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Overview
Your external skin isn’t the only area of your body that can be burned. A bite into a hot piece of pizza can burn your hard palate, also known as the roof of your mouth. A sip of piping hot coffee or a bite into oven-fresh food can burn your tongue. Your mouth has many delicate tissues that may be sensitive to hot foods and drinks.
These tissues in your mouth are more susceptible to burns than some other soft tissues in your body because they’re especially delicate and thin. In order to appreciate the sensations of eating and drinking, this skin needs to be delicate. It can be easily damaged as a result.
How to treat minor burns on the roof of your mouth
First-degree burns (or minor burns) on the roof of your mouth don’t require medical attention. In fact, treating most minor mouth burns is simple. Here are some common treatments you can use at home.
Food and drinkSip something cool or frozen, such as ice, to help ease the pain. Some drinks, such as milk, coat the inside of your mouth. They provide a layer of relief that water can’t.
Foods that might help include:
- sugarless gum
- smooth, creamy foods such as yogurt, ice cream, sour cream, and cheeses
- cold or frozen foods such as ice pops, pudding, and applesauce
While you’re healing, avoid crunchy foods or foods that have sharp edges or ends. These foods can aggravate the skin. Avoid hot or spicy foods, too. Opt for cool, soft foods until your mouth burns heal.
Mouth rinsesInfections from minor mouth burns are rare. Saltwater rinses can help with mouth pain and have been shown to promote wound healing. Prepare the rinse by dissolving 1/2 teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of lukewarm water. This should be done three to four times per day.
Over-the-counter medicationsYou can take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication to help ease the pain and inflammation. Common OTC medications include ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), and benzocaine (Orajel). Do not take more than the daily recommended dosage of each of these medications.
Aloe veraAloe vera can soothe a skin burn and it can be used orally as well. Look for mouth rinses that contain aloe vera extract, such as these options online. Aloe vera can also be found in gel and juice form. Currently, there are no studies that prove aloe vera’s usefulness in the treatment of mouth burnsTrusted Source.
What to avoid while healingYour mouth usually heals fully in about a week. To help speed up the healing process, here are some tips that may help:
- Avoid acidic foods and drinks like tomatoes, orange juice, and coffee.
- Avoid spicy foods.
- Avoid products with mint or cinnamon (try switching to flavor-free toothpaste).
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco products.
How to know if a mouth burn is severe
First-degree burns cause minimal skin damage. They are also called “superficial burns” because they affect the outermost layer of skin. Signs of a first-degree burn include:
- redness
- minor inflammation, or swelling
- pain
- dry, peeling skin that occurs as the burn heals
A more severe burn, such as a second- or third-degree burn, requires immediate medical attention. Symptoms of these burns include:
In addition to blisters, you may notice pockets of pus if an infection develops in your mouth.
A third-degree burn can affect nerves in your mouth and damage other structures. The affected nerves may be unable to relay pain signals to your brain. These types of burns can cause severe complications