Individuals who complain of a burning or tingling pain in the mouth that begins with no apparent trigger may be suffering from glossopyrosis, or burning mouth syndrome. The syndrome has been described in numerous medical texts and journals although relatively little concrete information is known about the condition.
Burning mouth syndrome affects about 3% of the general population, women more than men. If taking into account only postmenopausal women, incidence ranges from 40-80 percent affected. There is no known etiology or cause for burning mouth syndrome, though some references site a recent trip to the dentist or recent medication usage as a possible trigger.
The most common characteristics of burning mouth syndrome are pain and tingling in the mouth area that can affect the lips, gums, throat and tongue. Dry mouth is also associated with some cases of burning mouth syndrome. Those affected will usually wake up with no symtpoms and throughout the day they gradually worsen. There seems to be no trigger once the condition develops.
Burning mouth syndrome has been linked to several other conditions. Individuals with chronic anxiety or depression are more likely to have symptoms of burning mouth syndrome. Nutritional deficeincies of zinc, iron, folate and other B vitamins have been linked with burning mouth syndrome as has been Type 2 diabetes. Some research has shown that a possible defect in the cranial nerves that innervate the affected area may be cause, though it does not apply to all cases.
The Mayo Clinic Health Letter this August published an article that discussed the difficulty of treating patients with burning mouth syndrome. Most of the recommended treatments are medications typically used for treating central nervous system disorders and include benzodiazepenes, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants. Patients may not want to begin taking these strong medications at onset, but when the condition persists for months to years, they may be the only relief.
The article sites other forms of treatment that include salivary inducing agents, chewing gum, antifungal medications and cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is a specific type of counseling that allows the individual to think or reason past triggers that induce a response from the body, either physiological or psychological in orgin. Also avoiding strong mouthwashes and toothpaste may help and avoiding activities that may irritate the oral mucosa such as brushing with hard bristles or eating crunchy, sharp foods.
In any case, if you or someone you know experiences symptoms of burning mouth syndrome, contact your healthcare provider. Treatment should be started immediately, and cure can be difficult.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 12, 2006 03:04 PM
