Burning Mouth Syndrome

“Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a painful condition
often described as a burning, scalding, or tingling feeling
in the mouth that may occur every day for…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Burning Mouth Syndrome Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Burning Lips Syndrome
  • Burning Mouth
  • Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
  • Burning Tongue
  • Glossodynia (Tongue Pain)
  • Oral Dysesthesia
  • Scalded Mouth Syndrome
  • Stomatodynia (Mouth Pain)

Definition

What is burning mouth syndrome?

DotS the definition of burning mouth syndrome may vary. The (United States) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research’s (NIDCR) definition is:

“Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a painful condition often described as a burning, scalding, or tingling feeling in the mouth that may occur every day for months or longer. Dry mouth or an altered taste in the mouth may accompany the pain”.2

Symptoms

What are symptoms of BMS?

In Burning Mouth Syndrome: Symptoms the NIDCR explain:

“The main symptom of burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is pain in the mouth that feels like burning, scalding, or tingling. Or, the pain may happen with a feeling of numbness, which comes and goes. Other symptoms include dry mouth or altered taste in the mouth.

BMS is a painful condition. Usually, the tongue is affected but the pain may also be in the lips, the roof of the mouth, or throughout the mouth.

BMS pain can last for months or years. Some people feel constant pain every day. For others, pain increases throughout the day. For many people, the pain is reduced when eating or drinking”.3

Symptoms Pattern

Can BMS symptoms have a pattern?

In Burning Mouth: Overview – What Is Burning Mouth Syndrome? the (United States) Cleveland Clinic note:

Burning Mouth Syndrome“People with BMS often report that the burning worsens throughout the day. Your mouth may feel OK when you wake up but develop a burning feeling later in the day. Once asleep, the pain may improve. The next day the cycle begins again.

A bitter or metallic taste often happens along with the burning feeling. Many people also feel a dry mouth despite having regular saliva flow. Sometimes, the burning is so severe that the chronic pain causes depression and anxiety”.4

Cause

What causes BMS?

In Burning Mouth Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Burning mouth syndrome usually comes on suddenly, but it can develop slowly over time. Often the specific cause can’t be found. Although that makes treatment more challenging, working closely with your health care team can help you reduce symptoms”.5

Highest Risk Factors

What factors put people at the highest risk for BMS?

In Burning Mouth Syndrome: Why Doctors Sometimes Fight It’s Fire With Fire, dated 10 July 2023, the Mayo Clinic explain:

“Factors that put people at the highest risk for burning mouth include being female, perimenopausal or postmenopausal, over 50 and smoking. Secondary factors that can raise risk include recent illness; medical conditions such as fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune diseases and neuropathy; dental work; food allergies; some medicines; and stress, anxiety, depression and traumatic life events”.6

Menopause

Is there an association between BMS and menopause?

In Burning Mouth Syndrome: Who Does It Affect? the (United Kingdom) Oral Health Foundation note:

“Anyone can have BMS, but it is more common in middle-aged or older people going through menopause (‘the change’)”.7

In Burning Mouth: Overview – Is Burning Mouth Syndrome More Common In Certain People? the Cleveland Clinic note:

“Burning mouth is most common in people in postmenopause who are over 60 years old. This is because reduced estrogen levels cause decreased taste bud sensitivity”.8

Diagnosis

How is BMS diagnosed?

The NIDCR explain:

“BMS is hard to diagnose. One reason is that people with BMS often don’t have a mouth problem that can be seen during an exam.

Talk to your dentist first. About one-third of people with BMS have an oral habit such as tooth grinding or jaw clenching that can lead to BMS. Dentists are familiar with oral habits and can help you manage them”.9

Medical Treatment

How is BMS treated?

In Burning Mouth Syndrome: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Primary Burning Mouth Syndrome the Mayo Clinic explain:

“There’s no known cure for primary burning mouth syndrome. And there’s no one sure way to treat it. Solid research on the most effective methods is lacking. Treatment depends on what symptoms you have and is aimed at controlling them. You may need to try several treatments before finding one or a combination that helps reduce your mouth discomfort. And it may take time for treatments to help manage symptoms”.10

In Burning Mouth Syndrome: How Long Could I Have BMS for? the Oral Health Foundation note:

Burning Mouth Syndrome“It is important to keep a record of how your symptoms are affected by the different types of treatment. Your dental team or doctor will then have a better idea of what treatment is best for you – after all, everybody is different”.11

Lifestyle Changes and Other Self-Help Measures

What are some lifestyle changes and other self-help measures for BMS?

In Burning Mouth Syndrome: Why Doctors Sometimes Fight It’s Fire With Fire, the Mayo Clinic explain:

“In addition to medical treatment, burning mouth symptoms may be eased by lifestyle changes and other self-help measures. Those include drinking plenty of liquids; sucking on ice chips; avoiding acidic foods and liquids such as tomatoes, orange juice, carbonated beverages, and coffee; avoiding alcohol; avoiding spicy foods; refraining from tobacco use; avoiding products with cinnamon or mint; and using mild or flavor-free toothpastes. Working to reduce stress and relax can also help”.12

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Burning Mouth Syndrome?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Burning Mouth Syndrome?

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Links

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  78. Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me This? Episode 3: Dr Annice Mukherjee: Your Essential Menopause Toolkit
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    Burning Mouth Syndrome Burning Mouth Syndrome

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Burning Mouth Syndrome: Overview. Last Reviewed: September 2022. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/burning-mouth/more-info Accessed: 06 July 2024
  2. Burning Mouth Syndrome: Overview. Last Reviewed: September 2022. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/burning-mouth/more-info Accessed: 06 July 2024
  3. Burning Mouth Syndrome: Symptoms. Last Reviewed: September 2022. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/burning-mouth/more-info Accessed: 06 July 2024
  4. Burning Mouth: Overview – What Is Burning Mouth Syndrome? 26 June 2022. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14463-burning-mouth Accessed: 06 July 2024
  5. Burning Mouth Syndrome: Symptoms & Causes – Overview. 22 February 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burning-mouth-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20350911 Accessed: 06 July 2024
  6. Burning Mouth Syndrome: Why Doctors Sometimes Fight It’s Fire With Fire. 10 July 2023. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/burning-mouth-syndrome-why-doctors-sometimes-fight-its-fire-with-fire/ Accessed: 06 July 2024
  7. Burning Mouth Syndrome: Who Does It Affect? Oral Health Foundation https://www.dentalhealth.org/burning-mouth-syndrome Accessed: 06 July 2024
  8. Burning Mouth: Overview – Is Burning Mouth Syndrome More Common In Certain People? 26 June 2022. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14463-burning-mouth Accessed: 06 July 2024
  9. Burning Mouth Syndrome: Diagnosis. Last Reviewed: September 2022. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/burning-mouth/more-info Accessed: 06 July 2024
  10. Burning Mouth Syndrome: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Primary Burning Mouth Syndrome. 22 February 2023. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burning-mouth-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350917 Accessed: 06 July 2024
  11. Burning Mouth Syndrome: How Long Could I Have BMS for? Oral Health Foundation https://www.dentalhealth.org/burning-mouth-syndrome Accessed: 06 July 2024
  12. Burning Mouth Syndrome: Why Doctors Sometimes Fight Its Fire With Fire. 10 July 2023. Mayo Clinic https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/burning-mouth-syndrome-why-doctors-sometimes-fight-its-fire-with-fire/ Accessed: 06 July 2024
Topic Last Updated: 17 July 2024 – Topic Last Reviewed: 06 July 2024

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