What Does it Mean When the Roof of My Mouth Hurts?

There are several reasons why the roof of our mouth becomes sore. Majority of these conditions are harmless, but some can be very serious. Here are seven causes of lumps and bumps on the roof of a mouth:

1.Canker sores

Canker sores can develop at any time on the roof of the mouth. They rarely require any treatment and disappear within five to 10 days. Canker sores are red, yellow or white in color. The person may feel pain, have difficulty swallowing or get a sore throat.

In the case of pain, an over-the-counter medicine can be used. Home remedies for canker sores include: rinsing the mouth with salt water or baking soda, eating honey or yogurt, etc. For the rinses, fill half of a glass with water and add a teaspoon of salt/ baking soda. Then, rinse for 15 to 30 seconds and spit out the solution. Repeat after a few hours as many times as needed.

2. Torus palatinus

Torus palatinus is a bony growth that some persons are born with and that may appear only later in life. They occur on the roof and can be small to large in size. The growth does not require treatment in the majority of cases, and it can be surgically removed if required.  The symptoms of Torus palatinus include a lumpy or smooth bump, a slowly growing bump, etc.

3.Burns

The top of a mouth is a sensitive area that can be burnt easily. The area can sometimes get burnt from hot food, a condition called “pizza palate.” Similarly, hot drinks can also cause a burn. A burned palate normally does not require any treatment and heals on its own in three to seven days. In the case of a severe burn, the blister may develop fluid during the healing process.

4. Cold Sores

Cold sores are blisters caused by the herpes simplex virus. The fluid-filled blisters appear on the lips, but they can also form on the mouth’s roof. The blisters are contagious, and they heal on their own within eight to 10 days. During the healing process, it is best to avoid picking or touching the blisters. Cold sores symptoms include an itching or tingling sensation, patches of blisters, oozing blisters, etc.

5. Oral Cancer

Sometimes, sores on the roof of the mouth can show a serious disease such as cancer. Oral cancer can develop in the salivary glands, and its symptoms include a lump in the mouth, a bleeding sore, pain in the jaw, or a sore that is not healing. Using tobacco increases the likelihood of cancer.

Oral cancer treatment will depend on which stage it is identified, and the earlier it is identified the better. If a sore is suspected to be cancerous, the patient will be referred to an oral surgeon for evaluation and biopsy. Treatment of oral cancer many times involves removal of the sore, followed by radiation or chemotherapy.

6. Epstein pearls

Epstein pearls are cysts that appear in the top of the mouth of newborns. The yellowish-white cysts are harmless and normally disappear after few weeks of birth.   

Request an appointment here: https://beniciadentist.com or call Southampton Dental Care at (707) 887-5075 for an appointment in our Benicia office.

 

Recent Posts

How A General Dentist Can Help Prevent Cavities

Learning how to prevent cavities from a general dentist is smart. General dentists understand everything there is to know about how to take care of your mouth and are a great source of dental information. Whether you think you already have a cavity or want to make a preventive appointment to avoid getting a cavity…

What To Expect At Your General Dentist Visit

It is common knowledge that oral health is important and includes regular visits to the general dentist. However, due to busy schedules, there is hardly any time to keep up with those appointments, especially if people do not know what to expect. Routine dental appointments help ensure that potential issues never develop or get out…

Ask A General Dentist: Is There A Waiting Period After Fluoride

If a general dentist recommends fluoride treatments, patients may express concerns about the lasting effects of fluoride. They may also wonder whether eating and drinking are possible immediately afterward. Fortunately, fluoride is one of the easiest dental treatments to undergo with little to no waiting period and great benefits in the long term. Just a…

How Does One Become A General Dentist

A general dentist is a professional in a position of enormous trust. A dentist's duties include diagnosing and sometimes treating conditions of the mouth to relieve oral pain, as well as performing prophylactic treatment to prevent dental conditions. Becoming a dentist involves meeting requirements set by the state to obtain a dental license. To get…


Recent Posts

Material Options For Dental Crowns

3 Material Options For Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are the most popular way to restore teeth that are in bad shape due to decay, injury or other imperfections. Modern-day dentistry has allowed for the evolution of many different material choices, all of which offer their own pros and cons. Keep reading to learn about three options that general dentists recommend. Outlined below…

What Are Invisalign Clear Aligners?

What Are Invisalign Clear Aligners?

Invisalign® is a teeth-straightening treatment that entails wearing sets of custom-made transparent aligners over the teeth. Unlike traditional metal braces that use wires and brackets, the aligners are removable, which means wearers can take them off when they want to eat or brush their teeth. Learn about these clear aligners and how they are used to…