6 Steps for Treating a Burn on the Roof of your Mouth

It's a common experience to act impulsively when faced with the temptation of a freshly heated pizza pop, despite knowing it's too hot to eat immediately. Impatience driven by hunger often results in a burn on the roof of the mouth or tongue. Should you find yourself in this situation, here are the steps to mitigate the discomfort and aid in healing.

1. Feel the Burn

Indulging in a delightful slice of hot pizza or a comforting, yet overly heated, serving of soup can often lead to impatience overpowering caution due to intense hunger. Occasionally, circumstances such as swiftly consuming a meal after enjoying some wine, or hastily sipping coffee during a morning rush to work, may result in an inadvertent scald on your cheek or tongue. While the burns are relatively minor and not severe, they can be quite painful. It is important to understand how to respond to such mishaps effectively.

2. Know the Burn

The American Dental Association offers a credible explanation for the discomfort experienced after consuming excessively hot beverages or foods, such as tea or spaghetti sauce. While first-degree burns resulting from exposure to high temperatures do not typically necessitate emergency medical treatment, they can damage the superficial layer of skin inside the mouth, including the palate and inner cheek area. It is important to exercise caution when ingesting hot items to avoid tissue injury.

3. Understand the Burn

Dr. Alison Bruce, a dermatologist at the Mayo Clinic, states that the majority of mouth burns classify as first-degree burns, with second-degree burns being less common. These burns affect the epithelial cells in the outermost layer of the skin within the mouth and tongue. She points out the difference between the skin in the mouth and the rest of the body, noting that the absence of a fatty layer beneath the mouth's inner lining makes it more susceptible to burns due to its proximity to the underlying bone.

4. Here Comes the Swelling and Blisters

If you inadvertently consume an excessively hot beverage, such as hot cocoa, you may sustain a first-degree burn, leading to inflammation and redness of the superficial epidermal layers as part of the body's healing response, where increased blood flow and fluids converge to facilitate recovery. Should the burn approach second-degree severity, it can result in blister formation and significant discomfort until the regeneration process allows dead tissue to give way to the emergence of fresh, healthy skin.

5. Pain Relief, Start!

As per Healthline.com, experiencing pain and swelling subsequent to a mouth burn is a natural aspect of the healing process. Should the discomfort become pulsating or impede your ability to consume food, communicate, or ingest liquids, the application of an anesthetic oral gel to the affected area may offer alleviation. Immediate rinsing of the mouth with cold water post-burn can aid in diminishing heat and inflammation, providing a measure of relief. For further comfort, it is advised to consider over-the-counter analgesics, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

6. Now it’s Healing Time

For most minor first-degree burns within the mouth, medical attention is not usually required unless symptoms such as persistent pain or difficulty breathing arise. It is prudent to observe indicated cooling periods for heated foods to prevent such occurrences. To facilitate healing, it is recommended to allow sufficient time for recovery. According to Healthline.com, the mouth's epidermis generally recovers rapidly, taking approximately one week, with no expected long-term impairment to the taste buds on the tongue's mucosal surface.