Burning mouth syndrome can occur suddenly or develop slowly over time. Permanent treatment is often difficult because the underlying cause cannot be determined. However, the discomfort experienced by patients can be relieved with various treatment methods. This disorder is usually seen in postmenopausal women, older people, those who use tobacco products, those with food allergies, those with dentures, and those under extreme stress.
What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?
Burning mouth syndrome, as its name suggests, is an unpleasant disorder that causes a burning sensation in the mouth. It is a burning condition that usually occurs without a specific cause and becomes chronic and recurring. This disease, which is seen in 2% of the population, affects the tongue, gums, lips, palate, and inside of the cheeks in the mouth area. Patients describe the discomfort they experience as feeling like their mouths are scalded. On the other hand, since the majority of patients also experience a decrease in the sense of taste, it is thought that there may be a defect related to the central nervous system.
Burning Mouth Syndrome symptoms
Along with pain in burning mouth syndrome;
- Numbness,
- Tingle,
- Loss of taste,
- Dry mouth,
- Metallic bitter taste in the mouth,
- Nausea,
- Difficulty in swallowing,
- Symptoms such as dizziness can also be observed.
What causes Burning Mouth Syndrome?
Burning mouth syndrome is considered a neuropathic pain, but there is no definitive cause of the disease. In the primary type of Burning Mouth Syndrome, abnormal pain sensations occur in the nerves related to taste and pain. Secondary Burning Mouth Syndrome, which is the secondary type, can occur due to the following reasons:
- Food or dental product allergies
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Reflux
- Dry mouth
- Geographic language
- Hypothyroidism (slow functioning of the thyroid gland)
- Various medications used
- Oral infections
- Inadequate and/or unhealthy nutrition
- Clenching teeth
- Tongue brushing
- Bad dentures
How long does burning mouth syndrome last?
One of the issues that patients with this condition wonder about is the duration of the disease. The burning sensation usually lasts all day long, is felt at its worst in the evening, but patients do not complain of pain during their sleep. Burning mouth syndrome initially progresses slowly, but symptoms can become more severe over time. The pain and burning sensation can last for years.
Diagnosis and Recognition of Burning Mouth Syndrome
In diagnosing Burning Mouth Syndrome, dentists first evaluate the patient’s medical history and perform an oral examination. In making a definitive diagnosis, the patient’s pain should continue for at least 2 hours a day for 3 months. Again, blood tests and various tests are performed during the diagnosis process.
How is Burning Mouth Syndrome treated?
There is no definitive treatment for the primary type of Burning Mouth Syndrome, but the disorder is considered as neuralgia and various treatment methods are applied to alleviate the pain and improve the patient’s quality of life by controlling it. In cases of secondary Burning Mouth Syndrome, the underlying disease causing the symptoms is treated. The following treatment methods are effective in relieving the pain and discomfort caused by Burning Mouth Syndrome:
- Drug therapy to alleviate the problems according to the complaints experienced by the patient
- Nerve blocks
- Radiofrequency application
- Here are the things that patients with burning mouth syndrome should pay attention to:
- Cigarettes and tobacco products should not be used.
- Plenty of water should be consumed.
- Oral and dental health should be given importance.
- Attention should be paid to the hygiene of dentures; toothpastes suitable for sensitive teeth should be used.
- It is important for patients who have a habit of biting the tip of the tongue to overcome this habit.