Fact Checked
Burning mouth syndrome is a painful feeling the mouth, lips, along the gums, roof of the mouth and the tongue. The burning sensation felt in the mouth is similar to scalding of the mouth by eating or drinking anything that is too hot. This unpleasant sensation happens even when not drinking or eating anything and becomes worse if trying to eat or drink. This condition can last for months or even years.
Indications of burning mouth syndrome
- Dry and sore mouth
- Burning sensation felt on the lips, mouth, gums, tongue and the palate
- Pain that becomes severe
- Loss of taste and appetite
Burning sensation felt on the lips, mouth, gums, tongue and the palate - Excessive thirst
- Tongue and mouth becomes numb
- Tingling sensation felt on the tip of the tongue
- Sore or mouth ulcers in the area
- Bitter and metallic taste in the mouth
- Bad breath and tooth decay
- Tongue that looks normal
Causes
- Burning mouth syndrome can be caused by the sensory nerve of the central or peripheral nervous system.
- Dry mouth or xerostomia
- Oral condition such as fungal infection of the mouth, oral lichen planus and geographic tongue
- Deficiencies in nutrition
- Ill-fitting dentures
- Allergies or reaction to foods and other food additives, fragrances and dyes
- Reflux of stomach acid or GERD
- Medications for high blood pressure
- Oral habits such as biting the lip, tongue thrusting and grinding of the teeth or bruxism
- Conditions such as diabetes or hypothyroidism
Treatment
- Suck on ice or sip cold water to lessen the burning sensation and pain
- Chew on sugar-free chewing gum to increase the production of saliva in the mouth and prevent dry mouth syndrome.
- Perform regular exercises such as yoga and meditation to minimize stress and anxiety that makes symptoms of burning mouth syndrome severe.
- Brush the teeth using baking soda to prevent the symptoms of the condition.
- Boil mint leaves in water, strain the solution and let it cool in the fridge. Drink this solution at least 2 times every day to lessen the burning sensation and mouth irritation. Use this solution as mouthwash to prevent inflammation.
- Crush margosa leaves until it becomes a paste. Use this in brushing the teeth. Margosa leaves or neem has anti-bacterial properties that prevent bad breath and other dental conditions.
- Crush together onion and a few pod of garlic until it becomes a paste. Put this mixture in a glass of water and gargle every day. Onion and garlic minimizes bad breath and burning sensation in the mouth.
- Lavender oil can be applied to the mouth.
- Apply a layer of glycerin on the tongue to lessen the burning sensation and pain.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol as well as spicy and oily foods
FACT CHECK
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1508869-overview
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/burning-mouth-syndrome-facts#1
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burning-mouth-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20350911