Burning Mouth Syndrome

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

Causes

*Primary BMS is believed to be caused by damage to the nerves that control pain and taste. Such as trauma to the face, oral habits such as tooth grinding or jaw clenching, ill fitting dentures.

*Secondary BMS can be certain medical conditions. The mose common causes are:

  • Depression.
  • Hormonal changes (such as from diabetes, thyroid problem).
  • Allergies to dental products (toothpaste, mouthwash etc.) or foods.
  • Dry mouth, which can be caused by certain disorders (such as Sjögren’s syndrome, Celiac disease) and treatments (such as certain medications and radiation therapy).
  • Nutritional deficiencies (such as a low level of vitamin B1, B6, B9, B12, D, Zinc or iron).
  • Infection in the mouth, such as a yeast infection.
  • Oral lichen planus (chronic inflammatory condition that affects mucus membranes inside your mouth).
  • Acid reflux.
  • Sometimes there no known cause.

Diagnosis

BMS is hard to diagnose since most people with BMS often don’t have a mouth problem that can be seen during an exam. Talk to your dentist and family doctor. 

Treatment

Your dentist may help you manage oral habits that contribute to BMS, such as tooth grinding or jaw clenching.

Your doctor may prescribe medication that can help control pain and depression.

Because BMS is a complex pain disorder, the treatment that works for one person may not work for another.

Helpful Tips

To help ease the pain, sip a cold beverage, suck on ice chips, salt/water rinses.

Avoid things that can irritate your mouth, such as: tobacco, coffee, hot and spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, mouthwash that contains alcohol, products high in acid such as citrus fruits and juices, carbonated beverages, mint and cinnamon products, toothpaste with SLS.

Helpful Products to try

Homemade Dry Mouth Recipe: 

  1. Combine:         
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp baking soda   
  1. Rinse and spit throughout the day
  • OraNurse (no flavor fluoride toothpaste, no SLS) on Amazon.ca
  • Cleure toothpaste, flavor free, SLS free, Fluoride free, Gluten free, with Xylitol
  • Remin (very mild flavored toothpaste)
  • Biotene saliva substitutes
  • Unflavored floss, Waterpik