Burning mouth syndrome (BMS), commonly known as glossodynia, is a common oral mucosal disorder that occurs in women around the time of menopause.
The disease is characterized by burning pain in the tongue, which has a temporal rhythm of light in the morning and heavy in the evening, and is often aggravated by excessive talking, eating dry food, and idle rest, while the pain is reduced or even disappears when distracted by work, eating, or sleeping. Due to the lack of understanding of this disease, some patients have cancer-phobia, which brings many negative effects to their life and work.
Here, I will unveil the layers of burning mouth syndrome for you.
1.What is burning mouth syndrome? What kind of people are more likely to suffer from this disease?
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a common oral mucosal disease, manifested as a burning sensation or hot feeling in the mouth, a feeling of being burned by hot food; burning sensation is usually located in the tip and side of the tongue, the back of the tongue, the palate, the inner lip mucosa. Some patients also feel dry mouth and may experience abnormal sensations such as sour, bitter or metallic taste in the mouth. Eating is usually unaffected, and most patients can eat to relieve the burning discomfort. In these patients, there are often no obvious abnormalities during the dental examination, and all laboratory tests are normal.
Studies have shown that the disease is more common in women aged 40-60 years, and that peri- and post-menopausal women are more likely to develop burning mouth syndrome and are at a higher risk for this disease. In addition, people with hypersensitivity to taste (supertaster) may be more susceptible due to dense dorsal papillae of the tongue.
2.How is burning mouth syndrome caused?
The cause of burning mouth syndrome is not well understood. Available studies confirm that the disease may be due to abnormal function of a nerve fiber innervating the oral cavity, leading to the development of neuropathic pain. Possible predisposing factors include menopause, adverse life events (e.g., loss of job, illness of a family member, etc.), and negative emotions such as anxiety and depression often exacerbate the symptoms of the disease. In addition, about half of the patients with the disease are associated with sleep disorders. Patients often do not understand the normal oral structure and fall into the vicious circle of “stretching the tongue for self-examination → panic → re-examination → more panic → aggravation of tongue pain”.
3.Is burning mouth syndrome a manifestation of systemic diseases in the oral cavity?
Some systemic diseases, such as anemia, thyroid disease, neurological disorders (ischemic stroke and other cerebrovascular lesions), gastrointestinal diseases (especially patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease) can cause similar burning discomfort in the oral mucosa. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with such symptoms should promptly visit the oral mucosa department or related departments for further examination to clarify the nature or diagnosis of pain.
4.What oral diseases should be distinguished from burning mouth syndrome?
In addition to certain systemic diseases that can show similar symptoms of burning mouth, certain oral mucosal diseases, such as oral fungal infection (Figure 2), lichen planus, map tongue and furrowed tongue, etc., can also show uncomfortable symptoms such as burning sensation of oral mucosa at different stages of development, which should be distinguished from burning mouth syndrome in clinical practice.
5.How to treat the burning mouth syndrome in the clinic?
At present, there is no cure for this disease. For such patients, after a clear diagnosis, low-dose anti-anxiety or depression drugs can be used as appropriate, such as selective application of benzodiazepines or tricyclic antidepressants under the guidance of the physician in the relevant department. In addition, current studies have shown that certain proprietary Chinese medicines such as prozac pills or acupuncture point injection therapy have certain therapeutic effects on the disease. In addition, some non-pharmacological treatments, such as stress management, yoga, exercise and cognitive therapy, can also help to relieve symptoms and reduce the impact of the disease on patients’ quality of life.
6.Is burning mouth syndrome contagious or cancerous?
Burning mouth syndrome is often chronic and can last for several years. During this process, some patients will inevitably have emotional changes or fear of cancer, and often live with fear and anxiety.
At present, domestic and foreign research shows that burning mouth syndrome has not yet the risk of malignant change, and will not be transmitted to others. A good state of mind and emotional stability of the patient can have a positive effect on the recovery or remission of the disease. If you are worried about cancer, you should seek medical attention in time to avoid worsening symptoms due to emotional fluctuations.
7.What is the prognosis of burning mouth syndrome? Can the disease heal on its own?
Although burning mouth syndrome cannot be cured within a short period of time, some studies show that more than half of the patients with burning mouth syndrome will gradually improve their oral symptoms within 6-7 years, and about 1/5 of the patients will have their symptoms relieved on their own and will be cured by themselves without treatment.
8.What can be done in life to help relieve the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome?
Patients may try to do the following in their daily life.
① Actively adjust your mind, face life optimistically and eliminate bad or negative emotions in time;
② Avoid stimulating food, eat more green fruits and vegetables, such as apples and pears, to increase saliva secretion;
③ Avoid excessive tongue stretching self-examination, reduce excessive concern about the disease, if worried should promptly go to a specialist hospital;
④ Adjust sleep and rest to ensure sufficient sleep as much as possible;
⑤ Cultivate more hobbies and participate in recreational activities, which not only distract and soothe the emotions, but also exercise the body.
In conclusion, although burning mouth syndrome is difficult to cure in the short term, the disease is manageable through the joint efforts of doctors and patients!