What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a condition that causes pain and injury to the mouth, lips, or tongue. This discomfort usually presents as a burning, itching or tingling sensation. BMS is more common in women than men. It occurs more often in women before or after menopause. It may not be possible to identify the cause of BMS. Some people live with this condition for months or years and never know why.

What are the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome?

People with BMS say that the symptoms come on suddenly. Others say that symptoms appear gradually. Typical symptoms of BMS include:

• Burning sensation in the mouth, tongue, or lips
• Loss of taste
• Dry mouth
• Bitter or metallic taste

BMS can occur at any time. Some people wake up with pain in the morning and feel this pain all day. Others wake up with very little pain, but the pain gets worse during the day.

What causes burning mouth syndrome?

The exact cause of burning mouth syndrome is unknown. The following are suspected as the cause:

• Nerve damage
• Nutritional deficiency
• A dental problem
• Menopause or other hormonal changes
• Some medications used for high blood pressure
• Allergic reactions
• Change in taste or saliva production
• Yeast infection (thrush)
• Some mental disorders

More than one thing can cause burning mouth syndrome. Therefore, doctors may not be able to find the cause.

The risk of developing BMS is high if:

• If you are a woman
• If you are in menopause
• If you are over 50

How is burning mouth syndrome diagnosed?

There is no specific way to test the BMS. Your doctor will examine your mouth and ask about your medical history, and then ask about your symptoms. The symptoms will help the doctor figure out what's causing it. Tests can be done to rule out other potential problems. These tests may be like taking an oral sample with a swab to check for yeast infection. Blood tests may also be done to check for diabetes, mineral deficiencies, and thyroid problems.

Can burning mouth syndrome be prevented?

Because there is no known specific cause for BMS, you cannot prevent it.

How is burning mouth syndrome treated?

There is no specific treatment for burning mouth syndrome. The best thing that can be done is to eliminate the symptoms. Treatment depends on the symptoms, how serious they are, and the underlying cause. Possible treatment options may include:

• Products to be used to produce saliva
• Vitamin supplements (such as iron, zinc, or B vitamins)
• Ointment (such as Capsaicin) to relieve pain
• Depression or anxiety medications to relieve pain and restore nervous system

If your doctor thinks that a drug you are using is causing BMS, he or she may suggest using an equivalent.

If your doctor can't find a cause, they may suggest you take anti-fungal medications, vitamin B supplements, or antidepressants. These have been shown to be effective in treating BMS.

Living with burning mouth syndrome

Most cases of BMS resolve on their own. To relieve your symptoms, you can try the following:

• To suck on ice floe
• Drinking plenty of fluids
• Avoiding hot and spicy products
• Avoiding high-acid foods and beverages, such as juices, soda, and coffee
• Avoiding alcohol and tobacco use
• Avoiding consuming products that contain alcohol
• Trying a new toothpaste

Some questions to ask your doctor:

• Does dry mouth increase my risk of burning mouth syndrome?
• What can I do to get rid of bad taste and burning sensation in the mouth?
• I can't sleep because of the pain, what can I do?
• Will the things I eat cause my mouth to burn? So, what changes can I make to my meals?
• Does burning mouth syndrome get better on its own?
• What are the good things for burning mouth syndrome?
• How soon will my symptoms go away?