It’s not something we often think about — until it starts to hurt. The tender spot on the roof of your mouth can quickly become the center of your attention, especially when you don’t know what’s causing your pain. If the roof of your mouth is feeling sore or painful, keep reading to learn common reasons for a painful palate, practical tips to help you find relief and guidance on when it might be time to seek help.
7 Potential Causes of Mouth Pain and How to Treat Them
In most cases, swelling or discomfort on the roof of your mouth isn’t a cause for major concern and will typically resolve itself within a few days to a week. However, even if you’re only dealing with a minor scrape or sore, it’s important to know what could potentially be causing your pain.
- Canker sores
Canker sores are small, shallow ulcers that can form on the inside of your lips, under your tongue, on your cheeks or the roof of your mouth. There are many potential causes of a canker sore, including:
- Autoimmune disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, lupus or Behcet disease
- Certain foods, like sour candy or spicy foods
- Dental work
- Food sensitivities
- Hormonal changes
- Minor mouth injuries
- Stress
- Vitamin deficiencies
Most canker sores resolve on their own within a week or so, but to help speed up the healing process, we recommend drinking plenty of water, avoiding spicy or acidic foods and rinsing your mouth with salt water daily. If you experience persistent canker sores that cause discomfort, a visit with your dentist or primary care provider is a good first step to finding answers and relief.
- Cold sores
Although they’re most commonly found on a person’s lips or around their mouth, cold sores (also called fever blisters) can sometimes appear on the roof of the mouth, too. Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), and they are contagious. They can be triggered by factors such as:
- A weakened immune system
- Cold and flu
- Exposure to sunlight
- Fatigue
- Food allergies
- Stress
When it comes to cold sores, early treatment is key. To help prevent them from spreading, make sure to stay hydrated, practice good hygiene and treat the sores with cold compresses, a saltwater rinse and topical or oral antiviral medications.
- Burns
We’ve all been there before — taking that first sip of piping hot coffee or bite of pizza, only to realize it’s way too hot and you’ve unintentionally scalded the roof of your mouth. That sudden burn might seem minor, but the pain can linger longer than expected. The soft tissue in your mouth is delicate and sensitive to high heat, so burning it can easily cause inflammation or even blistering. The best course of treatment for healing a mouth burn is staying hydrated and avoiding spicy or acidic foods (like hot sauce or grapefruit) until the inflammation settles down.
- Cuts
If you’ve ever bitten down on a sharp tortilla chip or a crunchy baguette and scraped the roof of your mouth, you know how frustrating these small but painful cuts can be.
While most of these types of cuts are minor and heal quickly, they can still make eating and drinking uncomfortable for a short time. While you’re healing, avoid eating additional sharp foods or acidic or spicy foods and drinks. Instead, stick to cool, soft foods to help speed up your recovery. Rinsing with warm saltwater can also help close minor cuts quickly and help you find relief.
- Fibroma
If you feel a lump on the roof of your mouth, it might be due to an oral fibroma, a common noncancerous lump made of fibrous tissue that typically develops after chronic irritation or trauma (like frequent canker sores, friction from retainers or mouthguards or following an inflammatory disease flare). These tissue-colored bumps are typically slow-growing, harmless and painless, though you may experience some irritation or annoyance simply because it’s a new feeling in your mouth. These growths are permanent, and experts will often recommend just leaving them alone. However, if yours is particularly bothering you, consider speaking with an oral surgeon to see if removing it can help you find relief.
- Dental issues
Oral hygiene plays a big role in your health, and neglecting your oral health can most definitely lead to mouth pain. For example, oral thrush and dental abscesses can cause discomfort throughout your mouth, with pain radiating to the roof of your mouth. Additionally, ill-fitting dentures, braces or retainers are another common cause of irritation of the roof of the mouth.
And finally, though people with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders primarily experience pain in their jaw, face and ears, it’s possible for the nerve pain and muscle tension to spread to the roof of a person’s mouth.
If you’re concerned that your sore palate may be due to dental issues, schedule a dental appointment right away, as leaving these conditions untreated can result in further health complications.
- Underlying medical conditions
If none of the other potential causes seem like the source of your mouth pain, it’s possible you may be experiencing mouth pain due to:
- Acid reflux
- Autoimmune disease
- Burning mouth disorder
- Certain medications
- Nerve disorder
- Oral cancer
- Sinus infection
- Tonsilitis
- Warts
If you’re unsure what’s causing you pain, the best first step is to talk with your doctor.
When to Seek Help
While most causes of a painful palate aren’t a reason to immediately worry, these are some signs it may be time to seek medical help:
- Over-the-counter pain medications, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, don’t provide temporary relief
- Pain lasts for longer than a week without showing signs of improvement
- You show signs of infection (like swelling, pus or a fever)
- Your palate is becoming increasingly painful
If your symptoms aren’t improving or begin to worsen, it’s important to see a doctor or dentist — early care can make all the difference.
Expert Care When You Need It
Whether the pain on the roof of your mouth is caused by a sharp snack, a lingering sore or something more complex, our team is here to help you find relief when you need it. If you’re experiencing persistent oral pain or discomfort, our urgent care experts at AdventHealth Centra Care offer convenient care close to home. Find an AdventHealth Centra Care near you and schedule an appointment today.
