It is not unusual to get little bumps on the roof of your mouth at some point in your life. In most cases, the bump heals and disappears in time. What happens if it doesn’t?
Pain and discomfort can accompany red spots in the mouth, making ordinary tasks, like eating and talking, difficult. Red spots in the mouth may be asymptomatic and go undetected for a long time. The good news is that most bump causes go away on their own or are easily treated. Nevertheless, in certain circumstances, these bumps may be a sign of a serious underlying illness that needs medical attention.
A variety of factors can contribute to red patches on the roof of your mouth. Here are some common causes:
Physical Injury or Trauma
The most common cause of red patches or sores on the roof of the mouth is injuries such as cuts or burns. These injuries can happen if you drink anything excessively hot if you have ill-fitting dentures that irritate the soft tissue, if you have a damaged tooth or an uneven filling, or if you scratched the roof of your mouth when brushing your teeth.
Within a week or two, these injuries, as well as any resulting red spots or sores, will heal on their own. If the red area does not heal or worsen, see your doctor or dentist to make sure it has not become infected or that there is not an underlying medical condition causing problems.
Canker Sores
Canker sores frequently appear on the inside of cheeks and lips, but they can appear elsewhere, including the roof of the mouth. Stress, eating certain foods, or coming into contact with some other irritants are all common causes of canker sores. The sores usually start off as little red pimples with a white core. Often these sores will resolve in a week to 10 days if treated with over-the-counter medications.
Celiac disease, Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, and HIV are among illnesses that can cause canker sores. A conventional canker sore will heal in a week or so on its own. Consult your doctor or dentist if your canker sores remain longer or are becoming more common.
Coxsackievirus
Coxsackievirus, the virus that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease, causes severe blisters and red spots on the roof of the mouth, as well as the hands and feet. This is most frequent in children under the age of 5, but it can affect anyone of any age. Over-the-counter drugs for fever and soreness, as well as pharmaceutical mouthwashes, are available to assist ease the discomfort caused by the oral sores.
Oral herpes
The herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes herpes, which is a viral infection. Open sores in or around the mouth, often known as cold sores or fever blisters, are caused by this virus.
Cold sores usually form on the corners of the lips, but they can also appear inside the mouth, particularly on the roof. They usually appear as white, open sores, but they can sometimes appear as red spots, especially when they are first forming and healing.
HSV is carried by a large percentage of the population between the ages of 14 and 49. When a person’s immune system is weakened, such as during cold weather or after another infection or sickness, cold sores may form.
Cold sores normally disappear within a couple of weeks. To prevent the virus from spreading, people should avoid close physical contact with others and sharing personal goods such as razors, toothbrushes, lip balms, and towels.
Strep Throat
Streptococcus causes strep throat, a bacterial infection that causes sore throat and swollen tonsils. While red spots on the tonsils are common, strep can also cause red marks on the roof of the mouth. A painful throat, difficulty swallowing, swollen tonsils and lymph nodes, and a fever are all symptoms of strep. If you think you have strep throat, consult your doctor right away. Antibiotics are required to cure this infection, and the spots will fade away once the infection is treated.
Candidiasis
Oral thrush, often known as candidiasis, is a yeast infection caused by the fungus Candida. This fungus lives in the digestive tract and helps with digestion and gut health. Certain illnesses or antibiotic use, on the other hand, can cause the fungus to grow and spread throughout the mouth.
You may notice white or red spots in your mouth, including on the roof of your mouth when this happens. When eating or swallowing, you may notice a lack of flavour, cottonmouth, and pain. Antifungal drugs are used to treat candidiasis, as well as address any underlying causes of the overgrowth.
Hyperdontia
There is a chance you have Hyperdontia if the hump on the roof of your mouth feels firm or even pointy. Hyperdontia is a disorder characterized by excessive tooth growth. These can appear anywhere along the curved portions of the jaw where the teeth are linked. These extra teeth can be seen on dental x-rays, and they can be extracted.
When Should You Be Concerned?
The good news is that most red spots on the roof of the mouth go away on their own with little or no treatment. If a lump or lesion does not heal within two weeks, you should schedule an appointment with your oral health care provider to have it checked.
At Springdale Dental Centre, we provide dental care and are here to help you with your dental health concerns. Send us an email at in**@sp**************.com or call the office at 905-458-1212 today to schedule an appointment.
