The palate can feel burned after consuming hot foods or drinks. While this condition is usually harmless and subsides on its own, if the burning sensation is not caused by heat exposure, special treatment might be needed.

Causes of a burning sensation in the palate

The burning sensation in the palate is typically caused by consuming hot foods and drinks. The human mouth contains delicate tissues that are prone to burns. When someone consumes food or drinks that are too hot, the high temperature can burn the palate, also known as a first-degree burn.

First-degree burns are the mildest form of burns and often do not require medical treatment. Burns occur when heat damages the outer layer of the skin. As the palate heals, the dead skin cells will shed, revealing new cells underneath. This healing process usually takes about one week.

The burning sensation in the palate can also be caused by factors other than heat exposure. This condition is known as burning mouth syndrome, which is usually caused by nerve damage or other causes such as allergies, depression, infections, nutritional deficiencies, and poor oral hygiene.

Treatment for a burning sensation in the roof of the mouth

If you experience a first-degree burn in your mouth, you can treat it with home remedies. After a burn in the mouth, the tongue and oral cavity may feel more sensitive, tender, and painful. Here are some treatments you can try:

Cool the mouth

The first thing to do when the palate feels burned is to cool your mouth. This will help alleviate pain and minimize tissue damage. You can rinse with cold water, suck on a popsicle, or place an ice cube on the palate.

Gargle

Gargling with salt water can help with canker sores and other mouth injuries, including burns. Salt has a drying effect on tissues, which can aid in faster healing. Make a saltwater mixture by adding half a teaspoon of salt to half a cup of warm water. Stir until dissolved, gargle for 30 seconds, and then spit it out. Repeat until the pain subsides.

In addition to saltwater, you can also gargle with a peroxide mouthwash and water mixture or use over-the-counter mouthwash.

Drink milk

If you are not allergic to milk or have lactose intolerance, you can soothe a burned palate by drinking or rinsing with cold milk. Milk can cool the mouth after consuming spicy foods. It coats the tissues, reducing the burning or painful sensation.

Pain relievers

If the above methods do not work, you can use mouth gels containing benzocaine, which will provide temporary numbing relief. If unavailable at the pharmacy, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Pain relievers do not speed up the healing of burns but can help alleviate pain.

What kinds of foods and drinks do you need to avoid?

While the palate is burned, avoid consuming foods and drinks that can trigger pain, such as:

• Carbonated beverages, soda, coffee, and alcohol
• Foods with sharp edges, such as chips
• Hot foods or drinks
• Spicy foods

A burned palate caused by nerve disorders or other illnesses should be treated by a doctor. You should also see a doctor if the burn is accompanied by swelling, blistering, or other wounds.

If you have questions about oral health issues, you can make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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