What is burning mouth syndrome?

Feeling that your mouth burns as if you had eaten spicy is what 10% of the population feels, especially women after menopause. It is not severe for health, but it isn't enjoyable for those who suffer from it.

Have you heard of burning mouth syndrome? It is a somewhat unknown condition, especially for women of postmenopausal age, when it affects 30%. It is not a painful thing, but it does generate significant discomfort.

Therefore, it is good to know what this syndrome is to go to the doctor and follow the most appropriate treatment. It is true that this disorder is very confusing and does not have a clear origin. Therefore, more than a specific treatment to follow, multiple tips relieve symptoms.

WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE "BURNING MOUTH SYNDROME"?

Let us know from Dr. Joshipura:

• Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic disorder that causes a painful sensation of burning, itching, stinging, or burning on some area of the oral mucosa. Without any associated alterations or lesions being observed and without any laboratory tests being found, nothing strange.

• The most affected area is usually the tongue, followed by the lower lip, palate, and gums, although many patients feel discomfort throughout the mouth.

In reality, the causes that lead to this disorder are unknown. However, all studies suggest that it has a multifactorial origin: psychological and systemic factors interact with neurological disorders.

• The components of some toothpaste or some medicines could be behind this reaction.

• There are cases in which you tend to think that a lack of specific vitamins or nutrients could trigger it.

The causes are unknown, but stress and depression could be triggers.

• In general, some associated disorders such as depression have been observed, followed by stress or anxiety, 

• Situations that can explain the symptoms of almost 50% of those affected.

THE SYMPTOMS OF THIS SYNDROME

The most common symptoms that warn us of this condition are several. Still, the main one is the burning or stinging sensation in the oral mucosa, and in most cases, those affected say that it is "intolerable."

The other signs that warn us of this syndrome, according to Dr. Joshipura, are the following:

• On many occasions, it is accompanied by dry mouth and alterations in the sense of taste, which may be diminished or with a sensation of strange flavors "like something metallic."

• It is also associated with "dysesthesia," a strange sensation of roughness, sticky substance, or small erosions in the mucosa.

• It is also typical of hyperactivity lips and tongue or numbness in the lips.

• The tip of the tongue and the edges are usually the most sensitive areas in this situation.

"The burning mouth syndrome significantly reduces the quality of life of the affected person," says the doctor. For this reason, it is essential, when faced with these symptoms, to go to our trusted dentist, who will do a thorough oral examination to rule out other local pathologies.

Also, adds the specialist, it is advisable to request a blood test to check the existence of anemia or hyperglycemia due to diabetes (sometimes, it may not yet be diagnosed) which can sometimes also be related to this annoying sensation.

HOW IS THE TREATMENT

Being a confusing origin disorder, it is essential to approach it from several perspectives. According to Dr. Joshipura, if there is a vital psychopathological component, the patient should be referred to a specialist to assess the treatment of anxiety or depression.

• But in any case, it is necessary to avoid and treat those irritative situations on lips or tongue such as broken, worn teeth or with very prominent cusps and areas of excessive pressure of movable oral prostheses.

There is no specific treatment to treat this syndrome since there is no clear origin or an exact and known trigger. Still, it is essential to take into account these three aspects that Dr. Joshipura (Global Dental Clinic) explains:

• The spontaneous disappearance of the discomfort is sporadic, and in most cases, the remission is usually partial.

• To date, there is no therapeutic protocol with effective results.

• Giving the patient all the information and reassuring him partially avoids that these discomforts generate even more anxiety. On many occasions, these patients come to the consultations with fear of a possible diagnosis of "oral cancer."