How to Avoid Burning Mouth Syndrome
By Richard Hamaty | Published on August 24, 2010 | 0 Comments
Burning mouth syndrome is an excruciating condition that people should do whatever they can to avoid. The problem with that, as Yorba Linda dentist Dr. Richard Hamaty explains, is that researchers still are not entirely sure what causes burning mouth syndrome in the first place.
When someone has burning mouth syndrome, he or she will usually start feeling it in the lips and inner palate of the mouth. Eventually, the chronic condition will consume all of the structures of the mouth until the pain becomes unbearable.
Dr. Hamaty explains that there has not been any true scientific study done that has shown the specific cause of burning mouth syndrome, although doctors do know that it shows up more commonly in women than in men. In fact, Dr. Hamaty says that burning mouth syndrome affects women seven times more frequently than men, and that it usually crops up around middle age.
For the most part, when someone has burning mouth syndrome, he will experience a cyclical pain that starts with waking up in the morning feeling very little burning beyond just a mild sensation. As the day goes along and progresses, however, this mild tingling sensation will start to morph into actual pain and the burning inside the mouth will become all consuming. This pain continues to increase until it peaks in the evening, around dinnertime. When the patient eventually goes to bed, the pain will usually subside until the morning comes and the cycle starts anew.
What can sometimes make burning mouth syndrome difficult to diagnose for a physician or a dentist is that there are no physical changes to the mouth. So rather than being able to examine the mouth to see signs of this condition, dentists are forced to rely solely on the descriptions of the pain being given by their patients when making a diagnosis.
Because burning mouth syndrome is still not very well understood, Dr. Hamaty says it can be difficult for a dentist to pinpoint what people can do to avoid getting it. The best way for a dentist to treat it is usually to start by ruling out any other factors that might be causing the burning mouth feeling and then eliminating those factors one by one.
In general, most patients will seek the advice of both a dentist and a physician when undergoing treatment for burning mouth syndrome. The physician’s diagnosis is usually helpful simply to rule out any other issues that could be causing the burning sensation in the mouth.
One possible cause of that horrible burning sensation is a nutritional deficiency, according to Dr. Hamaty. If someone is not getting enough iron, folic acid, or vitamin B complex, then he could be susceptible to burning mouth syndrome. To test and see whether a nutritional deficiency is to blame for the pain, a patient will undergo a blood test, says Dr. Hamaty. If a deficiency is discovered, then the dentist or physician will recommend a vitamin supplement to the patient and then wait to find out whether the pain subsides.
Another potential cause for burning mouth syndrome has to do with dry mouth. Having a dry mouth could also lead to a burning sensation, especially for people who are on prescription medications such as antidepressants and pills for high blood pressure. Dr. Hamaty always researches the medications his patients are on when they come into his office complaining of dry mouth or a burning feeling. In many cases, there may be an alternative medicine that can be used to achieve the same results without the side effect of dry mouth. Certain saliva supplements can also be used to fix the problem, and patients can try to drink more water throughout the day as well.
If a person has oral candidiasis, then that means that a fungus is growing inside his mouth. This white substance will rub off on the surface of the mouth, and when it rubs off, it leaves a sore area in its wake. That sore area can become very painful, and many people tend to confuse this feeling with burning mouth syndrome.
The less common causes of burning mouth syndrome include systemic diseases like diabetes, some thyroid gland disorders, menopause, anxiety and depression, and bruxism. Regardless of the actual cause, anyone in suffering with burning pain in his mouth should seek treatment from a dentist as quickly as possible.
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.