Burning mouth syndrome is a problem where the inside of your mouth feels as if it is burning. It can affect your tongue, the insides of your cheek and the roof of your mouth, and your gums and lips. The feelings created by burning mouth syndrome are very similar to that scalded sensation you feel when drinking or eating something a bit too hot.

Other Potential Symptoms of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome usually affects the tongue, but it can affect the rest of your mouth. You may notice your mouth feels drier or that you feel thirstier. Foods could taste different, or you might notice you have a metallic or bitter taste, or that you even lose your taste entirely. Your mouth could feel numb or will sting or tingle.

Some people in Bowmanville find the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome affect them every day and will worsen as the day progresses. Others find the symptoms begin as soon they wake up and will last the entire day, while for others, the symptoms will come and go. Some people will experience these sensations for months or even years. Rarely, the signs may go away on their own or will become less frequent. Sometimes the sensations are temporarily relieved during eating and drinking.

What Are the Causes of Burning Mouth Syndrome?

Burning mouth syndrome can be primary or secondary. It’s primary if it cannot be linked to other clinical conditions or any abnormalities during lab tests. It’s thought that primary burning mouth syndrome may be due to problems with the sensory and taste nerves of the peripheral central nervous system.

A medical condition can cause secondary burning mouth syndrome, and there are quite a few that are linked to this syndrome. Possible causes include dry mouth or xerostomia, nutritional deficiencies, or even allergies to food additives. It may also be due to the materials used for dental work. Burning mouth syndrome could be caused by chronic health problems like Parkinson’s disease and neuropathy, and autoimmune disorders. A traumatic life event may trigger it if you are under excessive stress or feel anxious or depressed.

Is It Preventable?

Currently, there isn’t any way to prevent burning mouth syndrome in Newcastle, but it may be helpful to avoid spicy foods and foods that are very acidic and carbonated beverages. It’s better not to smoke for so many reasons affecting your dental and overall health! If you do feel stressed, it might be helpful to try to reduce your stress levels as much as possible.

Is It Treatable?

There isn’t a single test that can determine if you have burning mouth syndrome. However, your dentist can review your medical and dental history and can examine your mouth. Treatment depends on if you have primary or secondary burning mouth syndrome. You may need to visit your doctor for specific tests, or to have medication that could be causing this discomfort adjusted. Other tests that might be useful include biopsies or oral cultures that can determine if the cause could be bacterial, fungal or viral. Saliva tests can tell if you have reduced saliva flow. If you are deficient in certain vitamins, taking a supplement may help.

When you see a dentist in Clarington, they might also suggest using artificial saliva to ease any symptoms of dry mouth, and another thing that might be useful is to try a milder toothpaste such as one for sensitive teeth. Other possible treatments that may be useful include specific antidepressants or medications that block nerve pain or cognitive behavioural therapy to address problems with depression and to cope with the pain of burning mouth syndrome.