Soft Palate Pain: Causes & Treatments

What is the Soft Palate?

The soft and hard palates make up the roof of the mouth. It’s primarily used to help people talk, breathe, and swallow.

It’s located behind the hard palate in the back of the mouth. It’s a fleshy part of the mouth that ends in the uvula.

The soft palate does not consist of any bone, and it’s made of muscle and tissue. When you swallow or suck, the soft palate separates the mouth from the throat. 

8 Causes of Soft Palate Pain  

The soft palate contains a few kinds of body tissues, including blood vessels, muscles, ligaments, and fat. It’s common for the soft palate to show signs of swelling and inflammation if the body has a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. 

There are various causes of soft palate pain and inflammation, some more serious than others:

1. Oral Cancer

The most common type of soft palate cancer is squamous cell carcinoma. Early signs of oral cancer include swelling, lumps, redness, pain, and loss of function.

Your oral healthcare provider is the ideal medical professional to address soft palate cancer concerns. You can request a screening during a routine teeth cleaning.

Oral cancer is treated similarly to other cancers. Treatment may include the following:

• Surgery
• Chemotherapy
• Radiation
• Lymph node removal
• Reconstructive surgery

2. Injury or Trauma

An injury or trauma is one of the most common causes of soft palate pain. It’s very common to injure the roof of your mouth by eating hot or hard foods. You may also scratch the roof of your mouth with sharp or edged pieces of food.

Fortunately, mouth injuries or trauma tend to heal quickly. This is because saliva creates a humid environment essential for the survival and function of inflammatory cells involved in healing. 

You can also use the following to help speed up the healing process:

• Proper mouth care
• Topical medicine
• Salt water rinses

3. Dehydration

Dehydration can make the roof of the mouth swell, resulting in a dry mouth. Some common causes of dehydration include:

• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Some medications
• Not drinking enough water
• Excessive sweating, especially on hot days or while exercising
• Illness
• Extreme thirst
• Fatigue 
• Dizziness

The best way to overcome dehydration is to drink plenty of fluids. You can also use an over-the-counter oral rehydration solution.

4. Mouth Sores

Mouth sores are caused by irritation in the lining of the mouth and typically appear as red spots or blisters. Mouth sores found inside the mouth are canker sores, and they’re usually caused by:

• Poor dental hygiene
• Irritation from eating certain foods
• Lack of certain nutrients
• Mouth trauma
• Cold sores

You can use various home remedies like mouth rinses, corticosteroid ointments, oral medications, and nutritional supplements to treat mouth sores. In some cases, your dentist may recommend cautery.

5. Nicotine stomatitis

Smoking involves high temperatures and pressure, which can affect the mouth tissues.  This may lead to a white ‘cracked’ appearance with red dots on your palate. It can also irritate the small salivary glands on your mouth’s roof.

This condition has many names, including nicotine stomatitis, tobacco stomatitis, or smoker’s palate. Some people may not know they have this condition. Fortunately, you can identify it through a routine dental or physical examination.

The only way to treat nicotine stomatitis is to stop smoking. Once you stop smoking, your symptoms should clear up within 1 to 2 weeks. Consult with your doctor if the symptoms persist.

6. Strep Throat

Strep throat is a bacterial infection of the back of the throat. The bacteria A Streptococcus (group A strep) can cause painful swelling in the throat and tonsils. 

Common symptoms of strep throat include:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Pain when swallowing

Strep throat is usually treated with a course of antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe penicillin or amoxicillin to treat group A strep pharyngitis.

7. Squamous papilloma

Squamous papillomas are benign tumors that can form on the palate. They’re caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). This condition is usually asymptomatic.

In some cases, squamous papilloma can be left untreated. If you want to treat this condition, treatment options include:

• Conventional surgical excision
• Cryosurgery
• Laser ablation

8. Denture Stomatitis

Denture stomatitis is caused by candida overgrowth due to poor dental hygiene. Wearing dentures for a prolonged time can also cause denture stomatitis. 

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Pain or discomfort when swallowing
• Redness and swelling in the mouth
• White patches in the mouth

Always remember to take out and clean your dentures every night. Never sleep in your dentures. 

If you’re diagnosed with denture stomatitis, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal or steroid cream. Laser therapy or surgery can help treat more severe cases. 

Home Remedies for Soft Palate Pain 

In most cases, you can treat soft palate pain at home. Home remedies for soft palate pain include:

• Salt water rinse — Mix one teaspoon of table salt into a glass of warm water. Swish around your mouth for 30 seconds. This helps reduce soreness and inflammation.
• OTC medicine — Some OTC medications used to treat soft palate pain include ibuprofen and aspirin. Read and follow the label before taking OTC medication.
• Non-alcoholic fluid intake — This is the best treatment in the case of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. Consider drinking more water or herbal tea.
• Good oral care — Practicing good oral care can reduce the risk of developing soft palate pain. Brush and floss regularly to remove debris and tartar buildup.

When to See a Doctor for Soft Palate Pain 

Most causes of soft palate pain do not require medical care. However, you should meet with a doctor or general dentist in some circumstances.

Some reasons to see a doctor for soft palate pain include:

• Pain that doesn’t subside with over-the-counter medications. 
• Unexplained swelling or swelling that persists for longer than a week.
• Swelling that comes with other symptoms.

In most circumstances, soft palate pain should not be a cause for concern. Usually, a person fully recovers within a few days to a week.

According to the ADA, “The 5-year relative survival rate for those with localized disease at diagnosis is 85%, compared with only a 40% survival rate in patients whose cancer has metastasized.”