The Practical Palate: Learn About Your Soft Palate

Most of us take it for granted that we can breathe, talk and eat easily and comfortably, but these everyday actions involve hundreds of different muscles and bones, including the soft palate. Your soft palate is located right at the back of the roof of your mouth and is a flexible collection of tissue made up of muscle, which includes your uvula, a tear-shaped piece of tissue hanging right at the back of your mouth. Your soft palate is important because whenever you eat or drink anything, it blocks the nasal cavity as you swallow. Your uvula ensures food is pushed in the right direction so you can swallow comfortably.

How Is the Soft Palate Different from the Hard Palate?

The roof of your mouth has a hard and soft palate, but they are quite different. Your hard palate is located in the front two-thirds of the roof of your mouth, and it is a bony structure that also forms part of your nasal cavity. Your hard palate helps provide structure to your mouth and keeps it separated from your nose. It also ensures your tongue has enough space for speaking, chewing, and other actions. In comparison, the soft palate is far smaller, consisting of the other third of the roof of your mouth, and it only contains soft tissues and doesn't have any bones. Consequently, it is more flexible.

Can a Soft Palate Become Damaged?

You can injure your soft palate in much the same way you can injure any part of the inside of your mouth. For example, Burns can result if you eat or drink anything too hot, and this can cause blisters. If your soft palate is cut, it may become swollen and lumpy. People who wear ill-fitting dentures may find the soft palate becomes irritated, and it can develop lumps and even scar tissue. People who chew pens, pencils, or other items can inadvertently stick them in the soft palate, causing bleeding and possibly infection.

Other Conditions That Can Affect Your Soft Palate

Your soft palate can be affected by disease or other problems with its formation.

Oral Cancer

The soft palate can be affected by oral cancer, a more common condition in people who use alcohol or tobacco. Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Cleft Palate

A cleft palate is where the palate is separated between the nose and mouth, and without treatment, food can get into the nose, and it can be trickier to speak. Cleft palates can be successfully treated with surgery.

Canker Sores

Canker sores or mouth ulcers are painful sores that look white, yellow or red. If they develop on the soft palate, they can cause problems with swallowing. Generally, canker sores clear up without any treatment, but if yours take longer to heal, then come and see us for help and advice. It is also worth coming to see us if you have any problems with swallowing or are concerned about your oral health.

Most of us take it for granted that we can breathe, talk and eat easily and comfortably, but these everyday actions involve hundreds of different muscles and bones, including the soft palate. Your soft palate is located right at the back of the roof of your mouth and is a flexible collection of tissue made up of muscle, which includes your uvula, a tear-shaped piece of tissue hanging right at the back of your mouth. Your soft palate is important because whenever you eat or drink anything, it blocks the nasal cavity as you swallow. Your uvula ensures food is pushed in the right direction so you can swallow comfortably.

How Is the Soft Palate Different from the Hard Palate?

The roof of your mouth has a hard and soft palate, but they are quite different. Your hard palate is located in the front two-thirds of the roof of your mouth, and it is a bony structure that also forms part of your nasal cavity. Your hard palate helps provide structure to your mouth and keeps it separated from your nose. It also ensures your tongue has enough space for speaking, chewing, and other actions. In comparison, the soft palate is far smaller, consisting of the other third of the roof of your mouth, and it only contains soft tissues and doesn't have any bones. Consequently, it is more flexible.

Can a Soft Palate Become Damaged?

You can injure your soft palate in much the same way you can injure any part of the inside of your mouth. For example, Burns can result if you eat or drink anything too hot, and this can cause blisters. If your soft palate is cut, it may become swollen and lumpy. People who wear ill-fitting dentures may find the soft palate becomes irritated, and it can develop lumps and even scar tissue. People who chew pens, pencils, or other items can inadvertently stick them in the soft palate, causing bleeding and possibly infection.

Other Conditions That Can Affect Your Soft Palate

Your soft palate can be affected by disease or other problems with its formation.

Oral Cancer

The soft palate can be affected by oral cancer, a more common condition in people who use alcohol or tobacco. Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy and radiation.

Cleft Palate

A cleft palate is where the palate is separated between the nose and mouth, and without treatment, food can get into the nose, and it can be trickier to speak. Cleft palates can be successfully treated with surgery.

Canker Sores

Canker sores or mouth ulcers are painful sores that look white, yellow or red. If they develop on the soft palate, they can cause problems with swallowing. Generally, canker sores clear up without any treatment, but if yours take longer to heal, then come and see us for help and advice. It is also worth coming to see us if you have any problems with swallowing or are concerned about your oral health.