Burning Mouth Syndrome

Primary burning mouth syndrome is thought to involve nerves that control pain and taste. Secondary burning mouth symptoms can be linked with grinding or clenching, dry mouth, nutritional deficiency, infection, acid reflux, hormonal changes, allergies or certain medicines.

The pain can be constant each day or build as the day goes on. Many people find that eating or drinking reduces the pain, even though the condition itself may last months or years.

Secondary symptoms are associated with jaw clenching or tooth grinding, depression, diabetes or thyroid-related hormonal change, dry mouth, blood-pressure medicines, low vitamin B or iron, yeast infection and acid reflux.

Diagnosis includes a review of medical history and an examination of the mouth. Blood tests, oral swabs, allergy tests, salivary-flow testing, biopsy or imaging may help identify other causes of mouth burning.

When there is a secondary cause, treating that cause can resolve the symptoms. Pain control and dry-mouth relief may also be used, while a medicine that triggers the problem may be changed.

Cold drinks, ice chips and sugar-free gum can ease pain. Tobacco, hot or spicy foods, alcohol, alcohol-containing mouthwash and acidic citrus products can irritate the mouth.

Burning mouth syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because the mouth may look normal. Its symptoms may continue for months or years, and another condition can cause secondary burning symptoms.

Sip a cold beverage, suck ice chips or chew sugar-free gum for relief. Avoid tobacco, hot or spicy food, alcohol, alcohol-containing mouthwash and acidic citrus products when they irritate the mouth.