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What Causes Pain And Burning Sensation In The Palate And Inner Gums?
Question: Hello,
I am a 24 year old male, in what I would call very good physical condition. I work out 14 hours a week, have a strict diet, and am very conscious of my overall health. For the last week I've had discomfort in the roof of my mouth and inner gums. The whole area seems to be pale and discolored. I've been a regular user of chewing tobacco for the last 5 years. The pain the last couple days has been the worst while trying to eat. It is almost a burning feeling. It seems to be worse on the outer edges of the roof of my mouth, towards my gums and in my gums. I have also had a slight stuffy nose and itchy throat the last 5 days, I'm not sure if this could be related.
I am a 24 year old male, in what I would call very good physical condition. I work out 14 hours a week, have a strict diet, and am very conscious of my overall health. For the last week I've had discomfort in the roof of my mouth and inner gums. The whole area seems to be pale and discolored. I've been a regular user of chewing tobacco for the last 5 years. The pain the last couple days has been the worst while trying to eat. It is almost a burning feeling. It seems to be worse on the outer edges of the roof of my mouth, towards my gums and in my gums. I have also had a slight stuffy nose and itchy throat the last 5 days, I'm not sure if this could be related.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
There are a few possibilities of what might be going on with your oral tissues. If you are having an upper respiratory infection or allergies, it can contribute to irritation of the mucus membranes of the mouth. Acid reflux can also do this (by causing burning irritation from acid) and tobacco in any form can increase the risk of acid reflux. Sometimes supplements can be irritating to the stomach too, and increase the risk of reflux - although I wouldn't be able to pinpoint which of the supplements might be doing this.
Tobacco, especially chewing tobacco, can cause irritation and decrease in immune function of the affected tissues. And tobacco in any form will delay healing because of it's negative effects on the local immune system.
Another possibility is that there is a yeast infection (thrush), which can feel the way you described, but usually has a more characteristic appearance of patches of white that look like they are stuck on.
I recommend discontinuing or decreasing the supplement (except for Vit. D3) for a week, and if at all possible, to try to quit the chewing tobacco (for good if you can - I know that's hard to do). In addition, take over the counter Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day for a week as well and see if that helps. That will cut down on the acid. If that doesn't help, then go in to your doctor to have a look at what might be going on. If it is helping, then continue these recommendations for a few more weeks until your symptoms resolve.
There is also the possibility of oral leukoplakia which can happen from chewing tobacco, and gives a whitish appearance. That is why, if the symptoms don't get better, it is important to get checked. But you are rather young to have oral leukoplakia. So try these things and if it doesn't help, then absolutely do go in to see your dr.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
There are a few possibilities of what might be going on with your oral tissues. If you are having an upper respiratory infection or allergies, it can contribute to irritation of the mucus membranes of the mouth. Acid reflux can also do this (by causing burning irritation from acid) and tobacco in any form can increase the risk of acid reflux. Sometimes supplements can be irritating to the stomach too, and increase the risk of reflux - although I wouldn't be able to pinpoint which of the supplements might be doing this.
Tobacco, especially chewing tobacco, can cause irritation and decrease in immune function of the affected tissues. And tobacco in any form will delay healing because of it's negative effects on the local immune system.
Another possibility is that there is a yeast infection (thrush), which can feel the way you described, but usually has a more characteristic appearance of patches of white that look like they are stuck on.
I recommend discontinuing or decreasing the supplement (except for Vit. D3) for a week, and if at all possible, to try to quit the chewing tobacco (for good if you can - I know that's hard to do). In addition, take over the counter Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day for a week as well and see if that helps. That will cut down on the acid. If that doesn't help, then go in to your doctor to have a look at what might be going on. If it is helping, then continue these recommendations for a few more weeks until your symptoms resolve.
There is also the possibility of oral leukoplakia which can happen from chewing tobacco, and gives a whitish appearance. That is why, if the symptoms don't get better, it is important to get checked. But you are rather young to have oral leukoplakia. So try these things and if it doesn't help, then absolutely do go in to see your dr.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the response. I did not mention in the first post that I had been taking Clendamycin (spelling), for an abscess tooth that I had an emergency pulpectomy on last month. I have noticed a bunch of little spots on the roof of my mouth and the right side of my gums that look as if skin is missing, or some kind of sores. I have stopped taking all of my vitamins and the antibiotic since wednesday and no improvement yet. Will be calling the dentist today, however.
The pain in my mouth is only there when trying to eat. Eating anything solid is borderline unbearable.
The pain in my mouth is only there when trying to eat. Eating anything solid is borderline unbearable.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
If you were taking an antibiotic, there is an increased possibility that is from yeast than if you had not taken it.
These sores would best be evaluated by seeing it as there are a number of possibilities. It's possible they are canker sores/ulcers. It's also possible that they are directly from clindamycin. It is uncommon, but clindamycin has been reported to cause sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth.
Can you get in to see either your dentist or doctor soon? A special kind of soothing mouth rinse (we call it "magic mouthwash") that contains diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Mylanta, and Carafate, may be helpful. This is sold by prescription. As you are having so much pain, the doctor may want to prescribe magic mouthwash that has lidocaine (a local anesthetic) in it.
Information
Detailed Answer:
If you were taking an antibiotic, there is an increased possibility that is from yeast than if you had not taken it.
These sores would best be evaluated by seeing it as there are a number of possibilities. It's possible they are canker sores/ulcers. It's also possible that they are directly from clindamycin. It is uncommon, but clindamycin has been reported to cause sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth.
Can you get in to see either your dentist or doctor soon? A special kind of soothing mouth rinse (we call it "magic mouthwash") that contains diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Mylanta, and Carafate, may be helpful. This is sold by prescription. As you are having so much pain, the doctor may want to prescribe magic mouthwash that has lidocaine (a local anesthetic) in it.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I do not have insurance and am trying to steer clear until I absolutely have to. I have pictures but not sure how to upload them. I started using an otc antiseptic mouthwash yesterday and seems to be helping a little. My mouth being so dry at night isn't helping much. Im quite sure I'm battling allergies right now.
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
I understand about the insurance. I'm glad the antiseptic mouthwash is helping. You can also try to make your own soothing mouthwash with over the counter Maalox (liquid) and Benadryl (liquid - generic is called diphenhydramine). Swallowing a small amount will not hurt you either. Particularly the Benadryl might help the allergies.
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
I understand about the insurance. I'm glad the antiseptic mouthwash is helping. You can also try to make your own soothing mouthwash with over the counter Maalox (liquid) and Benadryl (liquid - generic is called diphenhydramine). Swallowing a small amount will not hurt you either. Particularly the Benadryl might help the allergies.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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