Burning Mouth Syndrome: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a chronic condition characterized by a persistent, burning sensation in the mouth, tongue, or lips, often without an apparent cause. It can significantly affect daily life, making eating, drinking, and speaking uncomfortable. Understanding the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options is essential for effective management.

What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

BMS causes a burning or scalding feeling in the mouth, often accompanied by dryness, altered taste, or tingling. It primarily affects adults, especially postmenopausal women, but can occur at any age. Although the exact cause is not always clear, experts often link it to nerve damage, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, or oral conditions.

Common Symptoms

Symptom Description

Symptoms can vary in intensity and duration, making professional evaluation important for accurate diagnosis.

Causes and Risk Factors

While the exact cause is sometimes unknown, several factors contribute to BMS:

• Nerve Dysfunction: Damage to nerves controlling pain or taste sensations.
• Hormonal Changes: Especially in women during menopause.
• Nutritional Deficiencies: Deficiency in vitamin B12, iron, or folate.
• Oral Conditions: Such as oral lichen planus or leukoplakia.
• Medications: Certain medications can cause dry mouth or oral irritation.
• Stress and Anxiety: Can exacerbate symptoms.

Identifying the underlying cause is crucial to providing effective treatment.

Diagnosis

At Ivory Dental Clinic, Dr. Vishwas Madan follows a thorough diagnostic approach for BMS:

• Medical & Dental History: Review of lifestyle, medications, and systemic conditions.
• Clinical Examination: Assessing the oral cavity for lesions, inflammation, or infections.
• Lab Tests: Checking for nutritional deficiencies or systemic conditions.
• Biopsy (if needed): For patients with suspicious lesions to rule out precancerous changes.

Pricing Overview for Diagnostic & Treatment Procedures:

Treatment Options

Customized Treatment is personalized based on the underlying cause and severity:

• Topical Medications: Corticosteroid gels or mouth rinses to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Laser Therapy: For chronic lesions or inflammation, promoting healing and comfort.
• Injections: For severe cases to control inflammation quickly.
• Nutritional Supplements: To correct deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron, or folate.
• Lifestyle Modifications: Avoiding irritants such as tobacco, alcohol, spicy foods, and managing stress.
• Saliva Substitutes: For patients with dry mouth.

At-Home Management

Patients can also take simple steps to manage symptoms:

1. Rinse the mouth with cool or slightly warm water.
2. Avoid extremely spicy, acidic, or rough-textured foods.
3. Maintain oral hygiene with a soft-bristle toothbrush and mild toothpaste.
4. Stay hydrated to prevent dryness.
5. Practice stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises.

Practicing these tips will help you maintain good oral hygiene.

When to See a Dentist

Consult a dental professional if:

• Burning sensation persists for more than two weeks
• Pain interferes with eating, speaking, or daily activities
• White or red patches, sores, or lesions are present
• Discomfort worsens over time or is accompanied by swelling or bleeding

Early evaluation ensures accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Conclusion

Burning Mouth Syndrome can significantly impact quality of life, but with proper diagnosis, treatment, and at-home care, patients can find relief and maintain their oral health. Ivory Dental Clinic, led by Dr. Vishwas Madan, offers advanced diagnostics, laser therapy, injections, and personalized care to effectively manage BMS.

Professional care, combined with lifestyle management, allows patients to enjoy a pain-free mouth and improve their overall oral comfort.