What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a complex, confusing condition which causes a burning pain in the mouth on the tongue, lips, or all over the mouth. There isn’t an obvious explanation for the pain.

Menopause, psychological problems, nutritional deficiencies and disorders of the mouth (oral thrush and dry mouth) are other conditions BMS has long been associated with. Dysfunctional or damaged nerves may be a cause as some researchers suggest, but the exact cause is extremely difficult to identify, and the pain may persist for months or years.

Signs and symptoms of BMS vary from person to person as does the underlying causes if they can be identified, so treatment is extremely specific to each individual. Symptoms of BMS can usually be controlled with personalized treatment plans.

BMS is also known as scalded mouth syndrome, burning tongue syndrome, burning lips syndrome, glossodynia and stomatodynia.

Causes of Burning Mouth Syndrome

As stated above, the causes are intricate and numerous. The following list of possible causes may only apply to a fraction of BMS sufferers. Many may have multiple causes. Identifying a cause is important so that with your physician you can find a tailor made treatment plan for your syndrome. Possibilities of causes include:

• Dry mouth (xerostomia)
• Other oral conditions
• Psychological factors
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Irritating dentures
• Nerve disturbance or damage (neuropathy)
• Allergies
• Reflux of stomach acid (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD)
• Medications
• Oral habits (teeth grinding or tongue thrusting)
• Endocrine disorders (hypothyroidism)
• Hormonal imbalances (menopause)
• Excessive irritation (overuse of mouthwash, over brushing of teeth and gums, or acidic drinks)

Because of the variety of causes and the complexity of symptoms, doctors are sometimes unable to find a cause for burning mouth syndrome.

Symptoms of BMS

A burning sensation involving the tongue, gums, palate, throat, or the entire area of the mouth are the main symptoms of BMS. The sensation described by those with the syndrome is of the affected areas feeling like they have been burned with a hot liquid. Other symptoms may include:

• Dry mouth
• Sore mouth
• Tingling or numb sensation on the tip of the tongue or other affected areas of the mouth
• Bitter or metallic taste in the mouth

The degree of pain as well and the duration and intensity varies from person to person. Some have chronic pain daily while others wake without pain but find that it intensifies throughout the day. Still others feel pain off and on throughout the day and even experience an absence of pain.

Burning Mouth Syndrome affects women up to seven times more often as it does men. It may occur in younger people, but by and large occurs in middle-aged or older adults.

Treatments for BMS

Treatment triggers improvement in symptoms for most people with burning mouth syndrome. But the type of treatment depends on the underlying cause. The treatments are listed below along with the causes.

• Dry mouth (xerostomia). Treating the cause of your dry mouth — Sjogren’s syndrome, use of medications or some other cause — may relieve burning mouth symptoms. In addition, drinking more fluids or taking a medication that promotes flow of saliva may help.

• Other oral conditions. If the cause is oral thrush, treatment is with oral antifungal medications such as nystatin or fluconazole. If you wear dentures, your dentures may also need to be treated.

• Psychological factors. For a burning mouth that may be caused by or associated with psychological factors such as anxiety and depression, your doctor may recommend antidepressant therapy or psychiatric therapy or both together. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may cause less dry mouth than other antidepressant medications.

• Nutritional deficiencies. You may be able to correct nutritional deficiencies by taking supplements of B vitamins and minerals such as zinc and iron.

• Irritating dentures. Your dentist may be able to adjust your dentures so they are less irritating to your mouth. If your dentures contain substances that irritate your oral tissues, you may need different dentures. You may also improve symptoms by practicing good denture care, such as removing dentures at night and cleaning them properly.

• Nerve disturbance or damage (neuropathy). Your doctor may suggest medications that affect your nervous system and control pain, including benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, or anticonvulsants. For pain relief, your doctor may also suggest rinsing your mouth with water and capsaicin — the active ingredient in hot peppers, which also is called capsicum.

• Allergies. Avoiding foods that contain allergens that may irritate the tissues of your mouth may help.

• Certain medications. If a medication you’re taking is causing a burning mouth, using a substitute medication, if possible, may help.

• Oral habits. Tongue thrusting and teeth grinding (bruxism) can be helped with mouth guards, medications and relaxation techniques.

• Endocrine disorders. If a burning mouth is associated with conditions such as diabetes or hypothyroidism, treating those conditions may improve your symptoms.

If doctors can’t identify the cause of your symptoms, they may still recommend trying oral thrush medications, B vitamins or antidepressants. These medications have proved effective in treating burning mouth syndrome.

-Anne

Do you have any home remedies for Burning Mouth Syndrome? Comment and share them with us!

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