Burning mouth syndrome is the medical term for ongoing (chronic) or recurrent burning in the mouth without an obvious cause. This discomfort may affect the tongue, gums, lips, inside of your cheeks, roof of your mouth or widespread areas of your whole mouth. The burning sensation can be severe, as if you scalded your mouth.
Burning mouth syndrome can appear suddenly or develop gradually over time. Unfortunately, the cause often can’t always be determined, however, if you are experiencing ongoing dental pain and burning in your mouth, it is advisable that you visit an emergency dentist.
Symptoms of burning mouth syndrome
Symptoms of burning mouth syndrome may include:
- A burning or scalded sensation that most commonly affects your tongue, but may also affect your lips, gums, palate, throat or whole mouth
- A sensation of dry mouth with increased thirst
- Taste changes, such as a bitter or metallic taste
- Loss of taste
The discomfort from burning mouth syndrome typically has several different patterns. It may:
- Occur every day, with little discomfort when you wake, but become worse as the day progresses
- Start as soon as you wake up and last all day
- Come and go
Whatever pattern of mouth discomfort you have, burning mouth syndrome may last for months to years. In rare cases, symptoms may suddenly go away on their own or become less frequent. Some sensations may be temporarily relieved during eating or drinking.
Burning mouth syndrome usually doesn’t cause any noticeable physical changes to your tongue or mouth.
Causes of burning mouth syndrome
The cause of burning mouth syndrome can be classified as either primary or secondary.
Primary burning mouth syndrome:
When no clinical or lab abnormalities can be identified, the condition is called primary or idiopathic burning mouth syndrome. Some research suggests that primary burning mouth syndrome is related to problems with taste and sensory nerves of the peripheral or central nervous system.
Secondary burning mouth syndrome:
Sometimes burning mouth syndrome is caused by an underlying medical condition. In these cases, it’s called secondary burning mouth syndrome.
Underlying problems that may be linked to secondary burning mouth syndrome include:
- Dry mouth (xerostomia), which can be caused by various medications, health problems, problems with salivary gland function or the side effects of cancer treatment
- Other oral conditions, such as a fungal infection of the mouth (oral thrush), an inflammatory condition called oral lichen planus or a condition called geographic tongue that gives the tongue a map-like appearance
- Nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of iron, zinc, folate (vitamin B-9), thiamine (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and cobalamin (vitamin B-12)
- Dentures, especially if they don’t fit well, which can place stress on some muscles and tissues of your mouth, or if they contain materials that irritate mouth tissues
- Allergies or reactions to foods, food flavourings, other food additives, fragrances, dyes or dental-work substances
- Reflux of stomach acid (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) that enters your mouth from your stomach
- Certain medications, particularly high blood pressure medications
- Oral habits, such as tongue thrusting, biting the tip of the tongue and teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes or underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
- Excessive mouth irritation, which may result from over brushing your tongue, using abrasive toothpastes, overusing mouthwashes or having too many acidic drinks
- Psychological factors, such as anxiety, depression or stress
Risk factors
Burning mouth syndrome is uncommon. However, your risk may be greater if:
- You’re a woman
- You’re postmenopausal
- You’re over the age of 50
Burning mouth syndrome usually begins spontaneously, with no known triggering factor. However, certain factors may increase your risk of developing burning mouth syndrome, including:
- Recent illness
- Previous dental procedures
- Wearing dentures
- Allergic reactions to food
- Medications
- Traumatic life events
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
Complications
Complications that burning mouth syndrome may cause or be associated with are mainly related to discomfort. They include, for example:
- Difficulty falling asleep
- Difficulty eating
- Depression
- Anxiety
How to prevent burning mouth syndrome
There’s no known way to prevent burning mouth syndrome. But by avoiding tobacco, acidic foods, spicy foods and carbonated beverages, and excessive stress, you may be able to reduce the discomfort from burning mouth syndrome or prevent your discomfort from getting worse.
When to visit an emergency dentist for ongoing burning mouth issues
If you have discomfort, burning or soreness of your tongue, lips, gums or other areas of your mouth, you should see an emergency dentist. At The 247 Dentist, our team of expert emergency dentists will examine your mouth and identify whether there are any other signs for concern. Find your nearest emergency dentist or book an online dental appointment. Whether you need a remote appointment or want to visit a local emergency dentist – we’re here to help!