Summary: Burning mouth syndrome is a condition that causes pain in the mouth, often with other signs such as a changed sense of taste. It tends to be chronic, with pain that lasts for months. Dental problems are present in only one-third of cases. It is hard to diagnose. Burning mouth syndrome symptoms are also hard to treat. So this kind of chronic pain treatment is best handled by dentists and pain medicine specialists together.
Toothaches are often the cause of chronic pain in the mouth or jaws, but not always. Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a fairly common condition that causes chronic pain in the mouth. It brings a burning and tingling feeling in the mouth almost every day for months or even longer. It may also cause other problems, like a changed sense of taste.
The burning mouth syndrome symptoms can be hard to diagnose. So people often go to a dentist for chronic pain treatment. But they may get no pain relief, because the condition is rarely caused by dental problems. That is why it is better treated when dentists work with physicians or pain specialists.
What causes burning mouth syndrome?
It is a complex disorder with a range of causes. Many people may have so-called primary BMS, which comes from damage to the nerves. Dentists and even physicians find this form hard to diagnose, though pain specialists can readily diagnose it.
Others are more likely to have secondary BMS. It can come from many things: oral habits like tooth grinding, depression, hormone changes, allergies, dry mouth, medications, poor nutrition (nutritional deficiencies), mouth infections, and even acid reflux1.
So the condition may have many causes. In many patients, several causes may act at once. That makes diagnosis and burning mouth treatment even harder.
What are the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome, and how is it diagnosed?
Of course, the burning mouth syndrome symptoms include a burning feeling in the mouth and pain. But it may also cause numbness, odd sensations, and more. Some people also notice a change in taste.
It is often painful. It can be very distressing because the pain may last for months, which makes it a chronic pain condition. The pain may be felt all through the mouth and even on the lips. It can last for months and even years. Some people may get pain relief while eating or drinking.
The condition is hard to diagnose because it has many causes. About one-third of patients have a dental problem and habits like tooth grinding. In those cases, dentists can help well.
But in many cases, there is no dental problem. Then doctors need to run a range of medical tests, including blood tests, oral swab tests, allergy tests, imaging, and even tissue biopsy.
How is burning mouth syndrome treated?
So BMS is not mainly a dental problem. Dental issues are present in barely one-third of cases. That is why it is best treated by dentists, physicians, and pain medicine specialists. Doctors often prescribe different drugs to treat pain. They may also suggest some topical pain relievers (creams or gels put on the sore area).
Doctors also need to rule out underlying health problems like neuropathies, diabetes, and others during burning mouth treatment. The hard part is that what works for one person may not work for another. Beyond medications, pain medicine specialists also recommend non-drug treatments for this pain. Many people may benefit from avoiding irritants like tobacco, spicy food, alcohol, citrus fruits, and more.
Frequently asked questions
How long does burning mouth syndrome last?
It is a chronic condition. The burning and tingling show up almost every day and last for months, and in some people for years. That long course is part of what makes it so distressing. It is also why a single dental visit rarely ends it when no dental problem is behind the pain.
What can be mistaken for burning mouth syndrome?
It is most often mistaken for a dental problem. Toothaches are a common cause of mouth pain, so many people see a dentist first and get no relief. Dental problems or habits like tooth grinding are present in only about one-third of cases. When they are absent, doctors look further with blood tests, oral swabs, allergy tests, imaging or a biopsy.
Does drinking water help burning mouth syndrome?
Some people do feel relief while eating or drinking, and dry mouth is one of the causes of secondary burning mouth syndrome. That relief does not treat the cause, though. Lasting control comes from finding what is driving the pain, whether nerve damage, dry mouth, medications, nutritional deficiencies or acid reflux, and treating it.
What foods should you avoid with burning mouth syndrome?
Avoid irritants: tobacco, spicy food, alcohol and citrus fruits. Many people improve simply by cutting them out. It is one of the non-drug steps pain specialists recommend. Doctors pair it with medications and topical pain relievers, while they also rule out underlying problems such as neuropathy and diabetes.
Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP
