Anxiety, depression may trigger burning mouth syndrome - Causes of Burning Mouth Syndrome and Anxiety

Anxiety, depression may trigger burning mouth syndrome

Oral Health
September 22, 2003

2003 SEP 22 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Burning mouth syndrome (BMS), a painful disorder affecting mostly women, is a constant and aggravating source of discomfort for more than 1 million adults.

Patients' experience a burning sensation in their mouth, palate, lips, and tongue, as well as partial or complete loss of taste, dry mouth, and thirst.

New findings explain how anxiety and depression may be a precursor that triggers this difficult-to-diagnose syndrome. They're reported in the September/October 2003 issue of General Dentistry.

Oral habits of anxiety and depression may include repetitive tongue thrusting and bruxism (teeth grinding), which can irritate the mouth and lips and have been reported to cause BMS symptoms in up to 70% of patients suffering from this chronic disorder.

"Pinpointing the pain source can be a trying task for patients and their healthcare providers," explains Andres Pinto, DMD, lead report author, who states more females in their 20s and 30s are also experiencing this syndrome, often due to stress.

Other overall health conditions linked to BMS include anemia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, undiagnosed diabetes, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalance, and a yeast or candida infection in the mouth.

"If you have BMS, analyze your overall health and note any life-altering events or stressors that occur," encourages Lois Duerst, DDS, FAGD.

According to Pinto, some patients experience relief after stopping their oral habits brought on by stress.

Symptoms include burning sensations in mouth area; dry mouth; altered taste perception; changes in eating habits; irritability; depression; and changes in medications.

Possible treatments include antifungal therapy; vitamin and mineral replacements; reams or lozenges containing capsaicin; hormonal replacement; antidepressants; mental health counseling; and intraoral appliances. This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports.

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