i actually burned my mouth on a french fry 3 1/2 weeks ago and go for oral surgery tomorrow because it burned thru the skin on my palate, exposed the bone and it was so hot that it burned and killed bone cells...i have to go get the dead bone removed in order for it to be able to heal over...the oral surgeon told me that the mouth is usually the fastest part of the body to heal... rinsing with salt water is really the best thing to do... it will help to ward off infection as well as make the pain easier to bear (it's great for when you have a sore throat as well)  cool liquids are good, but make sure they are not TOO cold because the extremes in temperature can cause irritation (a burn site is hotter than non-burned skin).  if the burn is not significantly better in two weeks you need to get in and see a doctor asap.  in the more extreme cases, the dr. will prescrie an antibiotic if the palate burn is infected or ulcerated (ouch!...that's how mine is right now!) and there is also a prescription rinse they will give you too (it doesn't have to be an extreme case to get the rinse and the rinse really helps a lot)  in the meantime, i was told that ibuprofen should be taken to help with swelling/inflammation and to stay away from hot/spicy foods and anything citrus/acidic...carbonated beverages can really do a lot to irritate a burn on the palate (can cause corrosion of the skin which is already in not so good shape)

i hope this is of some help to all you out there and wish me luck on my oral surgery tomorrow! (debridement of hte upper palate is what they told me the procedure is called)  <<fingers crossed!>>