Mouth sores are a relatively common occurrence and can be quite annoying to experience. Sometimes they can even appear in hard-to-reach places, such as a sore on the roof of your mouth.
These sores can result from a variety of different conditions, and that’s what we’ll be discussing in this post. It’s important to note that not all sores are benign, and some can indicate the presence of potential viral infection or cancerous growth.
Why Do I Have A Sore On The Roof Of My Mouth?
A sore can develop anywhere on the soft tissues inside the mouth. This can include the inside of your lips or cheeks, the underside of your tongue, and even the roof of your mouth.
Some simple causes of mouth sores are minor, everyday injuries. Some of these include:
- accidentally biting your cheek, lip, or tongue
- using a firm toothbrush, or brushing too aggressively, causing damage to soft tissues
- eating something that’s too hot, causing a burn inside your mouth
- tissue injury from sharp objects such as retainers or braces
- eating very acidic or spicy foods
- chewing tobacco or drinking alcohol
While these activities can cause damage and prompt the emergence of a sore on the inside of your mouth, the sore is likely harmless. Therefore, it should heal and clear up naturally within a few days or weeks. These can be canker sores, which are the most common kind.
Sometimes, sores can be the result of neglecting a good oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing regularly prevents the growth of bacteria and the formation of dental plaque, but it also prevents organisms from taking up residence elsewhere inside your mouth. Yeast infections can cause oral thrush, which can show up as bumps on the surfaces of the mouth.
However, there are other reasons you can develop sores in your mouth, some of which may be the result of more serious conditions.
More Serious Causes for Roof Of Mouth Sores
Sores inside the mouth can also signal the presence of the herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1). In some cases, it’s possible for the type 2 virus (HSV-2) to cause oral sores instead of genital sores. This can be due to sexual contact, kissing, or sharing food or cosmetic items. In this case, naturally, the sores can be contagious. Mononucleosis caused by EBV can also cause sores, as can HIV.
Oral cancer and autoimmune diseases also cause sores.
Conclusion: See A Dentist To Make Sure
The bottom line is that while mouth sores can go away on their own, they can sometimes last much longer. If you’d like an expert opinion and are worried about the possibility of a mouth sore being more serious, it’s best to consult a qualified oral surgeon.
Katy Cypress Oral Surgery covers all of your oral surgery needs, with the top priority being safety, effectiveness, and patient comfort. Our qualified dental surgeons will be able to advise you on how to best treat your roof of mouth sore.
For any questions or concerns, or to get more information about consultations or appointments, call us at (281) 667-0607. We invite you to discover the difference a highly-skilled, dedicated team can make to your surgery experience.