Burning Mouth Syndrome - American Academy of Family Physicians

What is burning mouth syndrome?

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a condition that causes pain in the mouth, lips or tongue without any clear reason. People with BMS often feel like they burned their mouth with a hot liquid. They may also have a dry or sore mouth, or a bitter or metallic taste in their mouth.

Both men and women can get BMS. But it is especially common in women during or after menopause.

What causes BMS?

For many years, doctors thought psychological problems, like depression and anxiety, were the cause of BMS. Now it's thought that these problems may also result from BMS. Researchers now think that a problem in the nerves that control taste and pain in the tongue might cause BMS. Other possible causes of BMS include nutritional deficiencies, allergies, certain medications, certain medical conditions, hormonal changes during menopause and dry mouth.

Source:

Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.

Burning Mouth Syndrome by M Grushka, M.SC., D.D.S., Ph.D., JB Epstein, D.M.D., M.S.D. and M Gorsky, D.M.D. (American Family Physician February 15, 2002, http://www.aafp.org/afp/20020215/615.html)