Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a condition that causes the tongue, gum tissue, lips, throat, or insides of the cheeks to feel as if they’re burning. There has been no cause discovered for this condition, and there is no way to test for it. BMS will present differently in each case and has been known to flare up without warning. Because it’s rare and the symptoms can vary, BMS can be a challenging condition to diagnose and treat.

BMS Symptoms

As said above, symptoms can be different for everyone. But below are a few of the most commonly reported symptoms of Burning Mouth Syndrome:

• A heightened sense of thirst
• Strong metallic taste in the mouth
• Changes of taste or complete loss of taste
• Dryness in the mouth, throat, and tongue
• Irritation ranging from numbness or tingling to feeling like the mouth is being scalded

While some cases of BMS last for months or even years, other cases last only a few days or weeks.

Preventing BMS

There are a few ways to prevent BMS or lessen the severity of the symptoms. Avoid foods and drinks that contain heavy spices, alcohol, cinnamon, mint, or high levels of acidity. Additionally, it’s smart to switch to a toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth.

If you have the symptoms of Burning Mouth Syndrome, please make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.