According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), it is hard to diagnose Burning Mouth Syndrome because dental or medical exams do not always reveal the symptoms.
To know more about the syndrome, here are some vital information provided by the NIDCR.
Key Points
Burning mouth syndrome is burning pain in the mouth that may occur every day for months or longer.
Doctors and dentists do not have a specific test for burning mouth syndrome, which makes it hard to diagnose.
No specific treatment works for all people. However, your doctor can prescribe medicine to help you manage mouth pain, dry mouth, or other symptoms.
Symptoms
The main symptom of burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is pain in the mouth that is burning, scalding, or tingling. Or, the pain may be a feeling of numbness. Other symptoms include dry mouth or altered taste in the mouth.
BMS is a painful condition. Usually, the tongue is affected, but the pain may also be in the lips or roof of the mouth, or throughout the mouth.
BMS pain can last for months or years. Some people feel constant pain every day. For others, pain increases throughout the day. For many people, the pain is reduced when eating or drinking.
Treatment
Your doctor will help you get relief. Medicine can help control pain and relieve dry mouth.
Because BMS is a complex pain disorder, the treatment that works for one person may not work for another.
Symptoms of secondary BMS go away when the underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or yeast infection, is treated. If a drug is causing secondary BMS, then your doctor may switch you to a new medicine.
Helpful Tips
To help ease the pain of BMS, sip a cold beverage, suck on ice chips, or chew sugarless gum.
Avoid irritating substances, such as…
-Tobacco
-Hot, spicy foods
-Alcoholic beverages
-Mouthwashes that contain alcohol
-Products high in acid, such as citrus fruits and juices
Ask your dentist and doctor for other helpful tips.
Source: NIH.gov