DENTAL HEALTH...BURNING MOUTH SYNDROME

DENTAL HEALTH…BURNING MOUTH SYNDROME

Apr 02, 2017 News

By Dr. NerominiFagu

If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to scald your tongue or the roof of your mouth on something hot like tea, coffee, soup, then you might know what it’s like to suffer from Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) with the exception being that while you will eventually get relief once the pain subsides,that is not so for sufferers of BMS. The sensation for BMS sufferers can be quite severe and does not easily go away.
BMS may also be referred to as burning tongue syndrome. The condition is most common in menopausal women but it can affect anyone at any age. Usually there isn’t any noticeable physical change to your mouth or tongue.
Causes of BMS
The exact causes of BMS are not known but certain factors seem to play a role in its etiology. These include damage to the nerves controlling taste or pain, hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, stress, anxiety, depression, immunological issues, smoking, allergies, poorly fitting dentures, and dry mouth.
Additionally, certain medical conditions such as diabetes, oral thrush, and thyroid problems have also been implicated in the condition. In some cases, the cause of BMS has been said to be multifactorial.
BMS can appear suddenly or develop gradually over a period of time. People who suffer from the condition may experience a moderate to severe burning feeling on your tongue, palate, lips, gums, or inside their cheek. Numbness or tingling of the mouth or tongue, a bitter or metallic taste, or a dry or sore mouth may also result. The sensation may come and go or be ever-present. For many people, the burning sensation begins in late morning, builds to a peak by evening, and often subsides at night. It may last for months or for years.
Diagnosing BMS
In order to determine if you suffer from BMS, your dentist will take a thorough medical and dental history to find the cause of the problem. A comprehensive examination of your mouth would be done and blood work requested to check for nutritional deficiencies, any infections, or other medical conditions. Specialist referrals may be done to an allergist to identify if there are any allergies.
Treatment options for BMS
The treatment for BMS will depend on the cause, and would be structured to the needs of the individual. If BMS was brought on by a poor diet, then your dentist may recommend supplements to you. Poorly fitting dentures may need to be adjusted or replaced if necessary. When there is no clear identifying cause, treatment may be geared towards alleviating your symptoms and you may be instructed to avoid alcohol and certain foods as well as switching certain medications.
Some people may find it difficult to battle this chronic condition, and counselling and low-dose anti-depressants may be required treatments. Other therapeutical regimen may include meditation, relaxation, yoga, and hypnotherapy to help some people cope with anxiety caused by the condition.
Homecare remedies
You may try to alleviate the symptoms at home and some remedies include sucking on crushed ice, sipping water often, and chewing sugar-free gum, all of which help to increase saliva production and prevent dry mouth. Also avoiding things that cause irritation to the mouth such as hot and spicy foods or acidic fruits and juices may provide some level of relief.
Because the cause of BMS is so elusive it makes diagnosing and treatment more challenging. Also, the symptoms are similar to other disease conditions so proper diagnosis is needed to determine if the condition is truly present. In rare cases, symptoms may suddenly disappear on their own or become less frequent. If you are experiencing any discomfort in your mouth, talk to your dentist about your symptoms.

For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to [email protected]