Burning mouth syndrome
Burning Mouth Syndrome: An Overview
Burning Mouth Syndrome is a frustrating and often misunderstood disorder that affects many individuals. We aim to educate and guide you on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options for this condition.
1. Introduction
- Definition: Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a chronic condition characterized by a burning or scalding sensation in the mouth, often accompanied by taste abnormalities and dry mouth.
- Prevalence: BMS primarily affects middle-aged to older adults, particularly women, although individuals of any age or gender can develop it.
- Impact: BMS can significantly impair an individual's quality of life by interfering with eating, speaking, and drinking. It can also cause emotional distress.
2. Causes
- Primary BMS: The exact cause of primary BMS is unknown, but it is believed to result from dysfunction in the nerves responsible for oral sensation.
- Secondary BMS: This form of BMS can be attributed to underlying conditions, such as nutritional deficiencies, oral infections, hormonal imbalances, acid reflux, medication side effects, or psychological factors.
3. Symptoms
- Burning sensation: Patients experience a burning or scalding feeling, typically affecting the tongue, lips, gums, roof of the mouth, or the entire mouth.
- Altered taste: Many patients report changes in taste perception, such as a metallic taste or a complete loss of taste.
- Dry mouth: BMS can often be accompanied by a persistent feeling of dryness in the mouth, known as xerostomia.
- Oral discomfort: Some individuals may also experience heightened sensitivity to certain foods, mouth ulcers, or a general feeling of oral irritation.
4. Diagnosis
- Medical history and physical examination: Our team will thoroughly evaluate your medical history, symptoms, and perform a comprehensive examination of your mouth.
- Laboratory tests: Blood tests may be conducted to identify underlying causes such as nutritional deficiencies or hormonal imbalances.
- Oral swabs or biopsies: In some cases, a swab or biopsy may be taken to rule out oral infections or other oral health conditions.
5. Treatment
- Multidisciplinary approach: Depending on the underlying cause, a team of healthcare professionals may be involved, including dentists, psychologists, and nutritionists.
- Symptomatic relief: Treatment options may include medication to alleviate pain, mouth rinses or gels to alleviate dryness, or oral devices to modify sensations.
- Identifying triggers: Working closely with our team, we will help you identify potential triggers and make necessary lifestyle adjustments to manage symptoms effectively.
- Emotional support: Coping with the frustration and discomfort associated with BMS can be challenging. Our team is dedicated to providing necessary emotional support throughout your treatment journey.
6. Conclusion
Burning Mouth Syndrome can be a distressing and complex condition to manage. At Dr. Seejo George's practice, we are committed to offering you personalized care and comprehensive treatment options to alleviate your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards finding relief from Burning Mouth Syndrome.
