Sore Roof of Mouth

A sore roof of mouth is an uncomfortable, raw, and often a dry feeling in the roof of the mouth. Mouth sores are another reason which can give a sore feeling on the roof of the mouth. Mouth sores can occur anywhere inside or outside the mouth. The areas where a person can get mouth sores are lips, roof of the mouth (palate), gums, tongue and inner cheeks. The swollen roof of mouth can be equally discomforting and can cause a raw, uneasy feeling. It is important to treat the soreness on roof of mouth, because the condition can further worsen and a person can get bumps and abscess. Here are the causes and treatment for sore roof of mouth.

Sore Roof of Mouth: Causes

Listed below are the causes which can cause a soreness on the roof of mouth.

• Drinking or eating some hot foodstuffs, which can also give a person mouth ulcers
• Habit of smoking
• Tobacco chewing also leads to swollen roof of mouth behind front teeth or other areas of palate
• Low immunity
• Deficiencies of B12 and folate can result in sore palate
• A person may feel as if his roof of mouth is swollen in case he is suffering from palatal cancer
• Viral or bacterial infection can also lead to a sore palate
• Hormonal changes and stress also contribute to the condition of roof of mouth being swollen

Sore Roof of Mouth: Treatment

One can treat sore palate by observing some home care measures. However, in case you don't get relief from the home care measures, seek medical help.

Home Care Measures
Roof of mouth sores heal within a period of 10 - 12 days, and a sore roof of mouth will take even less time to heal. But sometimes the mouth sores last for a period of 6 weeks. Use these home care measures to get relief from the sores on the roof of the mouth and the soreness of palate to retain your dental health.

• The first thing you need to do is to stay away from any hot or spicy foodstuffs. Eat something light and restrict yourself to easy to chew food.
• In case the sore roof of the mouth troubles you a lot, keep gargling with cool water if you have sores due to burns.
• Swishing the mouth with milk will help to soothe the affected area, and prevent it from further damage.
• Over-the-counter painkillers like acetaminophen can be taken 2 times a day, if you are suffering from pain due to sores on roof of mouth.
• Intake of supplements of vitamin B-complex can also help in healing the sore roof of the mouth faster.
• In case you have sore roof of mouth due to canker sores, gargle your mouth with salt water.
• If you are having fever blisters, then take lysine tablets and apply ice to the affected area.
• You can also apply fluocinonide gel (Lidex) to the sore roof of the mouth, in case of canker sores.
• Chew your food slowly to avoid further irritation to the affected area.
• Use a soft toothbrush for brushing. Replace your toothbrush every month for better dental hygiene.
• You can perform everyday yoga or meditation to control your stress level, and reduce the occurrence of sores in the mouth.

When to Seek Medical Care
Contact a doctor in the following cases for mouth sores cure.

• If you have tried the remedies for more than 2 weeks and are still suffering from soreness on the roof of mouth.
• If you have developed roof of mouth sore, after you started taking new medication.
• If you are suffering from a compromised immune system condition like HIV or cancer.
• If you have white patches which are large and visible on the roof of the mouth or tongue area.
• If your symptoms worsen, and you are experiencing skin rash, difficulty in swallowing or fever along with the sore roof of mouth.

This was about the sore roof of mouth causes and some home care measures. In most cases you will get relief within 2 weeks period by following the above home remedies. However, contact a doctor in the above cases as a sore palate could be pointing to a serious health condition like palatal cancer.