What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

Burning mouth syndrome is a condition that people have when they feel that their mouth is constantly burning. It makes it difficult to eat or drink most foods and it can cause severe pain if not treated.

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Causes of Burning Mouth Syndrome

There is no real cause to the syndrome. Any area of the mouth can be affected, such as the gums, tongue and the roof of the mouth.

A comparison to the pain and feeling felt with the syndrome is that of scalding the mouth with hot food or a hot liquid. The symptoms associated with this condition can develop quickly, or they can develop over a period of time, increasing in severity.

Symptoms

There are a few things you can look for if you suspect that you have burning mouth syndrome. The first is an intense burning sensation that suddenly occurs.

Most of the time, it will begin on the tongue. However, it could also start on the lips or the roof of the mouth before transferring to others areas that include the gums. The throat could also be affected. Another symptom is dryness in the mouth.

This could be accompanied by increased thirst. Cold beverages might feel good in the mouth as it can soothe the burning sensation. It’s advised not to drink or eat things that are warm or hot as this could only make the mouth burn more.

You might notice a metallic taste in your mouth. There could also be a bitter taste. Some of the things that you do eat might taste different or you might notice a loss of taste altogether.

This is usually from the burning sensation that is felt in the mouth. There are various patterns that you might notice from burning mouth syndrome. It could happen every day.

The symptoms are often seen mildly in the morning and slowly become worse during the day, especially if you are able to eat. The symptoms could come and go, sometimes skipping a day or two before coming back to last an entire day.

Some people see the symptoms last for a few months while others have seen them last for years. There are some who have seen the symptoms go away on their own, but most people who experience this condition seek treatment from a doctor.

Treatment

Any time that you notice a burning sensation that is not what you normally feel in the mouth, you need to alert your doctor or dentist. Some oral conditions can cause the syndrome, or you might experience it because of a vitamin deficiency, especially if there is a lack of vitamin B in the diet.

At times, medications can cause burning sensations in the mouth. Your dentist or doctor will be able to look at the mouth and talk with you about your daily habits to determine what is likely causing the symptoms that you are experiencing.

The removal of medications, stress and other items from your day could help in treating burning mouth syndrome. There are also a few medications that the doctor or dentist can try to provide pain relief.

Shumway Dental Care is accepting new patients and would love to be your Chandler dentist. Call our office today for an appointment. We look forward to meeting you!