Pain in the Roof of Your Mouth? Dentists Share Causes and Easy Fixes

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.
“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.
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