treatments may include teeth whitening treatments to address changes in tooth color that can result from radiation treatments.

Routine Dental Care

Often, patients experience a sore throat after a routine dental exam or after receiving care from a dental hygienist or after visiting the orthodontist. During a dental exam, the mouth is open for long periods of time and the moist tissues of the mouth may become dry, resulting in a sore throat. While this should not be an immediate cause for concern, if the sore throat continues for longer than a few days, a follow-up phone call to the dentist should be made.

Regular visits to the dentist can also be the occasion for a dentist to diagnose ear infections or chronic sinus problems that may result in a sore throat.

Summary

There are certainly times when a sore throat is a symptom of something more serious than mild allergies. If a sore throat persists for longer than a few days, it is worthwhile to consult a doctor or dentist to determine whether something more serious is happening. Possible causes of a sore throat include a recent routine dental care , an ear or sinus infection, oral herpes or oral cancer.