Sore on roof of mouth: causes and solutions

A mouth ulcer is a small sore that can appear anywhere inside your mouth. They’re usually round or oval in shape, and white or yellow in colour with a red border. You may only have one mouth ulcer at a time, or several can appear at once. They can make eating, drinking and even speaking uncomfortable, depending on their location in your mouth. You may develop a mouth ulcer on your gums, tongue, roof of your mouth or inner lips or cheeks.

Luckily, they’re usually harmless and will clear up on their own within a week or two. However, other types of mouth sores can indicate underlying health conditions like viruses or autoimmune conditions.

Mouth ulcers are not uncommon, but developing a sore on the roof of your mouth can still cause concern and discomfort. Several types of sores can develop in or around your mouth, and various factors can cause them. If you’ve ever thought, “Why is the roof of my mouth sore?”, you may have one of these four conditions:

A sore around your mouth – particularly one that doesn't clear up right away – may ultimately be a cold sore. Cold sores are a common growth caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). They’re usually found on the lips, but they can also be found on the hard palate inside your mouth, your gums, tongue or even inside your nose. But what does a cold sore look like? These sores start with a tingling sensation and present themselves as painful, fluid-filled blisters which later rupture and crust over before healing. 

Cold sores usually dry out around four days after appearing and should heal completely after 1-2 weeks. They are very contagious, and you should avoid kissing or sharing food and drinks with others when you have one. You should also avoid touching or picking at them, just as you would for a scab. If the sores don't go away by themselves, make an appointment with your doctor or dentist to have them checked.

Mouth ulcers, also known as canker sores, can develop on the inside of your cheeks and lips or on your tongue and gums, but don't be surprised to feel them on the roof of your mouth as well. Canker sores are round, sensitive sores with a sunken centre and slightly raised edges. Causes of mouth ulcers can include stress, certain foods and hormonal changes; they may also appear at times when your immune system is low. You may also develop a mouth ulcer if you cut or burn the inside of your mouth or bite the inside of your cheek. 

These sores usually hurt for a little over a week, then disappear completely after two weeks. While you wait for your mouth to heal, you may benefit from eating bland foods to avoid irritating the mouth ulcer. You can use an over-the-counter pain-relieving gel during the recovery process. If your sores haven't healed after two weeks, they should be checked out by your dentist.

Sores on the roof of your mouth are sometimes just a burn, particularly after a hot meal. This phenomenon is known as "pizza palate" because fresh slices of pizza are usually the cause of irritation in this part of the mouth. However, pizza isn't the only food that can burn your mouth; any hot food can have this effect. Hot drinks, like coffee or tea, can lead to similar burns.

A burned palate usually heals by itself within three to seven days. In the meantime, you should stick to soft foods and cool drinks. If the area is still sore after seven days, don't hesitate to see your dentist. If the pain is severe, your dentist may prescribe something to ease the discomfort and promote quicker healing.

Although most of the sores that form on the roof of your mouth are harmless, some can be serious. Sores on the roof of your mouth are one of the most common oral cancer symptoms. If you have a sore or lump that hasn't healed after two weeks, make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you can for an evaluation. Oral cancer is most treatable when it's caught early, so it's important to bring suspicious sores to your dentist's attention right away.

Possible oral cancer symptoms include: 

• A lump or sore that doesn’t heal after 2 weeks

• A lump or sore that grows quickly

• A patch of tissue inside your mouth with an irregular shape

• Open or bleeding sores that don’t heal

If you develop a sore in the roof of your mouth or elsewhere, there's no need to assume the cause is something serious. These sores can have many causes, and most are harmless. Many of them go away on their own, but a sore on the roof of your mouth that doesn't heal within two weeks is the perfect reason to see your dentist for an evaluation – and a regular check-up.

Make an appointment with your dentist if you have a mouth sore and experience any of the following:

• Pain that is severe or getting worse over time.

• Signs of infection like pus, swelling or a fever.

• Trauma to your mouth that results in severe bleeding or infection. 

• A high temperature. 

• Inflammation in your mouth or throat that makes it hard to swallow or breathe.

Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions about having a sore on roof of mouth and how to treat it: