My BEST Dentists Journal

All Journal Entries
Share

Four Possible Causes of Roof of Mouth Pain

Why is the Roof of my Mouth Sore?

If the roof of your mouth (palate) is sore, it can make eating and drinking uncomfortable and difficult. You may also have problems speaking normally.

Several things can cause a sore palate, including very hot coffee, infections, allergies, and injuries. In most cases, it's not a serious condition and typically goes away by itself. However, if the pain is severe or lasts more than a few days, contact a medical professional.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a sore palate vary depending on the cause. You might experience:

Pain

Burning or tingling sensation

Difficulty eating or drinking

Bad breath

Swelling

Redness

Visible sores

 

4 Possible Causes of Roof of Mouth Pain

Here are four potential causes of palate pain:

1. Burns

The roof of your mouth is a delicate and sensitive area that can burn easily. Eating or drinking something too hot can cause a burn.

Burn pain is usually immediate and can be severe. It typically goes away within 3 to 7 days without treatment and commonly heals by itself.1

Other Symptoms 

Pain

Blisters

Redness

Swelling

Peeling skin

Dry mouth

Treatment

Cool or frozen foods and drinks such as ice pops, ice cream, and yogurts may ease discomfort from a mouth burn. It’s wise to avoid crunchy, hot, or spicy foods until the burn heals.

Your dentist can also recommend mouth rinses that promote healing.               

2. Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers)

Canker sores are small, painful ulcers that can develop on the hard palate or anywhere on the soft tissues in the mouth. They’re usually white or yellow with a red border and can make eating and drinking uncomfortable. 

The lesions may resemble cold sores but don’t occur on the surface of lips and are not contagious.

Doctors are unsure why some people experience canker sores. It may be a combination of factors, including a vitamin B-12 deficiency, stress, hormonal shifts, infections, or minor injuries. Doctors also link them to immune system conditions.

Canker sores are rarely serious. However, more severe symptoms can still arise in some cases.2

Types 

There are three different types of canker sores:

Minor — most common type; usually small and oval-shaped with a red border. These may take 1 to 2 weeks to heal without scarring. 

Major — less common type; usually round with irregular, well-defined borders. These are extremely painful and may take up to 6 weeks to heal. They can also leave extensive scarring. 

Herpetiform — uncommon type; develop later in life but are not caused by the herpes virus infection. They are usually pinpoint in size and can occur in clusters of 10 to 100. However, they can merge into one large ulcer and may take 1 to 2 weeks to heal without scarring.  

Triggers

Some common causes of canker sores include:

A minor injury to the mouth from dental work or oral trauma

Toothpastes and mouth rinses containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

Food sensitivities, including chocolate, coffee, strawberries, eggs, nuts, cheese, and spicy or acidic foods

A diet lacking in vitamin B-12, zinc, folate (folic acid), and/or iron

An allergic response to specific bacteria in your mouth

Helicobacter pylori, the same bacteria that causes peptic ulcers

Hormonal shifts during menstruation and pregnancy

Mental stress

Canker sores may also occur because of certain conditions and diseases, such as:

Celiac disease — a serious intestinal disorder caused by a sensitivity to gluten

Inflammatory bowel diseases — such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis

Behcet's disease — a rare disorder that causes inflammation throughout the body

A compromised immune system — attacks healthy cells instead of pathogens

HIV/AIDS — which suppresses the immune system

Other Symptoms 

Shallow, round, or oval sores

Burning or tingling sensation

Fever

Swollen lymph nodes3

Treatment

Treatment may include:

Topical anesthetics to ease pain

Mouth rinses

Corticosteroid ointments

Antibiotics for recurrent canker sores

A doctor may recommend dietary changes or specific vitamins or supplements if nutritional deficiencies cause a canker sore.

3. Cold Sores (Fever Blisters)

The herpes simplex virus causes cold sores. If the roof of your mouth hurts and you can see blister patches, they could be cold sores. These mouth sores usually appear on the lips but can also develop on the hard palate.

Most people contract the virus as children, but the sores don’t always appear immediately. Instead, the virus can lie dormant for years until a trigger such as stress, illness, or a weakened immune system causes an outbreak.4

Triggers

Some common causes of fever blisters include:

Viral infection or fever

Hormonal changes, such as those related to menstruation

Stress

Fatigue

Exposure to sunlight and wind

Immune system changes

Skin injury

Certain conditions and diseases can also trigger cold sores, such as:

HIV/AIDS

Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

Cancer chemotherapy

Anti-rejection drugs for organ transplants

Signs and Symptoms

A cold sore usually passes through 3 stages:

Tingling, itching, and burning for a day or so before a small, hard, painful spot appears.

Small fluid-filled blisters typically erupt along the vermillion border of the lips. These blisters can also appear around the nose, cheeks or inside of the mouth.

The small blisters may merge and then burst, leaving a shallow, open sore.

Other Symptoms 

Ulcers in and around the mouth

Swollen lymph nodes

Soreness

Flu-like symptoms

Treatment

It’s impossible to cure the herpes simplex virus that causes mouth sores. Once someone has the virus, it stays in their body forever.

The cold sore blisters usually heal on their own within 14 days. During healing, drinking cool drinks and eating frozen foods like ice cream may ease discomfort.4

If you develop cold sores more than 9 times a year or are at high risk of serious complications, your doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication for you to take regularly. 

4. Oral Cancer

Although the causes of a sore palate are typically harmless, some, such as oral cancer, are more serious. Mouth cancer causes cells to divide without stopping and spread into surrounding tissues. It can develop on the tongue, gums, palate, or anywhere else in the mouth.

Identifying mouth cancer early is the key to successful treatment. Therefore, if your palate is still sore after 10 days, see your doctor or dentist for an evaluation.5

Symptoms

A sore that doesn’t heal

Pain that doesn’t go away

A lump or thickened tissue

White or red patches

Numbness

Swelling

Treatment

Treatment for oral cancer may depend on your overall health and the location and stage of cancer. Options include:

Surgery 

Radiation 

Chemotherapy 

Targeted therapy

Immunotherapy 

Palliative treatment

How Long Will the Roof of my Mouth Hurt?

Most causes of a sore palate are not serious and resolve within about 10 days. However, if the roof of your mouth still hurts after this time, make an appointment with your doctor.7

They can perform a physical assessment and take a medical history to help diagnose your condition. Then, they can recommend treatment or refer you to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for further evaluation.

 

How to Relieve Soreness

If the roof of your mouth is sore, you can do several things to ease discomfort:

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water 

Suck on ice cubes or ice pops

Take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen 

Apply a topical numbing agent like Orajel 

Avoid hot or spicy foods 

Eat soft foods such as ice cream, apple sauce, or mashed potatoes 

Avoid alcohol and tobacco products 

Applying coconut oil may also help. Research shows that this natural oil has antimicrobial abilities. As a result, it may prevent a bacterial infection. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce redness and pain.8

Your dentist or doctor may also prescribe:

Medicated mouthwashes

Antibiotics

Corticosteroids 

Topical anesthetics 

Protective coatings

 

Prevention Tips 

There are some things you can do to help prevent a sore roof of the mouth, including: 

Allowing food and drinks to cool slightly before consuming them to prevent burns

Avoiding spicy, acidic, or salty foods that can irritate the inside of your mouth

Quitting smoking and using tobacco products to reduce the risk of oral cancer

Practicing good oral hygiene with regular brushing and flossing to keep bacteria in check

Minimizing stress that can lead to cold sore outbreaks

When to See a Dentist

If you have a sore palate, certain signs signify it’s time to seek medical attention urgently. They include:

Fever

Skin blisters

Eye inflammation  

See your dentist if you notice any change in your mouth, as early diagnosis and treatment can increase your chances of a cure.

If you have a weakened immune system because of HIV or another reason, seek professional medical help if you develop any mouth sores.

Additionally, if you’re in considerable pain, generally feel unwell, or have trouble eating, see a doctor as soon as possible. Anyone with sores or other symptoms that last 10 days or more should see a doctor to ensure the sores are not cancerous or precancerous.

 

(03/20/2023)
by New Mouth

More Information: N

Views: 175
Share


My BEST Dentists Journal Headlines