What Is A Burning Mouth Syndrome

One of the rare diseases affecting oral health is the “Burning Mouth Syndrome”. This is characterized by a sore and burning sensation in the mouth, cheeks, and tongue. Typically, the disorder is also accompanied with a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth. Patients with this syndrome are also bothered by the associated dry mouth that could be diagnosed for other oral health problems. The common reasons that cause this syndrome are oral yeast or candida albicans, vitamin B12 deficiency, periodontitis, and irritation caused by dental prosthesis.

BMS is a frustrating oral problem that also affects the palate and lips. This usually occurs in older women and it also occurs along with other dental or medical conditions such as menopause and allergies. There are also other possible reasons why people may feel this scalding sensation in their mouth and it may not usually be directly attributed to poor oral health. Hormonal changes, depression, and anxiety could trigger the burning mouth syndrome. Just like how people would stutter and get a dry mouth when interrogated. Sometimes this syndrome is just a normal body reaction that would immediately go away; and yet there may be other serious health reasons associated to this.

Hence, the dentists should be able to make a proper diagnosis of the problem to provide the best treatment for this syndrome. These are some of the tests done to assess the condition of the patient:
1) Blood tests – This is helpful to check for infections and other disorders such as thyroid problems and diabetes. It is also a crucial step in checking for vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
2) Oral swab – The sample taken from the mouth will be scrutinized under the microscope to check for yeast infection or oral candidiasis.
3) Allergic Reaction – Patients are normally asked about any known allergies to medication and food which could also cause this kind of reaction in the mouth. Even dental prosthesis is typically the culprit for gum irritation and dryness in the mouth.

The possible treatment could be as simple as adjusting ill-fitting dentures to as complex as making changes in your diet and taking health supplements. Medications are to be expected with patients who are suffering from BMS due to depression, oral yeast, diabetes, and thyroids problems. Sufferers may also alleviate the symptoms by sipping water regularly, cooling it down with ice, and brushing the teeth regularly. However, avoid mouthwashes with alcohol content and foods that are spicy and hot. If you are not satisfied with your dentist’s diagnosis, get a second opinion from another doctor.