| What Is It?
Your pizza arrives, you're hungry and it smells so good. You take out that
first piece, dripping with cheese, take a big bite…and burn the roof
of your mouth. Now you have pizza palate.
Other hot foods and liquids can also burn the roof of your mouth (palate),
but these types of burns have come to be called "pizza palate" because
it is most commonly caused by pizza.
These burns usually are minor and heal within a few days.
Symptoms
The roof of your mouth will be tender and, in some cases, it will blister.
You will probably feel a raw, "raised" sensation in the affected
area.
Diagnosis
This is pretty simple — have you eaten hot pizza overly hot food
or liquid in the last few days? Does the roof of your mouth hurt?
Your dentist will notice that the roof of your mouth is reddened and
possibly blistered. Whitish areas may appear as the tissue heals.
Expected Duration
Thermal burns usually heal in five to 10 days, depending on severity.
Prevention
Make sure your food or drink isn't too hot before you take a bite or
a sip. Be especially careful with food or liquids heated in a microwave
because they may be hotter than your expect.
Treatment
The condition should improve over the course of a week, often sooner.
Stick to soft foods and cool liquids; avoid hard, crusty foods that can
further irritate your mouth. And stay away from hot pizza!
Warm salt water rinses (1/8 of a teaspoon in 8 ounces of water) after
meals will help keep the area clean. Topical anesthetics may relieve
pain from eating in severe cases.
When To Call A Professional
If the soreness and blistering persist beyond 10 days, call your dentist.
Prognosis
Excellent, if wounds are cared for properly.
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