Why Does the Roof of My Mouth Hurt? Common Causes and Treatment for Palate Pain

Reasons for Roof of Mouth Pain and How to Find Relief

Ever notice a strange soreness or pain on the roof of your mouth? There are various reasons you may be experiencing palate discomfort. While such sensations can stem from oral health issues, the culprit is often something more benign. Read on to learn about the common causes of roof of mouth pain and what you can do for relief.

Causes of a Sore Roof of Mouth

Some potential explanations for pain on the roof of your mouth include:

• Canker sores - These small ulcers can develop on the soft tissues of the mouth, including the palate. Canker sores are typically round or oval with red edges and whitish or yellow centers.
• Burns - Hot foods or beverages can scald the sensitive palate tissue, leading to pain and blistering.
• Oral thrush - A fungal infection that coats the mouth and tongue in white lesions. It may spread to the roof of the mouth as well.
• Hand, foot and mouth disease - Caused by a virus, this infection creates painful oral blisters and ulcers.
• Cold sores - The highly contagious herpes simplex virus triggers fever blisters on and around the lips that can extend into the mouth.

Additional causes of palate pain include smoking, denture irritation, mouth injuries, oral cancer, and autoimmune disorders. In some cases, the cause is unknown. Let's explore these reasons in greater detail.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are one of the most common sources of mouth pain. They produce small round or oval ulcers with white or yellow centers surrounded by a red halo. These shallow lesions tend to occur on the soft tissues of the mouth, including the insides of the lips and cheeks, underside of the tongue, and roof of the mouth.

Minor canker sores are typically 14 inch or less in size and heal within 1-2 weeks without scarring. While the exact cause is unknown, risk factors include:

• Stress
• Hormonal shifts
• Sodium lauryl sulfate in toothpaste
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Food sensitivities
• Spicy, acidic or coarse foods that irritate the soft tissues

For mild discomfort, over-the-counter topical anesthetics and antimicrobial rinses may provide temporary relief. Avoiding irritating foods during flare-ups can help them heal faster.

Burns

We've all done it - taken an eager first bite of steaming hot pizza or gulped down freshly brewed coffee, only to scald the roof of our mouth. The thin mucous membrane tissue of the palate is extremely sensitive to high temperatures.

Burning the roof of your mouth is often accidental, but the resulting pain can linger for a week or more. First-degree burns lead to redness and swelling. Second-degree burns create fluid-filled blisters. The damaged skin may peel away, exposing new pink tissue underneath.

To help burns heal, rinse with salt water or baking soda solution. Avoid spicy foods and hot beverages that could cause further irritation. Over-the-counter pain relievers can ease discomfort. Seek medical care if blistering is severe.

Oral Thrush

Oral thrush is a fungal infection typically caused by an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans in the mouth. It's most common in infants and older adults, but anyone can develop thrush.

In addition to redness and pain in the mouth, symptoms include:

• White lesions/coating on the tongue, inner cheeks and palate
• Cracked, red corners of the mouth
• Bleeding when scraping off the white patches
• Cottony sensation in the mouth
• Loss of taste

Oral thrush requires antifungal medication prescribed by a healthcare provider. Practice good oral hygiene and manage any underlying medical conditions that increase your risk, like diabetes or immune deficiency.

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

This highly contagious viral infection mainly affects infants and children under 5 years old. However, it can also develop in teens and adults. The viruses that cause hand, foot and mouth disease lead to sores and ulcers throughout the mouth as well as rashes on the hands and feet.

In addition to red, painful blisters on the roof of the mouth, signs include:

• Spots or bumps inside the cheeks and on the gums, tongue and lips
• Sore throat
• Fever
• Reduced appetite
• Irritability
• Rash with blisters on palms, fingers, soles and toes

There is no specific treatment for hand, foot and mouth disease. Frequent hand washing helps prevent spread. Avoiding hard, crunchy foods may alleviate oral discomfort until it resolves on its own.

Cold Sores

Cold sores are contagious blisters around the lips and mouth triggered by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Once infected, the virus lies dormant in nerve cells and can reactivate, often during times of stress or illness.

Before cold sores appear, prodromal symptoms may include burning, itching or tingling near the lips. Multiple small blisters then form, eventually bursting to leave shallow ulcers that crust over and scab. Cold sores typically heal within 2-3 weeks.

While cold sores initially form on the lips or around the mouth, they can sometimes spread into the mouth and occur on the gums, tongue, and roof of the mouth. Antiviral medications when taken at the first signs of an outbreak can shorten duration.

Other Causes

Less common causes for a sore roof of mouth include:

• Smoking - Pipe, cigar and cigarette smoking can burn and irritate the palate. Smokeless tobacco placed against the roof of the mouth also leads to lesions.
• Dentures - Poor fitting dentures that rub against the palate create sores and irritation.
• Mouth injuries - Accidentally biting the inside of your cheek or palate can damage the tissue, resulting in pain.
• Oral cancer - Roof of mouth pain accompanied by loose teeth, ear pain or numbness may indicate cancer.
• Mucocele - These harmless cysts on the inner lips or floor of mouth can sometimes occur on the palate.
• Autoimmune disorders - Conditions like lichen planus that affect mucous membranes can cause lesions on the roof of mouth.

Prolonged palate pain without an obvious cause warrants medical evaluation to identify any underlying conditions requiring treatment.

Diagnosing the Cause of Roof of Mouth Pain

To get to the root cause of your mouth discomfort, make an appointment with your dentist or doctor. Bring up any palate pain when describing your symptoms.

During the exam, your dentist will closely inspect the roof of your mouth under bright lighting. They may gently touch the area to check for lesions, swelling, color changes or anything unusual. Based on your symptoms and exam findings, your dentist can determine if referral to an oral medicine specialist is needed.

You may undergo additional testing to help diagnose the cause, such as:

• Oral swab - A culture is taken from the lesion to check for fungal, viral or bacterial infections.
• Blood tests - Bloodwork can reveal nutritional deficiencies, immune disorders, and other underlying conditions.
• Biopsy - Removing a small sample of tissue for microscopic analysis can confirm conditions like oral cancer.
• Patch test - Placing allergens against your skin reveals any hypersensitivity or allergic reactions.

Once the underlying reason is identified, appropriate treatment can begin to alleviate your sore roof of mouth.

How to Treat Pain on the Roof of Your Mouth

Treatment options for palate pain depend on the cause but may include:

• Medications - Antifungals for thrush, antivirals for cold sores, antibiotics for bacterial infections.
• Oral rinses - Salt water or medicated mouthwashes to keep lesions clean.
• Oral anesthetics - OTC numbing gels and rinses alleviate discomfort from canker sores or burns.
• Dietary changes - Avoiding acidic, salty, spicy or coarse foods that irritate the palate.
• Supplements - Iron, folate, vitamin B12, or zinc supplements if deficiencies are contributing.
• Surgery - Biopsy or lesion removal may be necessary to treat suspicious changes.

Implementing good oral hygiene practices can help prevent many problems occurring on the roof of the mouth in the first place. Be sure to:

• Brush teeth twice daily and gently brush palate and tongue.
• Floss daily to remove food debris.
• Use alcohol-free mouthwash to rinse away bacteria.
• Drink plenty of water to keep the mouth moisturized.
• Avoid smoking and tobacco products that irritate the palate.
• Get dental cleanings every 6 months.

Home Remedies for Roof of Mouth Pain

Several home remedies may temporarily numb, soothe or reduce palate discomfort:

• Orajel - Apply a small amount of this OTC numbing gel directly to the sore spot for fast relief.
• Ice chips - Sucking on small ice chips gently cools inflammation in the mouth.
• Tea bags - Soak a black tea bag in water, squeeze out excess liquid, and hold against the palate to reduce pain.
• Aloe vera - The cooling gel from an aloe leaf can be applied to lesions several times a day.
• Baking soda paste - Mix water into baking soda to form a paste and gently dab on mouth sores.

Avoid any home remedies that could unintentionally burn or further irritate your sore palate, like alcoholic beverages or spices. See your dentist promptly if discomfort persists longer than 1-2 weeks.

When to See a Doctor

Schedule an urgent dental appointment if you experience:

• Severe palate pain that worsens or fails to improve with typical treatment
• Prolonged pain lasting longer than 2 weeks
• Difficulty eating, drinking or swallowing
• Roof of mouth lesions that quickly enlarge, bleed excessively or don't heal
• Persistent sore throat and bad breath along with palate pain
• Numbness or loss of sensation in mouth
• Unexplained weight loss

Prompt evaluation is crucial whenever mouth pain is accompanied by other worrisome symptoms. Let your dentist assess any lingering roof of mouth discomfort to determine next steps.

Preventing Future Discomfort

While a sore palate often resolves on its own, you can take proactive steps to avoid future episodes:

• Rinse mouth after eating - Swish water after meals to dislodge food and debris.
• Brush gently - Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and avoid aggressive scrubbing of the palate.
• Wear mouthguard - Use a guard during contact sports to protect your palate from injury.
• Manage health conditions - Control diabetes and nutrient deficiencies that increase risk.
• Limit irritants - Curb tobacco, alcohol, hot, spicy or acidic foods and beverages.

Pay attention to any mouth discomfort and tell your dentist about symptoms involving the roof of your mouth. Timely evaluation and treatment will help resolve the issue and prevent lasting complications.

The Bottom Line

Noticing a sore, painful or burning sensation on the roof of your mouth is fairly common. Canker sores, burns, infections and irritation often cause these temporary mouth problems. While discomfort may linger for a week or more, home remedies can provide relief as it heals.

Make an appointment with your dentist if palate pain arises often, doesn't improve within 2 weeks, or occurs with other worrisome symptoms. Identifying and properly treating the underlying cause, whether dental or medical, is key to preventing recurring issues involving the roof of your mouth.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.