If the roof of your mouth hurts, it can be very uncomfortable. This can potentially interfere with daily activities such as eating, drinking, or putting in a retainer. This post will discuss some of the reasons that the roof of your mouth can hurt, and how to treat them.
The roof of your mouth is called the palate, and it has two sections. The part that is closer to your front teeth is the hard palate. This extends into the rear of the mouth as the soft palate. However, the difference between the hard and soft palate is that the soft palate is only composed of soft tissue. On the other hand, the hard palate is a combination of the palatine bones, covered with a layer of soft tissue.
Why The Roof of Your Mouth Hurts
The most common reason that the roof of your mouth can hurt is the presence of a burn. The layer of soft tissue in that area is particularly thin and sensitive. Therefore, hot foods or beverages can easily burn it.
You can also injure the roof of your mouth by eating foods or inserting objects that can scratch or pierce it. This is possible, for example, by eating hard sweets or tortilla chips.
The roof of the mouth is also susceptible to developing canker sores, which may appear oval with a whitish center. While they may occur for a variety of causes and can usually heal on their own without any treatment, sores can sometimes are a result of the herpes simplex virus or HIV.
As with any soft tissue damage, the area can quickly experience swelling and may become painful to touch. There may also be inflammation, which can exacerbate the pain. Sometimes, if a canker sore is large enough, it can be extremely painful.
How To Treat Pain In The Roof Of Your Mouth
Fortunately, the vast majority of canker sores and burns to the roof of your mouth will heal spontaneously. It doesn’t need any particular treatment for this, but you may benefit from lowering the sensation of pain while it heals. As large sores or severe burns can take a few weeks to heal, lowering discomfort during speech or eating is essential.
Over-the-counter pain-relieving mouthwashes or ointments are available for use. You can also ask your dentist to prescribe a medicated rinse, ointment, or toothpaste that can relieve or numb the sensation of pain.
Remember to give the tissues ample time to heal, and avoid foods that can further irritate it. These include alcoholic, acidic, or carbonated beverages and extremely hot or hard, crunchy foods. Swelling and inflammation will gradually go down as the tissue recovers from injury.
Conclusion
If your pain does not subside within a few weeks, it’s best to contact a qualified oral health professional. They will be able to examine and diagnose the issue. They can then advise you on the best way to make sure the roof of your mouth no longer hurts.
Lonestar Dental Center is your complete oral healthcare destination for various dental procedures and comprehensive exams. We provide excellent service from the very beginning of your time with us in Humble, TX. If you’d like to schedule an appointment or have any questions, feel free to give us a call at (281) 233-0333.