Burning Mouth Syndrome

Overview

Mayo Clinic specialists have expertise and experience in treating patients who have burning mouth syndrome (BMS). Mayo provides a structured evaluation of patients to examine every aspect of BMS and help patients achieve the best possible outcome. BMS is a complex condition that often requires a team approach, involving several specialists — dermatologists, dentists, psychiatrists, and ear, nose and throat doctors.

Diagnosis

A thorough evaluation is usually necessary to determine what is causing the problem. Dentists may need to rule out temporomandibular joint diseases (TMJ) or dental abscess. Patients with BMS are often referred to specialists in dermatology or oral medicine. Blood tests, allergy tests and cultures or biopsies are often helpful. Read more about burning mouth syndrome diagnosis.

Treatment Options

BMS has many causes, including medications, medical conditions, nutritional deficiencies, dry mouth, allergies, denture problems and psychological problems. Treatment depends on the cause (or causes, as often multiple factors are involved). This condition can be improved in most cases. When applicable, patients are taught to manage BMS through practicing good oral hygiene, dietary changes and other preventive practices. Read more about burning mouth syndrome treatment options.

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About Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a complex, vexing condition in which a burning pain occurs on the tongue, lips or the whole mouth, without obvious reason.

Patients report feeling "scalded," as if they'd burned their mouth with hot coffee. Pain can range from distracting to almost unbearable. Symptoms may get worse as the day progresses. Despite the sensations, the mouth usually has no inflamed or irritated areas.

Burning mouth syndrome affects as many as 5 percent of American adults. It usually occurs after age 60, but is sometimes found in younger people. It is common in postmenopausal women. BMS is not an infectious disease and it's not contagious. It may last for a few weeks or months, or continue over many years. A single episode is not unusual. Usually, it is a symptom of one or more conditions, such as a side effect of a medication or symptom of an endocrine disorder. However, in some cases the source of the symptoms cannot be determined.

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