Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic, painful condition defined by burning sensations in the tongue, lips, palate (roof of the mouth), gums, within the cheeks and the back of the mouth or throat. The pain can not be quickly credited to any physical irregularities in the mouth or any underlying medical disorders.
A complicated and inadequately comprehended condition, burning mouth syndrome appears to affect women 7 times regularly than men. Many people struggling with burning mouth syndrome are middle aged, however younger individuals likewise have actually been affected by the condition.
Burning mouth syndrome might also be called burning tongue syndrome, burning lips syndrome, glossodynia, stomatodynia and scalded mouth syndrome.
Symptoms
There are a number of symptoms connected with burning mouth syndrome, most notably the feeling of pain or burning. The pain or burning feeling is usually moderate in the early mornings, becoming gradually more intense throughout the day, peaking in the evening and going away in the evening. Some burning mouth patients feel constant pain while others experience intermittent burning experiences. The pain associated with burning mouth syndrome can last for numerous months or years.
Other symptoms often reported with burning mouth syndrome consist of dry lips, a sore or dry mouth, tingling or numbness on the idea of the tongue or in the mouth and bitter or metallic changes in taste.
Causes of Burning Gums and Tongue
The precise reason for the condition is still not clearly understood. A burning experience or symptom in the mouth can arise from, or be a symptom of, a number of oral and systemic conditions. These problems need to be dismissed prior to a diagnosis of “burning mouth syndrome” can be made.
Some of the elements adding to oral burning consist of:
Nutritional deficiencies: Deficiencies of iron, folate and vitamin B complex have been connected with a burning sensation in the mouth. As an outcome, some treatment approaches have actually included supplements of B minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
Dry Mouth (xerostomia): Medications, Sjogren’s syndrome and any number of other causes can cause dry mouth and its associated burning experience. Sipping liquids throughout the day, using synthetic saliva and/or removing the reason for the dry mouth may lower or remove the burning feeling.
Oral Candidiasis (Oral Thrush): A symptom of this oral fungal infection is a burning sensation in the mouth, especially when consuming acidic or spicy foods, or when the cottage-cheese like sores are scraped from the within the mouth. The strategy that your dental practitioner advises to treat oral thrush can assist end the burning sensations associated with this oral yeast infection.
Diabetes: Diabetics are more prone to oral infections (consisting of oral thrush) that produce burning mouth sensations. Furthermore, diabetics are vulnerable to vascular modifications that impact the little capillary in the mouth, creating a lower threshold for pain. A much better control of blood sugar levels in diabetic patients might avoid onset or aid enhance symptoms of burning mouth.
Menopause: Hormonal modifications have actually been connected with a burning sensation in the mouth in middle-aged women. Burning mouth is among the most common oral symptoms of menopause. Nevertheless, hormone replacement therapy has actually just been effective in relieving burning mouth symptoms in particular patients.
Anxiety/Depression: Psychological problems do not directly cause burning mouth however might aggravate these symptoms or perhaps result from the disappointment patients experience handling their chronic pain. Anxiety or depression might have a role in initiation of destructive oral practices such as tooth grinding (bruxism) or tongue thrusting which can even more aggravate burning lips and mouth. Stress may also cause change of the flow or structure of the saliva, exacerbating the oral burning.
Other: Additional causes of burning mouth symptoms could be physical inflammation from dentures, contact allergy to denture parts (contact stomatitis) or oral hygiene items (Sodium Lauryl sulfate in tooth pastes), gastroesophageal reflux disease, low levels of thyroid hormones, certain antihypertensive medications, modifications in salivary composition, tongue thrusting and cancer therapy.
If you are experiencing burning sensations in your mouth, it is essential that you visit your dental professional as soon as possible to discuss your symptoms and undergo an assessment. Your dental professional will likely review your complete medical history and carry out an extensive oral examination in order to assist identify the local reason for the burning sensations in your mouth. If oral thrush (oral fungal infection), dry mouth, oral sores or other oral/dental concerns are dismissed as the cause, you may be described a physician or an oral medication professional for further assessment and treatment.
Blood work and other diagnostic tests may be required to try to find infection, dietary shortages, diabetes or thyroid problems, Sjogren’s syndrome and allergic reaction. As soon as recognized, treatment is directed versus the cause of burning mouth symptoms.
In the lack of local or systemic causes for oral burning feelings, the condition is identified as burning mouth syndrome thought to be brought on by neuropathy or dysfunction of the nerves associated with the perception of pain and taste experiences from the oral cavity.
Treatment
The treatment for burning mouth syndrome aims to relieve symptoms. Burning mouth syndrome treatments include various medications typically used to alleviate the underlying causes of other conditions, such as depression and chronic pain. Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline/Elavil), antipsychotics (chlordiazepoxide/Librium), anticonvulsants (gabapentin/Neurontin), analgesics, benzodiazepines (clonazepam/Klonopin) and mucosal protectors have supplied reliable relief for some patients.
In addition, topical capsaicin (the natural chemical in cayenne pepper) has actually been used to desensitize patients experiencing burning mouth syndrome.
Nevertheless, in spite of the success of these methods in certain circumstances, there is no universal treatment for burning mouth syndrome that is effective in all cases. Treatment is prepared to meet the particular requirements of each patient. The cost of treatment varies depending upon the medications prescribed (if any), for how long they will be required and whether medical and/or dental insurance coverage will cover all or a few of the costs.
Additional remedy for the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome may be accomplished by making some simple modifications:
- Stop using mouthwash which contains alcohol.
- Stop using tooth paste which contains sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Chew sugarless gum, ideally sweetened with xylitol.
- Quit alcohol.
- Use baking soda and water when brushing your teeth.
- Avoid drinking beverages with high acidity (fruit juices, coffee, sodas).
- Quit smoking.
- Drink water or draw on ice chips.
