Pain in the Roof of Your Mouth? Here’s What Dentists Say Might Be Causing It + Easy Home Remedies
Turns out a dab of honey can help speed healing
When the roof of your mouth hurts, it’s easy to assume you might have scraped or burned it while eating. But it turns out there are other culprits unrelated to a minor oral injury. Whatever the cause, the discomfort can be bothersome and even make eating some of your favorite foods less enjoyable (we’re looking at you, crunchy potato chips!). Keep reading to learn what can trigger pain in the roof of the mouth, how to treat it and when it might signal something more serious.
What causes the roof of your mouth to hurt?
The roof of the mouth is a sensitive area, and there are quite a few reasons it might ache or throb. While some are harmless and temporary, others may require medical attention, says Randy Kunik, DDS, founder of Kunik Orthodontics. Here, some of the biggest offenders:
Canker sores
If you notice a tiny, round ulcer with a white or yellowish center and a red edge, you might have a canker sore.
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“They can pop up on the roof of your mouth due to stress, acidic foods or even a minor injury you might not have noticed,” says Dr. Kunik. “They hurt because they expose nerve endings, making even simple tasks like eating or speaking uncomfortable.”
Cold sores
Viral infections—specifically herpes simplex virus (HSV)—can cause painful blisters or lesions on the roof of the mouth, says Karen Man, DDS, Chief Dental Officer of SmileGrove Dental. The virus affects nerve endings, making the area especially sensitive to touch or pressure, she explains.
Dental problems
The pain from infections in the teeth or gums, such as an abscessed tooth, can spread to the roof of the mouth because the nerves in the area are closely connected, says Dr. Man.
Oral thrush
Yeast infections can also be present in the mouth. This is called oral thrush, and it often appears as white patches on the roof of the mouth or tongue, Dr. Kunik explains.
“It tends to happen if your immune system is weakened, you’ve been on antibiotics or you have conditions like diabetes,” he says. “These patches can feel sore and tender because the fungal overgrowth irritates the sensitive tissue.”
Allergic reactions
In some cases, exposure to certain foods, drinks or even toothpaste ingredients can trigger an allergic response, which leads to pain, swelling and inflammation in the roof of the mouth that makes the area feel tender and irritated, Dr. Kunik says.
Dry mouth
Pain may not be a symptom that comes to mind when you think of dry mouth, but saliva also protects your oral tissues and helps wash away bacteria. So, when your mouth gets too dry (from dehydration, medication side effects or certain medical conditions), the roof of your mouth can become dry and painful, too, explains Dr. Kunik.
Sinus infections
Another surprising cause of pain in the roof of the mouth is a sinus infection, Dr. Kunik says.
“The sinuses sit just above the roof of your mouth, and when they’re inflamed or congested, it can cause a dull, aching pain that feels like it’s coming from the palate,” he notes. “You might notice it gets worse when you bend over or chew.”
Underlying health conditions
Autoimmune conditions, like oral lichen planus or pemphigus vulgaris, can cause persistent inflammation and painful sores on the roof of your mouth, says Dr. Kunik. Both of these conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy tissues in your mouth, he explains.
“While it’s less common, oral cancer can also cause persistent pain, sores or lumps on the roof of your mouth,” he adds.
Home remedies for pain in the roof of your mouth
If the roof of your mouth hurts because of an underlying health condition, getting that treated should clear up any oral pain and discomfort. As for the other common triggers we mentioned above, these home remedies help soothe tenderness and speed healing:
Rinse with salt water
One of the easiest and most effective remedies for roof-of-mouth pain is a saltwater rinse, Dr. Kunik says. He recommends mixing about ½ tsp. of salt in a glass of warm water and swishing it gently in your mouth a few times a day.
“This helps reduce inflammation, keeps the area clean and can speed up healing,” he says.
Cool the area
Cold compresses or ice chips can also be helpful, explains Dr. Kunik. Holding an ice cube against the sore area or letting ice chips melt in your mouth can temporarily numb the pain and reduce swelling, he advises.
Apply a dab of honey
Honey has natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and applying a small amount directly to the sore spot can provide pain relief and help prevent infection, Dr. Kunik offers.
Another natural salve is Aloe. “Food-grade aloe vera gel is a gentle remedy,” Dr. Kunik adds. “Just dab a small amount on the affected area to calm the inflammation and speed up healing.”
If the roof of your mouth still hurts, visit a doctor
Home remedies are a great first step to help treat minor oral health problems. But if the pain persists beyond a few days or if you notice signs of infection, such as redness spreading or difficulty eating, you should consult a dentist or physician to get to the root of the problem, advises Dr. Man.
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