Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome or BMS is a sensation in the mouth that feels like you just have been scalded with hot water. Together with this uneasy feeling, dryness and alteration in tastes can occur. The burning feeling can be localized in one area or all throughout the mouth. The feeling of discomfort may cause anxiety and depression. Women at age when they get to menopause are most common people with this syndrome. The cause of burning mouth syndrome is usually hard to determine.

Characteristics of Burning Mouth Syndrome

There are several mouth diseases that you can encounter throughout your lifetime. To know if what you got is BMS; here is a list of its characteristics:

• The location of the affected area is usually the tongue. In some cases, lips, palate and cheeks are affected.
•  There is a tingling sensation. Sometimes there is more numbness and scaldy feeling other than burning like the name implies.
• The pain can increase throughout the day. It does not disturb sleep but, it can cause insomnia.
• The pain may increase by eating acidic food. It does not feel as strong as when you are not eating.
• Analgesics may not help it. It cannot be cured by such OTC drugs.
• Bitter and metallic tastes of food.
• Gradual decline of sensation of the tongue or numbness.
• Decline of taste.

Some reason why you have Bruning Mouth Syndrome

There are many causes of BMS but nothing is really certain. Everything about its existence are all theories. Some says that BMS is the result of the lowered amount of estrogen and progesterone. It is observed that most women who are in their menopause stage are experiencing this condition.

Here are other factors that may trigger the occurrence of BMS:

• Deficiencies of some essential vitamins and minerals like iron, folic acid and also vitamin B. This can associated with anemia. Blood tests will reveal this.
• Malfunctioning of the thyroid glands such as hypothyroidism.
• Some drugs such as the protease inhibitors and cardio-drugs such as the angiotensein converting drugs like captopril.
• Diabetes mellitus.
• Dry mouth caused by the Sjogren’s Symdrome.
• Gastric reflux.
• Smoking and alcohol use.
• Frequent irritated of the tongue due to poorly fitting dentures, or allergies to the denture material.
• Allergies to certain food that makes the taste buds alter the true taste of food.
• Nerve damage.
• Psychological problems.

Burning Mouth Syndrome Management

Easing up the Burning Mouth Syndrome is possible if you know what to do about it. As of the moment, there is no definite solution or treatment to this problem. Sometimes it will even resolve by itself. However, some practices can lower the numbness or the burning sensation. Here’s how:

• Drink lots of water. It keeps dry mouth away that can be a contributor of BMS.
• Change your habits such as smoking, tobacco use, drinking alcohol, eating too much of spicy food.
• Choose milder toothpaste. Sometimes, mentholated toothpastes feel very uncomfortable in the mouth.
• If you are taking prescription or even over the counter medicine, talk to your doctor or dentist because a lot of them can cause dry mouth and trigger BMS.
• reduce the stress in your life. There are a lot of diseases that are associated with stress. So, don’t sweat the little things. Take yoga classes, meditation and deep breathing.
• Medications can be given to you to promote saliva to help with the dry mouth.
• Medications can be given to you to treat nerve pain.

Keeping a diary of what you put into your mouth will help narrow down the reasons. Write down not only food, but makeup and toothpastes.

Keep your mind happy and healthy. You total health practices can affect your dental health. Burning mouth syndrome can be avoided. Talk to your doctor or dentist about it.

By: Ladan Zinati