The Difference Between Cold Sores & Canker Sores

Different Location

Canker sores rarely appear outside of the mouth and usually show up at the base of the gumline, under the tongue, on the inside of the lip or cheek, or on the soft tissue palate. Canker sores do not appear on the hard palate or the gum gingival gum tissue.

Cold sores usually appear in a different location not too far away from the mouth. Most cold sores show up on or near the lips, but they can sometimes appear on or inside the nose or on the face. It's also possible for a cold sore to show up inside the mouth, although this isn't common.

Keep going to learn about which one is contagious next.