Health Risks: Mouth Burn Leads to Oral Ulcer, Lesion Development

At some point in our lives, we have all experienced the complications associated with burning our tongue or the roof of our mouth. In many cases, this type of mild injury results from eating or drinking something that is too hot for the mouth and leads to a relatively mild burn injury that heals, spontaneously, within a few days.

If you have experienced a complication associated with a mouth burn, specifically a burn to the upper, inside of the mouth, there may be additional health complications that will arise. While the initial burning sensation may dissipate in a day or two, if you notice additional tingling in the mouth in the weeks after the burn incident, this may be indicative of a greater health complication or injury to your mouth. For individuals who experience this additional complication after a mouth burn, the tingling may begin along the hard part of the inside of the mouth. As the complication continues, the pain will progress to the side of the head and is commonly associated with a headache and ear pain.

What may arise as a result of a mouth burn involves the development of an oral ulcer that leads to further infection. For patients with pre-existing history of herpes or other type of latent viruses, the risk is far greater. In many individuals with mouth burns, the development of an ulcer is usually unnoticed or, if noticed, is regarded as a complication associated with the burn itself. Without proper medical attention, however, these viral or bacterial infections can lead to complications in the cranial nerves and lifelong health complications.

If you find that are you are experiencing additional health complications after burning the inside of your mouth, consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible. If infection is suspected, your physician may prescribe antiviral therapy that includes both medications taken orally as well as medicated mouthwash. To optimize the health outcome, however, it is important that your physician start this therapy as soon as possible, preferably within 72 hours of your lesion development.