Burning sensation in mouth

Burning mouth describes stinging, heat, or rawness affecting the tongue, lips, palate, or several oral surfaces without necessarily showing a visible wound. The pattern may be constant or fluctuate and can occur with dryness, altered taste, redness, or sensitivity to foods.

A dentist checks the lining, saliva flow, teeth, dentures, medicines, diet, and medical history. Testing may be considered when the examination suggests causes such as fungal infection, nutritional deficiency, blood-sugar problems, reflux, allergy, or neuropathic pain.

Arrange assessment if burning persists, recurs, affects eating, or comes with sores, white or red patches, swelling, numbness, weight loss, or difficulty swallowing. Sudden tongue or throat swelling with breathing difficulty is an emergency.

Avoid tobacco, alcohol-containing rinses, very hot foods, and products that clearly trigger symptoms. Sip water, use a humidifier if air is dry, and do not start supplements or antifungal treatment without identifying the cause.