Burning Mouth Syndrome

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What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

Burning mouth syndrome is a condition characterized by burning pain on the tongue or lips, or over widespread areas involving your whole mouth.

Burning mouth syndrome affects about 4 percent of U.S. adults. It affects women seven times as often as men. Burning mouth syndrome usually occurs in middle-aged or older adults.

Burning mouth syndrome is also called: scalded mouth syndrome, burning tongue syndrome, burning lips syndrome, glossodynia and stomatodynia.

What Causes Burning Mouth Syndrome?

The exact cause of burning mouth syndrome is unknown. Burning mouth syndrome is usually associated with a variety of other conditions. Some of the conditions it is associated with burning mouth syndrome are:

* menopause
* psychological problems
* hormonal imbalances
* nutritional deficiencies
* oral thrush
* dry mouth
* damaged nerves

Symptoms of Burning Mouth Syndrome?

The main symptom of burning mouth syndrome is a burning sensation in your tongue, lips, gums, palate or throat.

Other symptoms may include:

* Dry mouth
* Sore mouth
* A tingling or numb sensation in the mouth or on the tip of the tongue
* A bitter or metallic taste

Can Burning Mouth Syndrome be Treated?

Yes. Treatment is highly individualized and depends on your particular symptoms and on the underlying cause or causes.

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