Swelling of the palate
introduction
The palate (palate) forms the roof of the oral cavity and is further divided into a hard and a soft palate. The hard palate consists of a hard bone plate and forms the front part of the oral cavity. The soft palate delimits the oral cavity towards the pharynx by the two soft palate, in the middle of which the uvula (uvula) is located.
Read more on the subject: Bump on the roof of the mouth
The palate plays an important role in eating and speaking. A swollen palate therefore always manifests itself with difficulty swallowing, hoarseness and usually pain. Since the palate is in close proximity to the almonds (Tonsils) it is very susceptible to bacterial or viral infections. The causes of a swollen palate will now be discussed in more detail below.
causes
The most common cause of a swollen roof of the mouth is infection. They can start from an inflamed tooth root, from the sinuses, the throat (Pharynx) or from the almonds (Tonsils) itself. Inflammation from the sinuses (sinusitis) or the throat (Pharyngitis) are usually viral and cause moderately painful swelling of the palate. This can result in a slight hoarseness, but above all pain when swallowing and a sore throat, which usually last a few days.
A bacterial inflammation of the tonsils (acute tonsillar angina) is far more painful. This is mostly a streptococcal infection, which is accompanied by a high fever, a badly swollen palate, severe sore throat and difficulty swallowing. The pain can even radiate into the ear. The severe swelling of the palate usually leads to hoarseness, or even to a "lumpy" language. In children, the immense swelling of the palate can even lead to an obstruction of the airways.
The bacterial tonsillitis should always be treated with antibiotics (penicillin) treated to avoid complications such as cardiac (Endocarditis) and kidney involvement (Glomerulonephritis) to prevent. In the case of recurrent tonsillitis, surgical removal of the tonsils can be considered.
Another cause of very painful swelling of the palate is Pfeiffer's glandular fever. Pfeiffer's glandular fever is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, a group of viruses belonging to the human herpes viruses. It is very contagious and is transmitted through the saliva, which is why the disease is also known as "kissing disease". Pfeiffer's glandular fever leads to febrile tonsillitis with white-gray coatings, heavily swollen palate and generalized swelling of the lymph nodes within one or a few weeks after infection. It is associated with fever, hoarseness, severe sore throat and difficulty swallowing. In terms of therapy, the main focus here is on physical rest, as well as the administration of painkillers and antipyretic drugs. Antibiotic is ineffective in the event of Epstein-Barr virus infection.
Read more on the subject at:
- Glandular Pfeiffer fever
- Lymph node swelling after surgery
Another source of infection for inflammation of the palate is, for example, tooth root inflammation, which is usually caused by tooth decay. Tooth root inflammation is initially noticeable as a pressing pain when biting, later, when the bacteria have already penetrated the tooth pulp, as a constant throbbing pain. As with any infection, the inflammation spreads to the surrounding tissue, for example the hard palate if the teeth of the upper jaw are affected, and leads to painful swelling there.
Read more on the subject at: Root inflammation
Other possible causes of a swollen palate are burns, hot drinks or food. They usually lead directly to reddening and swelling of the palate, especially in the area of the hard palate, in the anterior oral cavity. Cooling is particularly helpful here. Allergies can also lead to swelling of the palate. Hard and soft palates can be equally affected here and be accompanied by redness, swelling and itching.
Find out more about the topic here: Burning palate
Symptoms
Swelling of the palate is primarily characterized by difficulty swallowing, as the palate is involved in every swallowing process. On the one hand, by pressing the tongue against the hard palate, the chyme is transported to the back of the oral cavity. And on the other hand, the nasopharynx is closed by lifting the two soft palate during the act of swallowing.
If the palate is severely swollen, each swallow can cause severe pain and dysfunction. Inflammatory swelling of the palate usually leads to severe pain on the palate and a sore throat, which can radiate into the ear due to the proximity to the surrounding nerves and the parotid gland.
An allergic swelling of the palate can be accompanied by severe itching. A very large, swollen roof of the mouth can even obstruct the airway, which is a life-threatening emergency.
Read more on the topic: Swelling in the mouth
difficulties swallowing
Difficulty swallowing always occurs with a swollen palate, as the palate plays a key role in every act of swallowing. In the case of an inflammatory swelling of the palate, the main focus here is the pain when swallowing, which can also radiate into the ear. Since the tissue in the throat area is very irritated and sensitive to pain, it is advisable to avoid spicy, spicy, crumbly food and very hot drinks. Warm teas or cold drinks, as well as mild porridge and pureed soups, are better so as not to further irritate the tissue. It is also important to keep the mucous membranes moist by drinking plenty of fluids in order to accelerate regeneration and wound healing.
Read more on the subject at: difficulties swallowing
Sore throat
Like difficulty swallowing, a sore throat is often accompanied by an inflammatory swelling of the palate. Due to the inflammation, the surrounding tissue is severely irritated, sensitive to pain and swelling. Warm teas help against sore throats, for example peppermint tea or chamomile tea, but also sore throat tablets, which can be purchased over the counter at the pharmacy. If, in addition to the sore throat, a very high fever, severe hoarseness, or a "lumpy" language occurs, a doctor should be consulted, as it could be a bacterial infection that should be treated with antibiotics.
Read more on the subject at: Sore throat
therapy
Depending on the cause, there are different therapy options. Bacterial tonsillitis can be treated well with antibiotics.
In the case of viral infections, usually only pain killers and antipyretic drugs help.
For sore throats, sore throats can be bought over the counter from pharmacies, or pain relievers such as ibuprofen can help. In allergic reactions, depending on the extent of the allergic reaction, either antihistamines or cortisone are administered. Local cooling also helps with all swellings.
Home remedies
Home remedies that help with swelling of the palate include teas made from chamomile, sage or linden blossom. They can either be drunk or used to gargle. As they have antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects, they can be used for all forms of inflammation in the mouth area. Cranberry juice also has an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effect and can be drunk when there is inflammatory swelling of the palate.
Another good measure for painful swelling is cooling. For example, you can have cool drinks or occasionally suck on ice cubes. Spicy, acidic or spicy, crumbly foods and drinks, including coffee, should be avoided. Porridge or pureed soups made from light and mild ingredients are better. It is also important to drink a lot when there is inflammation in the mouth area in order to keep the mucous membranes moist, promote regeneration and wound healing and reduce pain.
forecast
Generally a swollen palate has since he mostly of inflammatory origin is and the Mucous membrane well supplied with blood is and regenerates quickly, always one good and quick healing tendency. They can be treated well with home remedies. However, if this does not have a sufficient effect, a doctor should always be consulted.
prophylaxis
Prophylactic against one allergic swelling of the palate is above all that Avoiding allergens. Around inflammatory swelling To prevent the palate, it helps Strengthen the immune system, through regular exercise and a balanced diet rich in vitamins. Foods that boost the immune system are mainly citrus fruits as they are lots of vitamin C. but also include green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, cabbage and carrots, as them a lot of beta carotene contain - the precursor of vitamin A. Excessive consumption of alcohol and smoking as well as a lot of stress should be avoided as far as possible.
Diagnosis
It must be diagnosed what the cause of the swelling of the palate is. Above all, this requires an inspection of the throat. The patient is asked to open his mouth wide and say "A" while the doctor pushes his tongue away with a spatula and looks at the oral cavity under light.
An infection with bacteria (Streptococci) or with the Epstein-Barr virus usually leads to whitish coatings on the tonsils, which are easily recognizable during the throat inspection. To clarify whether an infection with streptococci is present, a throat swab can then be carried out, which is based on the above. Bacteria is examined.
Allergic reactions are mainly manifested by reddening, itching and a furry feeling on the lips or the roof of the mouth.
More information can be found here: Itchy palate
Serious allergic reactions can lead to circulatory involvement, with a drop in blood pressure, palpitations, and even shock.
If a tooth root inflammation is the reason for the swollen palate, this manifests itself primarily as a permanent, throbbing toothache or pain when tapping the tooth. A dental presentation is particularly recommended here for further treatment.
Swollen palate behind the front teeth
There is a swelling of the palate just behind the front teeth mostly harmless. Often it is evoked when one sharp-edged dishes eats hard bread or sweets, for example. But also through spicy, hot food and drinks or unwashed fruit, there may be swelling of the palate behind the front teeth. The swelling usually subsides after a relatively short time. Warm chamomile tea or linden blossom tea or Cool can quickly remedy the situation.
Swollen palate with a cold
Colds, which are mostly viral, can lead to inflammatory swelling of the palate. They are usually accompanied by headache and sore throat, fatigue, as well as coughing or runny nose. Here, physical rest, plenty of drinking (especially chamomile tea, linden blossom tea or peppermint tea), as well as taking antipyretic medication or painkillers if necessary, helps. Most of the time, the swelling of the palate does not last longer than two days with a cold and heals without complications.
Read more on the subject at: cold
Swollen roof of the mouth and toothache
Throbbing, persistent Toothache, and a swollen roof of the mouth, often speak for one Root inflammation. The tooth root inflammation is mostly due to tooth decay which has penetrated into the innermost part of the tooth, into the pulp. The inflammation can also access the gums, and lead to bleeding gums. One takes place therapeutically Tooth root treatment, With Removal of the focus of inflammation and a bacteria-proof closure of the root canal. Since the health insurance does not always cover the costs of the treatment, you should find out about the costs and conditions of the therapy in advance.
Swollen palate after a root canal treatment
Any manipulations in the mouth area, such as Root canal treatments or Operations on teeth or tonsils, lead to light in the surrounding tissue Inflammatory reactionswhich can be accompanied by swelling and pain. Since the palate is in close proximity to the teeth and tonsils, it is often affected and one develops painful swelling of the palate.
Above all else, it helps a lot of cooling, the taking of anti-inflammatory, pain reliever drugs (e.g. Ibuprofen) and the use of local antiseptic mouthwash solutions or the drinking of chamomile tea and linden blossom tea, which are also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. If the symptoms do not improve in the next few days or even worsen, it should absolutely consulted a doctor become.
