The oral cavity should not be in pain under normal circumstances, and any case of discomfort can be an indicator of something wrong and must not be left as it is. If your child is complaining that any part of their mouth, like the roof, tongue, or gum, hurts, pick up your phone and schedule an appointment for a dental examination by your pediatric dentist as soon as possible. It is better to catch the problem early on when the chances of treatment success are higher. While a lot of data is on gums and tongue, we are here to explain some reasons why the roof of the mouth hurts.
1. Mouth Palate Burns
If your child has the habit of eating food in haste, there is a chance of their mouth roof burning after eating hot food like pizza fresh out of the oven. The heat damages the fragile tissues in the mouth roof, resulting in pain.
2. Canker Sores
These painful ulcers develop on the mouth palate because of various factors like stress, hormonal changes, or certain foods. Therefore, make a list of all the foods that may serve as potential triggers to eliminate them in hopes of reducing mouth pain.
3. Cold Sores
Herpes simplex virus is the culprit behind the development of cold sores. These ulcerations can appear on the roof of the mouth as blisters, which is why your palate hurts so much.
4. Dry Mouth
When your body does not produce adequate levels of saliva for any reason, the condition is referred to as dry mouth or xerostomia. There could be many reasons why it happens, from less water intake to certain medications or medical conditions.
5. Muscular Cramps
Muscles are present almost everywhere in the body, including the mouth. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances result in muscular cramps, which hurt the roof of the mouth.
6. Oral Cancer
Although discomfort of the mouth palate is less commonly related to oral cancer, it can tag along with other symptoms such as persistent sores, lumps, or discoloration. Early detection is the key to effective treatment. This is why we urge everyone to get regular oral cancer screenings done.
7. Torus Palatinus
It is a harmless bony growth in your mouth. More often than not, it is asymptomatic; however, larger growths may cause discomfort or interfere with eating and speaking.
8. Fungal Infections
Due to fungal infections, oral thrush turns mouths red and sore and develops white patches on the roof of the mouth that hurts, too. These infections are more common in children or adults who have weakened immune systems.
9. Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a common gum disease due to plaque and tartar buildup that causes gum inflammation and pain. This may sometimes extend to the roof of the mouth as well, resulting in discomfort.
10. Infections
Any viral or bacterial infections like strep throat, sinusitis, or colds can cause pain in the roof of the mouth. They present with additional symptoms such as fever, sore throat, or nasal congestion.
Closing Note
Having adequate knowledge of why the roof of the mouth hurts can aid in the identification of the underlying cause of discomfort. If you want more information and do not know where to start, contact Dr. Paichun (Patrick) Huang, DDS, with fellowship status from Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) at Briar Forest Dental Group. We are here to answer all your queries and issues; dial (713) 784-4430 to connect with us. Feel free to learn ways we can be of help.