Pain in the roof of your mouth is often an early symptom that something is wrong. Fortunately, the vast majority of time it is not a serious condition. The roof of the mouth, also called the palate, comes into contact with food, drinks and the sharp edges of teeth frequently. This makes it prone to burns and sores. It can be difficult to pinpoint the source of discomfort, but there are several things you can do to help relieve your pain and prevent further problems from developing.
Most often, the roof of your mouth hurts due to a temporary irritation from something you eat or drink. This is commonly referred to as a pizza palate, but can be caused by other hot foods and drinks as well. This type of pain is typically short-lived and can be eased with over the counter painkillers.
You can also minimize the pain by avoiding spicy, acidic and carbonated foods as they will make your symptoms worse. If you are unable to avoid these types of foods, you can rinse your mouth with warm water after meals and use a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently brush the roof of your mouth.
If your mouth roof hurts and over the counter treatments do not reduce the symptoms, you should visit a dentist or oral pathologist. They will be able to examine the site and may take cell scrapings to test for the presence of any infections or systemic diseases.