Most people have never heard of Burning Mouth Syndrome. However, it is a painful oral conditions which affects many people all over, no matter the age.
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a complex, vexing condition in which a burning pain occurs that may involve your tongue, lips, or widespread areas of your whole mouth, without any obvious reason. The disorder has long been associated with a variety of other conditions - including menopause, psychological problems, nutritional deficiencies, and disorders of the mouth, such as oral thrush and dry mouth (xerostomia).
Some researchers have suggested dysfunctional or damaged nerves as a possible cause. But the exact cause of burning mouth syndrome is often difficult to pin down, and pain may continue for months or years.
Treatment of BMS is highly individualized and depends on your particular signs and symptoms and on the underlying cause or causes, if they can be identified. Most people with it can control their symptoms through tailored treatment plans.
Other names sometimes used include scalded mouth syndrome, burning tongue syndrome, burning lips syndrome, glossodynia, and stomatodynia. The main symptom is a burning sensation involving your tongue, lips, gums, palate, throat, or widespread areas of your whole mouth.
People with the syndrome may describe the sensation in the affected areas as hot or scalded, as if they had been burned with a hot liquid. Other symptoms may include dry mouth, soreness, tingling or numbing sensations on the tip of your tongue, or a bitter and metallic taste.
Some people don't wake up with mouth pain, but find that the pain intensifies during the day and into the evening. Some have constant daily soreness, while others feel it on and off throughout the day and may even have periods in which they feel nothing at all.
This affects women seven times as often as men. It generally occurs in middle-aged or older adults, but it may occur in younger people as well.
The possible causes are many and complex. Each of the following possible causes applies to only a portion of all people who complain of a burning mouth.
Many people have multiple causes. Identifying all of the causes is important so that your doctor can develop a treatment plan tailored for you.
Possible causes include Dry Mouth. This condition can be related to use of certain medications, including tricyclic antidepressants, central nervous system depressants, lithium, diuretics and medications used to treat high blood pressure.
It can also occur with aging, or Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes both dry mouth and dry eyes. Oral yeast infection (thrush) is a common cause of it that may also occur with other causes, such as diabetes, denture use, and certain medications.
Geographic tongue, a condition that causes a dry mouth and a sore, patchy tongue, also may be associated with BMS. Emotional disorders, such as anxiety and depression, are often associated with it, as is an extreme fear of cancer.
Although these problems can cause it, they may also result from it. Being deficient in nutrients, such as iron, zinc, folate (vitamin B-9), thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), pyridoxine (vitamin B-6) and cobalamin (vitamin B-12), may affect your oral tissues and cause this problem.
These deficiencies can also lead to vitamin deficiency anemia. Dentures may place stress on some of the muscles and tissues.
The materials used in dentures also may irritate the tissues. Damage to nerves that control taste and pain in the tongue may also result in this strange condition.
Often, more than one cause is present. Despite careful evaluation, doctors are sometimes unable to find the cause of symptoms.
If you have persistent pain or soreness in your tongue, lips, gums, or other areas of your mouth, see your doctor. Your doctor can search for the possible cause or causes to guide treatment.
Your doctor will review your medical history, examine your oral area, and ask you to describe your symptoms, your oral habits, and your oral care routine. In addition, he or she will likely perform a general medical examination, looking for signs of any associated conditions.
As part of the diagnostic process, you may undergo some tests. If you feel any of these symptoms, talk to a medical professional immediately.
Author Resource:-
Jack Landry is a formal dental hygienist and has authored hundreds of articles relating to dental practice and procedures, and recommends this Implant Dentist in Bakersfield, CA.
Contact Info:
Jack R. Landry
JackRLandry@gmail.com
http://www. bakersfieldsmiledesign.com
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