Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)

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Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
December 28, 2006 by travels

At least one or more times in our lives, we have experienced a burning feeling on the tongue or roof of the mouth, while ingesting hot food or drinking a hot liquid. Most the time, sensation quickly dissipates, by taking a drink of cold water or an ice cube. However for some people, this
very debilitating condition is attributed to other life changes or symptomatic of a medical condition. Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS, burning tongue (or lips) syndrome, glossodynia, stomatodynia or scalded mouth syndrome) is a painful burning or scalding pain sensation within areas of the mouth, including gums, lips, portion of the tongue, inside the cheeks, and back of the mouth or throat. Attributing to this condition includes: Irritating or wrongly fitted dentures, teeth grinding (bruxism), and dry or sore mouth (xerostomia).

A person's ability to sleep can be affected (Some people are not effected during sleep), and associated to cause bitter or metallic taste in the mouth, and mood changes, anxiety, irritability, and depression. Other possible causes attributing to burning mouth syndrome includes: Diabetes, menopause (onset), tobacco, tongue thrusting, nutritional deficiencies (zinc, folate thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, vitamin B-12, niacin iron, and cobalamin), under-active thyroid, cancer therapy (irradiation and chemotherapy), disorders of the mouth (such as denture problems), food allergies, liver dysfunction, some researchers have suggested dysfunctional or damaged nerves that control taste and pain in the tongue cause MBS, reflux stomach acid (gastroesophageal reflux) - bitter tasting fluid that enters the mouth from the upper gastrointestinal tract, and psychological problems.

Thirty percent of the BMS cases (70 percent of cases have no specific diagnosis for the symptoms), caused by a variety of existing conditions, including physchological factors (depression and anxiety), allergies, acid reflux, and medications. According to research, from the American
Academy of Family Physicians, approximately one-third of patients with BMS developed this condition, shortly after a dental procedure, recent illness or side affect when taking medication. According to Dr. Linda Bartoshuk at Yale University (specializes in taste), someone with BMS may have normal tastes or somewhat reduced tastes of sour, salty or sweet flavors, but the ability to taste bitter flavors, which is located at the top of the tongue, is often gone. Scalded mouth syndrome affects women: 50s and 60s more than (seven times more often) men.

Those who have burning mouth syndrome, usually experience a worsening of pain during the day or just after the first meal. Then the condition peaks in the late afternoon or by early evening. The cycle keeps repeating itself each day, however appropriate treatment maybe achievable.

Diagnoses for burning mouth syndrome: Your dentist will review your medical history. An oral swab or biopsy would be taken, detecting for thrush (Oral yeast infection or candida). The dentist or physician would refer the patient to a specialist to have blood test taken, detecting for any allergy, liver or thyroid tests.

Treatment for scalded mouth syndrome depends on the diagnoses. A dentist may refer a patient to drink more fluids or may prescribe saliva replacement products to treat dry mouth, such as fluconazole (Diffucan) or nystatin (Mycostatin, Nilstat). Dentures may need to be adjusted, preventing irritation in the mouth or replacement. Prescribed Nystatin (cream or oral form) to treat thrush. In some cases, the condition can be treated simply by eliminating alcohol-based mouthwashes, quit smoking, chewing gum, change the brand of toothpaste to clean the teeth (preferable with ADA seal of Acceptance), humidifying your home, avoid very acidic liquids (certain soft drinks, fruit juices, and coffee), and spicy foods for a few weeks.

Medication being taken can cause dry mouth or irritate the condition, which may require a change in prescription or reducing the amount taken, if the patient's physician approves. Furthermore, treatments may include taking vitamins (A B Complex vitamin supplement) and mineral replacements (iron supplement), lozenges containing a low dose of capsaicin (a red pepper derivative), hormonal replacement (treatment for menopause), topical rinses, anesthetics, Thiocitc acid, and mental health counseling.

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