Burned the Roof of Your Mouth? Simple & Safe Tips for Fast Healing

The Most Common Cause of a Burn on the Roof of the Mouth

Burning the roof of your mouth usually happens when something too hot, especially food or drink, comes into contact with the delicate tissue in that area.

In most cases, it’s not just the roof of the mouth that gets affected. The tip of your tongue often gets burned as well, since both are the first parts to touch foods and drinks you put on your mouth. When this happens, the pain is usually immediate.

Symptoms of a Burned Roof of the Mouth from Hot Food or drink

In mild cases, the burned area may look slightly red and feel sore or more sensitive than usual. Although it can be painful, it typically heals within just a few hours.

However, if the burn is caused by something hot and sticky—like melted cheese—that stays in contact with the roof of your mouth for longer, it can lead to a more serious burn. That’s because the roof of the mouth is a fragile area with a thin lining that doesn’t handle high heat well, especially with prolonged exposure.



In these cases, the outer layer of skin may begin to peel off, the area will look bright red with sometimes white or pale pink blisters, and you’ll likely feel a burning sensation and lingering pain. These symptoms tend to persist longer and may take several days to fully resolve.

More severe burns—those that damage deeper layers of skin and may leave scars—are rare when it comes to hot food. These types of injuries usually result from other accidents, such as electrical burns or contact with extremely hot objects, like those used during certain dental procedures.

Other Less Common Causes of a Mouth Burn

While hot food and drinks are the most common culprits, other factors can also cause burn-like injuries in the mouth.

One of them is allergic reactions.
Although they’re not technically burns, allergic reactions can produce very similar symptoms. They happen when your immune system overreacts to a harmless substance it sees as a foreign body.

The most common triggers for mouth allergies include certain ingredients in toothpaste and mouthwash (especially mint flavors, sulfates, alcohol, and essential oils) and some foods, like specific fruits, nuts, or cinnamon.

An allergic reaction inside the mouth can look and feel like a burn. You might notice red patches, a tingling or burning sensation, and even swelling or small blisters in some cases.

Certain chemicals and medications can also cause a “chemical burn” in the mouth. This can happen when harsh roducts like undiluted hydrogen peroxide, essential oils, or teeth-whitening agents come into direct contact with your oral tissues.

Another common—and harmful—habit is placing an aspirin tablet directly against a painful tooth. Aspirin is too acidic, and doing this can actually burn the surrounding gum and mouth tissues, causing irritation, skin peeling, and discomfort.

Burning in the Mouth Without Any Visible Injury

Sometimes, you might feel a burning sensation in your mouth even though there’s no obvious sign of injury. One possible reason for this is a condition called Burning Mouth Syndrome.

This is a relatively rare condition, affecting about 2% of the population—most commonly postmenopausal women over the age of 50.

Unlike burns caused by hot food or drinks, Burning Mouth Syndrome doesn’t leave any visible marks. Your mouth might look completely healthy, yet you may still feel a persistent burning or tingling sensation. Many people also report a dry mouth and changes in their sense of taste.

The exact cause of this condition isn’t fully understood. However, several factors may contribute to it, including nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, anxiety, depression, chronic irritation, allergies, or dry mouth.

How to Heal a Burn on the Roof of Your Mouth Quickly

If you’ve accidentally burned the roof of your mouth with hot food or a drink, the good news is that most of these heal on their own, usually within a day or so, without needing any special treatment.

Your saliva plays a key role in the healing process. It contains everything needed for fast, scar-free recovery, including:

• Antimicrobial properties
• Moisturizing effects – to keep the burn from drying out
• Essential proteins and growth factors

Simply simulating your saliva production by chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water can promote faster healing.

Before your burn has fully healed, it’s important to avoid anything that might make it worse. Here are some things to stay away from:

• Spicy or sour foods — These can irritate the burn and increase pain.
• Very hot foods or drinks — Adding more heat can worsen the burn, turning a mild injury into a more severe one that takes longer to heal.
• Crunchy or rough foods — These can scrape or injure the sensitive skin on your palate.

While you’re letting your mouth heal, here are some simple ways to ease the discomfort:

• Drink cool water.
• Eat fresh or frozen foods like yogurt or ice cream.
• Suck on an ice cube (but don’t overdo it, because just like too much heat, too much cold isn't good either).
• Rinse your mouth several times a day with a baking soda solution (mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon of baking soda in 1 cup of water). Baking soda helps reduce acidity and inflammation, which can soothe the burn and speed up healing.
• Use a numbing gel (such as Orajel) on the burned area. Be sure to follow the product instructions carefully.