Does the roof of your mouth hurt, and you are unsure about its causes? There are various reasons why your palate becomes sore. While most of these causes are harmless, some conditions can be extremely serious. Read along to find out 5 reasons why the roof of your mouth hurts.
WHY IS THE ROOF OF MY MOUTH SORE?
If your palate hurts or is swollen, you may have one of these conditions:
1. Burns
The roof of your mouth is a sensitive area that can be easily burnt. Painful bumps on your mouth’s roof are sometimes just an injury or a burn caused by eating hot or spicy foods. This condition is called “pizza palate” because hot slices of pizza are a common reason to burn the roof of your mouth. Likewise, hot drinks can also cause this discomfort. A burned palate usually doesn’t require any treatment and can heal by itself within 3 to 7 days. However, you should see your Houston dentist for a checkup if the area is still sore after a week. Your palate may have developed fluid during the healing process. Your dentist may recommend mouth rinses or prescribed rinses to ease discomfort while your mouth heals.
2. Canker Sores
Canker sores can be another reason why your palate hurts. You can experience these sores at any time on your mouth’s roof. They look like white, yellow, or red marks and don’t usually require any treatment. You can expect them to go away within 5 to 10 days. Home remedies for canker sores are: rinsing with baking soda or saltwater, eating yogurt or honey, using over-the-counter medications, etc.
3. Cold Sores
Do you experience an itching or tingling sensation on your palate? If the roof of your mouth hurts and you notice patches of blisters, it might be due to cold sores. These sores are blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus. These blisters are contagious, but they heal on their own within 7 to 10 days. In most cases, fluid-filled patches appear on the lips. However, these blisters can also develop on the roof of your mouth.
4. Oral Cancer
As said earlier, most mouth sores are harmless, but some might be extremely severe. According to the American Dental Association, there are two categories of oral cancer:
- cancer that occurs in and around the mouth
- cancer that occurs in the oropharynx or throat area
If a sore on the roof of your mouth hasn’t healed within 2 weeks, you should see your dentist for an evaluation. Early diagnosis is the key here as oral cancer is most treatable when identified early. Therefore, it’s crucial to bring suspicious mouth sores to your dentist’s attention at your earliest.
5. Torus Palatinus
Torus Palatinus is a harmless bony growth located on the roof of your mouth. Some people have it either from birth or may appear later in life. Their sizes can vary from small to large. In most cases, they’re harmless and often painless. You may not even need any treatment at all. Its symptoms include a smooth or lumpy bump in the middle of the hard palate.
Other Possible Causes of Mouth Sores on the Palate
The roof of your mouth can also hurt because of the following underlying health conditions:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Celiac Disease
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Lupus
- Behcet’s Disease
Visit The Dentist!
You don’t need to worry about mouth sores for the first few days as they usually heal independently. However, if the roof of your mouth is still swollen after 2 weeks, you should visit Pearl Dentistry. Our dentists will evaluate your oral condition and may suggest ways to ease the discomfort. Call us today at 713-766-4389 to schedule an appointment.
