Ok so this sounds like a weird question but honestly alot of people deal with weird stuff in their palate and throat area after going to the dentist. Like, you go in for cleaning or a tooth pulled or whatever, and then later your mouth or throat feels funny. Some ppl feel sore, some feel like their throats closing, or like the roof of there mouth is burnt or something.
So this article is just gonna talk about the different types of things that can happen in your palate (thats the roof of your mouth) and throat after dental visits. Not saying every dentist trip will do this, but sometimes it happens and its kinda freaky.
1. Sore Throat After Dentist
This one’s like super common. U sit there for like an hour with your mouth wide open and then after your throat feels dry, scratchy, or sore. Some people think they’re getting sick but it’s just from:
-
Mouth open too long
-
Breathing through mouth
-
The suction tube thing drying everything out
-
Tools poking the back a bit by accident
It usually goes away in a day or two, just drink water or tea and maybe take a cough drop or whatever.
2. Palate Pain or Soreness
The roof of your mouth might hurt a little after some dental procedures. Not always but if they inject numbing stuff near there or press up hard with tools or the suction, it can feel kinda raw later.
Also if you drink hot stuff after and your mouth is still numb, you might burn your palate without noticing. I did that once and only noticed like 3 hours later when it was already hurting.
Some reasons for pain here:
-
Injections near the upper teeth
-
Denture molds or trays pressing too much
-
Eating too soon after appointment
-
Hot drinks or food while still numb
3. That Weird Lump Feeling in Your Throat
Ever feel like something is stuck in your throat after dental work? Like there’s a lump or bubble back there but nothing’s actually there?
Yea thats a thing lol. Happens cause:
-
Swelling in soft palate or throat
-
Numbing spreading too far
-
Anxiety (for real)
-
Dryness or irritation from the suction tool
Sometimes its nothing and goes away in a few hours, but if you’re having trouble swallowing or breathing then yeah go get it checked ASAP.
4. Gagging or Choking Feeling
If they put trays or molds in your mouth (for dentures, braces or retainers), sometimes they push kinda far back and you feel like your gag reflex is triggered. Afterward you might still feel like that area is sore or tight.
It’s not dangerous usually, just really uncomfortable.
Also if your tongue or throat is still numb, it makes swallowing feel off. That can freak ppl out but it usually goes away fast.
5. Swollen Palate or Throat
Some swelling is normal esp after extractions or deep cleaning. If you had wisdom teeth out, that can cause pain that reaches into your throat and even ears.
If you feel like:
-
Hard to swallow
-
Puffy throat
-
Talking weird
-
Pain when yawning or chewing
…it might just be the swelling from the procedure. Should go down in few days. Ice helps, and warm salt water rinse too. But if it gets worse instead of better, see the dentist again.
6. Allergic Reaction (Rare But Happens)
In rare cases, you might have a reaction to something at the dentist. Could be the latex gloves, some kind of filling material, or even meds they gave you.
Signs it’s a allergy thing:
-
Swelling tongue or throat
-
Rash on roof of mouth
-
Can’t breathe properly
-
Tingling or burning in mouth
Call emergency if it’s serious. Don’t wait on that.
7. Voice Changes or Tight Feeling
Some ppl notice there voice sounds funny after being numbed near the back of the mouth. Like a little nasal or hoarse. That’s probly from the swelling or the numbing medicine getting close to the throat muscles.
Also just keeping the mouth open wide for long time can strain your jaw and throat muscles. So your voice might be a bit “off” for a bit.
8. Dry Mouth and Scratchy Throat
This isn’t a major thing but it’s annoying. Some cleanings or fillings take awhile, and during that time your mouth gets dry AF. Then after, your throat feels scratchy and raw like when you have a cold.
Drinking water and using mouthwash that’s alcohol-free helps. Try not to talk too much right after either, give your mouth a break.
9. Pain in Palate From Dentures or Mold Trays
When they do impressions, those big trays full of goopy stuff get pressed hard into the top of your mouth. That can leave the palate sore or bruised a little bit.
Same with new dentures – if they don’t fit right, they press too hard on the soft parts and it hurts after.
If it keeps hurting, go back and get it adjusted. Don’t just live with it.
When To Worry
Most of the stuff above is temporary and goes away in 1-3 days max. But if you have these things, def call your dentist or even a doctor:
-
Pain is getting WORSE not better
-
Can’t swallow or breathe
-
Bleeding that won’t stop
-
Fever with throat pain
-
Big swelling under jaw or in neck
That’s not normal post-dental stuff. Better safe than sorry.
Final Thoughts (kinda messy I know lol)
So yea, dental work can make your palate and throat feel weird after, but usually its no big deal. Just sore, swollen, dry, or sensitive. It might freak you out but it’s actually normal in most cases.
If it’s really bothering you tho or not going away, just talk to your dentist. They deal with this kinda thing all the time.
Anyway, hope this helped someone understand what’s up with the post-dental palate/throat stuff. Mouths are weird sometimes