For patients with cold sores, which practice should be followed during coronal polishing?

Polishing carefully around the area without touching is crucial for patients with cold sores because it helps prevent irritation or potential worsening of the condition. Cold sores, caused by the herpes simplex virus, can be sensitive to touch and trauma. Therefore, avoiding direct contact with the affected area minimizes the risk of spreading the virus, causing additional pain, or triggering an outbreak.

Using a rough abrasive may seem tempting for results, but it could aggravate the sore and lead to complications. Skipping the polishing procedure entirely isn't necessary as other areas of the mouth can be polished, provided that caution is maintained near the affected area. Applying topical anesthesia, while it might reduce discomfort, does not address the risk of exacerbating the cold sore itself and is generally not a standard practice during routine coronal polishing.