“I’m an orthodontist, and this is why my palate hurts so much.”

To get to the root of palate pain, we spoke to Marina Gonchar, DMD, orthodontist and founder of Skin to Smile. We’ll also explain how to treat palatitis and when to visit the dentist.

What causes palate pain?

There are many reasons why your palate hurts, but here are some of the most common causes.

1. You have canker sores.

Canker sores are sores or scrapes (usually red, yellow, or white) that can appear anywhere inside the mouth, including the roof of the mouth. Dr. Gonchar says the delicate nature of the skin inside the mouth can make it very painful and uncomfortable. There are many different types of canker sores, but canker sores are the most common and can be caused by “trauma, burns, infection, or allergies,” Dr. Gonchar added. Even stress can cause them.

Fortunately, canker sores don’t last very long, usually healing on their own in 7 to 14 days, and the pain usually subsides within 2 to 3 days after the initial healing period, says Dr. Gonchar.

Treatment method

Canker sores usually heal on their own, but there are things you can do to relieve the pain. Dr. Gonchar recommends rinsing with warm salt water, avoiding spicy and acidic foods, using over-the-counter (OTC) local anesthetics like Oragell ($7.32), and if it’s bad enough, prescription mouthwashes. and the use of corticosteroids.

2. I have a cold sore.

Cold sores are ulcers or blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus and are a common infection that spreads primarily through skin-to-skin contact. It usually appears on the lips and outside of the mouth, but can also appear on the roof of the mouth, Dr. Gonchar said. And they can be quite painful.

“The roof of the mouth is full of nerve endings,” says Dr. Gonchar. “That means you’re going to feel more pain in this area.” Symptoms like itching, burning, and tingling may appear a day or so before a blister forms. Additionally, if this is your first infection with the herpes virus, you may experience the following systemic symptoms:

Fever Sore gums Sore throat Headache Muscle pain Swollen lymph nodes

Treatment method

“Treatment for cold sores typically involves rinsing with warm salt water, avoiding irritating foods, and using over-the-counter numbing gels,” says Dr. Gonchar. If these don’t work, talk to your health care provider. She says you can be prescribed stronger antiviral creams or oral medications to reduce symptoms and prevent breakouts.

During the outbreak, you should also avoid close contact with others (such as kissing, oral sex, and sharing eating utensils, razors, and towels) to avoid accidentally spreading the infection.

3. I burned my mouth.

If you’ve ever eaten a spoonful of piping hot soup or taken a bite of a cookie straight out of the oven, you know the pain of mouth burn. When this happens, “the delicate outer layer of tissue on top of the mouth sloughs off,” Dr. Gonchar says. ah.

Not only can high temperatures cause burns to the roof of the mouth, but extremely spicy foods can do the same, she says.

Treatment method

There’s not much you can do about mouth burns other than wait. You can drink cold water or suck on ice to relieve the pain while it heals. Additionally, avoid “acidic and spicy foods, which can further irritate the wound,” Dr. Gonchar added.

4. You have a cut (or other injury)

You may not think about it, but if you put something sharp in your mouth, you can cut or bruise your palate. This can include pens (if you’re guilty of chewing), forks, oral appliances like retainers or dentures, or dental restorations like fillings or crowns that have sharp edges, Dr. Gonchar says.

Treatment method

“The best treatment for this injury is to identify the cause of the problem,” says Dr. Gonchar. If the source of the cut is on the outside of your mouth (such as from a pen or fork), try to avoid or be more careful about cuts in the future. If it’s coming from inside your mouth (i.e., a retainer or crown), be sure to see your dentist for an adjustment, she says.

5. It’s a fungal infection (also known as candidiasis)

“Thrush, or oral thrush, is a fungal infection that can cause sores on the roof of the mouth,” says Dr. Gonchar. Red and cream-colored white canker sores or spots usually indicate oral thrush. Or you may have other symptoms, such as loss of taste, a cottony feeling in the mouth, or bleeding from the lesions.

Thrush can develop after the use of antibiotics (which disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria in the mouth) or due to certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, but it eventually becomes a disease that indicates a weakened immune system. Dr. Gonchar says.

In rare cases, the fungal infection that causes candidiasis can spread to the esophagus and cause symptoms such as pain, difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and fever.

Treatment method

Treatment for yeast infections often involves taking antifungal medications prescribed by your health care provider, which may come in the form of rinses, lozenges, or oral medications, Dr. Gonchar says. Point out. Since this is usually a secondary symptom, treatment also requires identifying and treating the primary cause, she added.

6. I have dry mouth

Dry mouth (also known as xerostomia) is a condition in which the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva. A lack of saliva in the mouth can lead to “a variety of dental problems, including pain and discomfort” in the upper part of the mouth, says Dr. Gonchar. More specifically, it can cause inflammation and increase sensitivity in the area.

There are countless causes of dry mouth, but some of the most common include aging, certain medications, or radiation therapy for cancer. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, your mouth may be dry when you wake up in the morning after sleeping with your mouth open all night. The Mayo Clinic notes other symptoms:

Dry or sticky feeling in the mouth Bad breath with thick, stringy saliva Difficulty chewing, speaking, or swallowing Dry or sore throat, hoarseness Dry or grooved tongue Changes in taste Problems wearing dentures Lipstick on the teeth adhere to

Treatment method

Most cases of dry mouth can be treated at home with over-the-counter (OTC) saliva substitutes like Biotene ($16.99) and drinking plenty of water, Dr. Gonscher says. However, if your dry mouth is caused by a medical condition or certain medications, you should work with your health care provider or dentist to identify and treat the underlying cause.

If that doesn’t work, Dr. Gonchar says some health care providers may offer prescription drugs to increase saliva flow, such as pilocarpine (Saragen) or cevimeline (Evozac).

7. It is a bone growth (aka palatine torus)

If you have palate pain or a bump on the roof of your mouth, you may be dealing with a palatal torus (also known as a palatal torus). These are bony growths that form in the center of the hard palate and may be present at birth or develop later in life. Although they are harmless, “because of their bulky size, they can be very uncomfortable,” says Dr. Gonchar. As they grow, “they can put pressure on soft tissues, blood vessels, and nerves, causing pain,” she says.

Treatment method

“If toast forms as a result of pressure from dentures or other appliances, adjusting the dental appliance can prevent further growth of the toast,” says Dr. Gonchar. “However, in most birds the cause is unknown (but includes factors such as genetics, hormones, age, sex, and environmental factors).”

Additionally, if your bird is causing pain or discomfort without an external cause (such as a retainer), surgery may be recommended by your health care provider.

Other symptoms associated with palate pain

When your palate hurts, it’s not uncommon to experience additional symptoms. Dr. Gonchar said this is because inflammation of the palate tissue can “directly affect the nerves and blood vessels of the head and neck,” causing radiating symptoms. She says additional symptoms may include:

Diffuse tooth pain Sinus pressure Sinus headaches Ear pain Possible sore throat Unexplained head and neck discomfort

Does that mean oral cancer?

In some cases, pain in the roof of the mouth can mean oral cancer, according to Dr. Gonchar. This can happen when cancer cells invade nearby tissue, causing inflammation of blood vessels and nerves, she added. However, “not all oral cancers are painful,” Dr. Gonchar says. Instead, some people experience swelling or a change in color of the palate tissue.

Oral cancer is rare, but if you’re concerned, keep an eye out for other signs, including:

Lip or canker sores that don’t heal White or reddish spots in the mouth Loose teeth Boiling or lumps in the mouth Mouth pain Ear pain Difficulty or pain in swallowing

Dr. Gonchar says be sure to report any suspicious changes in your mouth to your health care provider or dentist. You can request a biopsy for early detection of serious diseases such as cancer, which is key to proper and effective treatment.

How to get rid of pain in the palate

Palate pain is usually temporary. For example, if you accidentally poke yourself with a fork or drink a hot drink, the tissue will heal on its own within a few days. Until then, you can reduce discomfort with these simple strategies.

Avoid irritating foods. Spicy or acidic foods can make symptoms worse. Use OTC medications. Over-the-counter medications such as local anesthetics, numbing gels, and NSAIDS can help reduce pain. Identify the root cause of your pain. “If the pain is the result of medication overuse or secondary to another medical condition, that medical condition must be addressed to resolve the discomfort,” says Dr. Gonchar. For example, if you treat oral problems such as candidiasis or xerostomia, your mouth pain should improve.

when should you go to the dentist

“If pain or swelling persists for more than seven days, it is important to see a dentist to diagnose and treat the problem,” says Dr. Gonchar.

In fact, “any changes in your palate should be seen by your dentist,” she says. “Even if there’s no pain, including swelling or tissue inflammation.” There are several benign reasons for palate pain, but in rare cases, persistent pain could be a sign of something more serious. . Therefore, it is better to see a doctor.