What To Do When Skin Inside Your Mouth Starts Peeling Off

What To Do When The Roof Of Your Mouth Starts Peeling

Having the skin peel off the roof of your mouth can be annoying, painful, and concerning. But in most cases, it's harmless and there are some simple home remedies you can try to find relief.

Common Causes

A few common culprits lead to skin sloughing off inside the mouth:

• Eating hot foods straight from the oven or microwave
• Consuming acidic foods and drinks
• Canker sores
• Brush burns from aggressive brushing
• Oral yeast infections like thrush
• Dry mouth
• Vitamin deficiencies

When To See Your Dentist

While mouth skin peeling is typically harmless, it's a good idea to make an appointment with your dentist or doctor if:

• The skin peeling doesn't seem to heal within two weeks
• It is accompanied by pain, bleeding, or bad breath
• You have symptoms like fever, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss

This could indicate an underlying medical issue may be causing the peeling.

10 Tips To Help Soothe and Heal Peeling in Mouth

Here are the top 10 home remedies to try for mouth skin that's starting to slough off, especially on the roof of your mouth.

1. Avoid Hot, Spicy, and Acidic Foods and Drinks

Stay away from foods and beverages that may further irritate or burn delicate peeling skin when possible. This includes:

• Hot coffee, tea, and other hot beverages
• Spicy salsa, hot sauce, chili peppers
• Citrus fruits, juices, and acidic drinks like colas
• Salty chips, pretzels, and other crispy snacks
• Crunchy breads and toast

2. Soothe With Cold Foods and Drinks

Opt for chilled foods and liquids to relieve discomfort. Try things like:

• Popsicles
• Ice water
• Yogurt
• Applesauce
• Cottage cheese
• Cold pureed soups

3. Choose Softer Foods

Stick with lukewarm, smooth foods that won't further aggravate the peeling roof of mouth. Good options include:

• Over-ripe bananas, melon, apples, or steamed vegetables
• Mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes
• Smoothies
• Oatmeal or cream of wheat
• Broth-based soups
• Eggs
• Pudding, jello, ice cream

4. Drink Plenty of Water

Staying hydrated keeps your mouth from drying out, allowing skin to heal. Aim for around eight 8-oz glasses of water daily. Add moisture-rich fruits and vegetables to your diet as well.

5. Gently Brush and Floss

Brush gently if possible using a soft bristle toothbrush and non-irritating fluoride toothpaste until healed. Take care to avoid brushing the tender spot to allow it to mend.

You can skip flossing while it heals or use a gentle flosser to avoid reopening any wounds on the peeling spots.

6. Salt Water Rinses

Gargling a few times a day with warm salt water helps cleanse wounds while relieving pain. Mix 12 teaspoon salt in one cup warm water, swish for 30 seconds, then spit out.

7. OTC Oral Anesthetics

Drugstore gels and rinses with lidocaine or benzocaine can provide short term numbness and pain relief for mouth discomfort. But don't use for more than a few days without consulting your dentist.

8. Try Healing Lip Balms Like OraMoist

Look for lip moisturizers designed specifically to heal mouth sores without irritating ingredients. Apply a thin coat on the roof of mouth a few times a day to provide soothing relief.

OraMoist is one over-the-counter option containing hydrogen peroxide along with aloe vera and DMSO to encourage cell turnover and healing.

9. Ask Your Dentist About Prescription Treatments

For severe or persistent cases of mouth peeling, your dentist or doctor may be able to provide special rinses, gels, or other treatments aimed at reducing discomfort and speeding up recovery time.

10. Correct Any Nutrient Deficiencies

Lacking key vitamins and minerals in your diet can impair healing and cause excess skin shedding oral issues. Getting enough vitamin B12, folate, iron, and zinc is especially important.

Ask your doctor to run bloodwork to check for any deficiencies, then modify your diet or take supplements on their recommendation to support healing.

When to Worry About Roof of Mouth Peeling

Shedding some skin on the roof of your mouth now and then usually isn't cause for concern. But if you experience any of the following, seek prompt medical care:

• Open sores lasting more than two weeks
• Severe pain preventing you from eating and drinking
• Fever, fatigue, night sweats
• Numbness or loss of taste
• Unexplained weight loss
• Skin, nail, or hair changes elsewhere on your body

These could be signs of an underlying condition requiring targeted treatment beyond basic home care for peeling skin.

When to See Your Dentist

You should make an appointment with your dentist promptly if:

• The roof of mouth peeling doesn't start to improve within 2 weeks using OTC remedies
• You experience bleeding gums or bad breath along with the peeling mouth skin
• Discomfort prevents you from brushing adequately

Your dentist can rule out issues like oral thrush or vitamin deficiencies and provide professional treatments to encourage faster healing.

Preventing Future Occurrences of Mouth Skin Peeling

Once you get the current roof of mouth peeling episode under control, you can take proactive steps to avoid repeat occurrences in the future:

• Eat a balanced diet rich in healing vitamins/minerals
• Avoid irritating foods and consume them only once mouth has healed
• Brush gently with a soft brush and sensitive formula toothpaste
• Have regular dental exams to catch issues like infections early
• Quit smoking and manage health conditions contributing to dry mouth

Pay attention to any underlying triggers that seemed to cause the peeling, then take steps to avoid those coughing it up again later on down the road.

When to Visit Your Doctor

See your physician promptly if mouth discomfort is severe or accompanied by worrisome symptoms like trouble swallowing, weight loss, or rash. This could indicate complex conditions beyond straightforward irritation need diagnosis and management.

With proactive home care and paying attention to your symptoms, you can bounce back from annoying mouth skin peeling quickly!

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.