Dental Talk Thursday | Burning Mouth Syndrome

Dental Talk Thursday | Burning Mouth Syndrome

For this weeks Dental Talk Thursday we are going to be talking about Burning Mouth Syndrome.

An uncomfortable burning sensation in the mouth is more common than you may think.

The burning can be associated with several disorders when present in combination with other symptoms. Conversely, up to 15% of elderly patients may experience a burning mouth sensation without having other visible symptoms.

There is not any visible evidence of the condition, but some symptoms can include:

Long-lasting burning sensation on tongue, roof of the mouth or lips
Dry mouth
Tingling sensation causing discomfort
Altered smell and/or taste

There are several possible contributors to burning mouth syndrome such as emotional stress, anxiety, depression, hormonal deficiencies in post-menopausal women and neurological abnormalities.

Because there is no visible evidence, you may be wondering how it is diagnosed. It’s typically diagnosed by elimination the other factors that may cause burning such as medications, type 2 diabetes, allergies and vitamin deficiencies.

Here’s what to do for treatment:

Eliminate any contributing factors such as infections, oral products and spicy foods. Make sure to use only alcohol-free products with low additives and minimal flavoring. Stress management therapies like yoga and moderate exercise can also help reduce the pain.

It may not seem like a big deal but it can be debilitating so make sure to visit your dental team as soon as possible.

- Rachel Faul, Registered Dental Hygienist