Description

Burning mouth syndrome is the medical term for ongoing or recurrent burning in the mouth without an obvious cause. You can feel that burning in the tongue, gums, lips, inside of your cheeks, roof of the mouth or on large areas of your whole mouth. The burning sensation can be severe, as if you have injured your mouth with a warm drink.

Burning mouth syndrome usually appears suddenly, but it can develop slowly over time. Often the specific cause cannot be found. In spite of that makes treatment more difficult, working in close collaboration with your health care team can help to reduce symptoms.

Symptoms

The symptoms of burning mouth syndrome may include:

  • A burning or scalding sensation that most commonly affects your tongue, but can also affect the lips, gums, palate, throat or whole mouth.
  • A sensation of dry mouth with increased thirst.
  • Changes in taste in the mouth, a bitter or metallic.
  • The loss of taste.
  • Tingling, burning or numbness in the mouth.

The discomfort from burning mouth syndrome, can have different patterns. You can:

  • It happens every day, with a little bit of discomfort when you wake up, but gets worse as the day goes on.
  • Start as soon as you wake up and last all day.
  • They come and go.

Whatever the pattern of discomfort in the mouth you have, the burning mouth syndrome may last from months to years. In rare cases, the symptoms may suddenly disappear on their own or happen less often. Sometimes the burning feeling can be briefly relieved by eating or drinking.

Burning mouth syndrome usually doesn't cause any physical changes to your tongue or in the mouth that can be seen.

When to see a doctor

If you have discomfort, burning or pain in the tongue, lips, gums or other areas of your mouth, see your dentist or physician. They can work together to help pinpoint a cause and get to an effective treatment plan.

Causes

The cause of burning mouth syndrome may be primary or secondary.

Primary burning mouth syndrome

When the cause cannot be found, the condition is known as primary or idiopathic burning mouth syndrome. Some research suggests that burning mouth syndrome is due to problems with the nerves involved with the pleasure and the pain.

Secondary burning mouth syndrome

Sometimes, the burning mouth syndrome is caused by an underlying medical condition. In these cases, it is called secondary burning mouth syndrome.

Underlying problems that may be linked to the secondary burning mouth syndrome include:

  • Dry mouth, which can be caused by some medications, health problems, problems with the glands that produce saliva, or the side effects of cancer treatment.
  • Other oral conditions, such as a fungal infection of the mouth is called oral thrush, an inflammatory condition called oral lichen planus, or a condition called geographic tongue that give the tongue a maplike appearance.
  • Not getting enough nutrients, such as lack of iron, zinc, folic acid (vitamin B-9), thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6), and cobalamin (vitamin B-12).
  • Allergies or reactions to foods, condiments, other food additives, fragrances, or dyes, dental materials, or mouth care products.
  • The reflux of acid from the stomach enters the mouth of his stomach, also called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
  • Certain medications, especially high blood pressure medications.
  • Oral habits, such as pushing the tongue against the teeth, biting the tip of his tongue, and clenching or grinding the teeth.
  • Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes or hypothyroidism is known as hypothyroidism.
  • A very irritated mouth, which can be brushing your tongue too much or too hard, the use of abrasive toothpastes, and the excessive use of mouthwash, or have too many acidic foods or drinks. Dentures that do not fit well can cause irritation which can worsen symptoms.
  • Psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression or stress.

Risk factors

Burning mouth syndrome is uncommon. However, the risk may be greater if you are:

  • Female.
  • In perimenopause, or you are postmenopausal.
  • Over the age of 50.
  • A smoker.

Burning mouth syndrome usually begins suddenly, for no known reason. But certain factors may increase your risk of developing the burning mouth syndrome, including:

  • Recent illness.
  • Some long-term medical conditions, such as fibromyalgia, Parkinson's disease, autoimmune disorders and neuropathy.
  • Previous dental work.
  • Allergic reactions to food.
  • Certain medications.
  • Traumatic life events.
  • Stress.
  • Anxiety.
  • Depression.

Complications

The complications that burning mouth syndrome can cause that are mainly related to discomfort, such as trouble falling asleep or difficulty eating. Long-term, the cases that involve a great amount of discomfort could also lead to anxiety or depression.

Prevention

There is No known way to prevent the burning mouth syndrome. But you may be able to reduce your discomfort by not using tobacco, limiting acidic or spicy foods, don't drink soft drinks, and stress management methods. Or these measures can avoid the discomfort of feeling worse.

Diagnosis

There is No single test that can determine if you have burning mouth syndrome. Instead, your health care team will try to rule out other problems before diagnosing burning mouth syndrome.

Your health care provider or dentist may:

  • Review your medical history and medications.
  • Examine your mouth.
  • Ask you to describe your symptoms.
  • Talk about your habits and routine to keep your teeth and mouth clean.

In addition, your doctor will probably do a medical exam, looking for signs of other conditions. You may have some of the following tests:

  • Blood tests. These tests can check your complete blood count, blood sugar, thyroid function, nutritional factors and how well your immune system works. Test results may provide clues about the origin of your discomfort in the mouth.
  • Oral cultures or biopsies. A cotton swab is used to obtain a sample of an oral culture. This can tell you if you have a fungal, bacterial or viral infection in the mouth. For a biopsy, small pieces of tissue taken from your mouth and is sent to a laboratory for analysis of the cells.
  • Allergy tests. Your doctor may suggest allergy testing to see if you may be allergic to certain foods, food additives, or even dental materials or the care of the mouth of products.
  • Salivary measurements. With the burning mouth syndrome, your mouth may feel dry. Salivary tests can tell if you have a reduction in the salivary flow.
  • Gastric reflux testing. These tests can indicate if the acid from the stomach flows back into the mouth of his stomach.
  • The projection image. Your medical professional may recommend an mri, a ct scan or other imaging tests to rule out other health problems.
  • The medicine of change. If you take a medication that can cause discomfort in the mouth, your doctor may change the dose or change you to a different medication. Another option is to stop using the medicine for a short time, if possible, to see if the trouble goes away. Don't try this on your own because it can be dangerous to stop taking certain medications.
  • The Mental health of the questions. You may be asked to answer a series of questions that can help you to decide if you have symptoms of depression, anxiety or other mental health disorders that may be linked with the burning mouth syndrome.

Treatment

The treatment depends on whether you have primary or secondary burning mouth syndrome.

Primary burning mouth syndrome

There is no known cure for primary burning mouth syndrome. And there is not a single way to treat it. Solid research on the most effective methods is insufficient. The treatment depends on the symptoms you have and your goal is to control them. You may need to try several treatments before finding one or a combination that helps to reduce discomfort in the mouth. And it can take a while for treatments to help control the symptoms.

Treatment options may include:

  • The Saliva of the replacement products.
  • Specific mouthwashes or lidocaine, which causes numbness to help relieve the pain.
  • Capsaicin, a pain reliever that comes from chili peppers.
  • Alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant that can help to relieve nerve pain.
  • A medication that is used to control seizures called clonazepam (Klonopin).
  • Certain antidepressants.
  • Drugs that block nerve pain.
  • The cognitive-behavioral therapy to develop practical skills for the management of anxiety and depression, cope with stress and deal with the pain continued.

Secondary burning mouth syndrome

For secondary burning mouth syndrome, the treatment depends on the underlying conditions that may be causing discomfort in the mouth.

For example, the treatment of an infection oral or in the form of supplements to a low level of vitamin can alleviate your discomfort. That is why it is important to try to find the cause. Once the underlying causes are treated, the burning mouth syndrome symptoms should improve.

Lifestyle and home remedies

In addition to the medical treatment and the prescription of medication, these self-help measures can reduce your symptoms:

  • Drink plenty of fluids to help alleviate the feeling of dryness in the mouth, or suck on ice cubes.
  • Avoid acidic food and liquids, such as tomatoes, orange juice, soft drinks, and coffee.
  • Avoid the consumption of alcohol and alcohol products, as they can irritate the lining of the mouth.
  • Do not use tobacco products.
  • Do not eat irritating foods, such as spicy-hot foods.
  • Avoid products with cinnamon or mint.
  • Try different mild or taste-free toothpastes, such as one for sensitive teeth or without peppermint or cinnamon.
  • Take steps to reduce the stress and try the relaxation methods.

Coping and support

To deal with the burning mouth syndrome can be a challenge. You can reduce your quality of life if you don't take steps to stay positive and hopeful.

To help deal with the discomfort of burning mouth syndrome:

  • Practice relaxation exercises, such as yoga.
  • Focus on the activities that give you pleasure, such as physical activities or hobbies, especially when you feel anxious.
  • Try to stay socially active, using the connection with family and friends.
  • Join a chronic pain support group for people who have continuing pain.
  • Practice good sleep habits, such as going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, and getting enough sleep.
  • Consider talking to a mental health provider to learn strategies that can help you cope.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely to start by seeing your family doctor or dentist to the discomfort in the mouth. Due to that burning mouth syndrome is linked with many other medical conditions, your doctor or dentist may refer you to another specialist, such as a specialist in skin disorders (dermatologist), or ear, nose and throat (ENT), or another type of specialist.

What you can do

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment:

  • Ask if there is something that you need to do before the appointment, such as a limit to your diet.
  • Make a list of your symptoms, including any that may seem unrelated to your discomfort in the mouth.
  • Make a list of the personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all the medications, vitamins, herbs, or other supplements you are taking, including the dosage.
  • Bring a copy of any medical or dental records, including test results, which are related to this problem.
  • Have a family member or friend with you, if possible, to support and to help you remember everything.
  • Prepare questions in advance to ask your doctor or dentist.

Questions may include:

  • What is likely causing my symptoms?
  • Other that the most likely cause, what are other possible causes?
  • What kinds of tests do I need?
  • Is my discomfort in the mouth likely temporary or long-term?
  • What is the best course of action?
  • There are options to the primary approach you're suggesting?
  • I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
  • You should see a specialist?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
  • Is there any printed material I can have? What websites do you suggest?

Feel free to ask questions during your appointment.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor or a dentist, is likely to ask several questions, such as:

  • When did you start having symptoms?
  • Do you have symptoms all the time, or come and go?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Do you use tobacco or drink alcohol?
  • What used to eating acidic or spicy foods?
  • Do you wear dentures?

Your doctor or dentist that you can do other questions based on their responses, symptoms, and needs. Be prepared to answer questions, so that you have time to talk about what is most important to you.

Symptoms and treatment of Burning mouth syndrome