What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

Burning mouth syndrome is the name for burning pain in your mouth that doesn’t have a known cause. Most often, the pain is on the tip of your tongue or roof of your mouth. But sometimes it’s in the front of your mouth or on the inner part of your lips. It often lasts for many years.

About a third of people who have burning mouth syndrome say it started after some kind of dental work, an illness, or a course of medication. But most can’t link it to any unusual event.

Symptom of Burning Mouth Syndrome

If you have burning mouth syndrome, your mouth can feel like you just drank hot coffee or had some hot soup. It feels different for each person. In general, burning mouth syndrome symptoms can include:

Burning feeling on the tongue, roof of the mouth, gums, inside of the cheeks, and in the back of the throat, which may be relieved with eating or drinking

• Numbness or tingling of the tongue, which can come and go
• Trouble swallowing
• Dry mouth
• Sore throat
• Changes in taste, such as a bad taste of metal in your mouth

The pain may get worse throughout the day. If the burning doesn’t go away or gets worse, see your dentist or doctor.

Causes of Burning Mouth Syndrome

The exact cause for BMS is unknown. Cases have been linked to:

• Nerve damage
• A dental procedure
• Nutritional deficiency (such as iron, zinc, or some B vitamins)
• Menopause or other hormonal changes
• Certain medicines (such as ACE inhibitors) used to treat high blood pressure
• Extreme allergic reactions
• Health conditions that alter taste or saliva production
• Oral yeast infection (thrush)
• Mental disorders (such as anxiety or depression)
• Many times, more than one cause is present. Sometimes doctors can’t find the cause.

Diagnosis of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Your doctor will want to know about your symptoms and when they began. They’ll also ask if you have allergies, take any medications, or smoke or drink often. The doctor will examine your mouth and check for infection.

You may need several tests to rule out other medical issues. These include:

• Allergy test to see if you have a reaction to a product or medication
• Biopsy (the doctor removes a small piece of tissue from your mouth and sends it out for tests)
• Blood tests to see if you have thyroid problems or diabetes
• CT scan (several X-rays are taken from different angles then put together to show a more complete picture)
• MRI (powerful magnets and radio waves combine to make detailed images)
• Salivary flow tests to measure your saliva

Complications of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome is a chronic pain condition and can affect your quality of life. It may take many doctor visits to diagnose the condition. The pain may last for months, even years. Some people have pain every day.

The pain may make you feel depressed, stressed, or anxious, making it hard to do everyday activities and sleep. Any type of chronic pain can lead to anxiety which is known to cause sleeping problems.

Treatment of Burning Mouth Syndrome

There is no specific cure for burning mouth syndrome. The best thing you can do is address your symptoms. Treatment is based on your symptoms, their severity, and the underlying cause. Possible treatment options include:

• Products to produce saliva and relieve dry mouth
• Vitamin supplements (such as iron, zinc, or vitamin B) to provide nutrition
• Ointments (such as Capsaicin) to relieve pain
• Depression or anxiety medicines to relieve pain and improve your nervous system

If your doctor thinks a certain medicine is causing BMS, they might suggest switching to a new one.

If your doctor can’t find a cause, they may recommend trying oral thrush medicines, B vitamin supplements, or antidepressants. These have been found to be effective in treating BMS.

Living with Burning Mouth Syndrome

Most cases of BMS improve on their own. Additional tips for easing your symptoms include:

• Sucking on ice chips
• Drinking plenty of liquids
• Avoiding hot and spicy foods
• Avoiding foods and drinks that are high in acid, like citrus fruit, soda, and coffee
• Avoiding alcohol and tobacco products
• Avoiding products that contain alcohol
• Trying a new brand of toothpaste

Reference:

https://familydoctor.org/condition/burning-mouth-syndrome/

https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/burning-mouth-syndrome-facts