Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Review of the Etiopathologic Factors and Management

ABSTRACT Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by pain in the mouth with or with no inflammatory signs and no specific lesions. Synonyms found in literature include glossodynia, oral dysesthesia, glossopyrosis, glossalgia, stomatopyrosis, and stomatodynia. Burning mouth syndrome generally presents as a triad: Mouth pain, alteration in taste, and altered salivation, in the absence of visible mucosal lesions in the mouth. The syndrome generally manifests spontaneously, and the discomfort is typically of a continuous nature but increases in intensity during evening and at night. The etiopathogenesis seems to be complex and in a large number of patients probably involves interactions among local, systemic, and/or psychogenic factors. The differential diagnosis requires the exclusion of oral mucosal lesions or blood test alterations that can produce burning mouth sensation. Management is always based on the etiological agents involved. If burning persists after local or systemic conditions are treated, then treatment is aimed at controlling neuropathic symptoms. Treatment of BMS is still unsatisfactory, and there is no definitive cure. As a result, a multidisciplinary approach is required to bring the condition under better control. The aim of this review was to discuss several aspects of BMS, update current knowledge, and provide guidelines for patient management. How to cite this article Vellappallay S. Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Review of the Etiopathologic Factors and Management. J Contemp Dent Pract 2016;17(2):171-176.

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Update on Burning Mouth Syndrome: Overview and Patient Management

Critical Reviews in Oral Biology & Medicine ◽

10.1177/154411130301400405 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 275-291 ◽

Cited By ~ 297

Author(s):

A. Scala ◽

L. Checchi ◽

M. Montevecchi ◽

I. Marini ◽

M.A. Giamberardino

Keyword(s):

Chronic Pain ◽

Patient Management ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Burning Mouth Syndrome ◽

Nerve Damage ◽

Hormonal Changes ◽

Oral Diseases ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Burning Mouth

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain syndrome that mainly affects middle-aged/old women with hormonal changes or psychological disorders. This condition is probably of multifactorial origin, often idiopathic, and its etiopathogenesis remains largely enigmatic. The present paper discusses several aspects of BMS, updates current knowledge, and provides guidelines for patient management. There is no consensus on the diagnosis and classification of BMS. The etiopathogenesis seems to be complex and in a large number of patients probably involves interactions among local, systemic, and/or psychogenic factors. In the remaining cases, new interesting associations have recently emerged between BMS and either peripheral nerve damage or dopaminergic system disorders, emphasizing the neuropathic background in BMS. Based on these recent data, we have introduced the concepts of “primary” (idiopathic) and “secondary” (resulting from identified precipitating factors) BMS, since this allows for a more systematic approach to patient management. The latter starts with a differential diagnosis based on the exclusion of both other orofacial chronic pain conditions and painful oral diseases exhibiting muco-sal lesions. However, the occurrence of overlapping/overwhelming oral mucosal pathologies, such as infections, may cause difficulties in the diagnosis ("complicated BMS"). BMS treatment is still unsatisfactory, and there is no definitive cure. As a result, a multidisciplinary approach is required to bring the condition under better control. Importantly, BMS patients should be offered regular follow-up during the symptomatic periods and psychological support for alleviating the psychogenic component of the pain. More research is necessary to confirm the association between BMS and systemic disorders, as well as to investigate possible pathogenic mechanisms involving potential nerve damage. If this goal is to be achieved, a uniform definition of BMS and strict criteria for its classification are mandatory.

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Burning Mouth Syndrome: An Enigmatic Disorder

Kathmandu University Medical Journal ◽

10.3126/kumj.v11i2.12498 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 175-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

MA Javali

Keyword(s):

Medical Journal ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Clinical Signs ◽

Burning Mouth Syndrome ◽

Burning Sensation ◽

Aged Patients ◽

Oral Pain ◽

Mucosal Lesions ◽

Burning Mouth

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic oral pain or burning sensation affecting the oral mucosa, often unaccompanied by mucosal lesions or other evident clinical signs. It is observed principally in middle-aged patients and postmenopausal women and may be accompanied by xerostomia and altered taste. Burning mouth syndrome is characterized by an intense burning or stinging sensation, preferably on the tongue or in other areas of mouth. This disorder is one of the most common, encountered in the clinical practice. This condition is probably of multifactorial origin; however the exact underlying etiology remains uncertain. This article discusses several aspects of BMS, updates current knowledge about the etiopathogenesis and describes the clinical features as well as the diagnosis and management of BMS patients. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/kumj.v11i2.12498 Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.11(2) 2013: 175-178

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Burning mouth syndrome – a burning enigma

Medicina Fluminensis ◽

10.21860/medflum2021_365333 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 4-16

Author(s):

Ana Andabak Rogulj ◽

Ivana Škrinjar ◽

Danica Vidović Juras ◽

Vanja Vučićević Boras † ◽

Božana Lončar Brzak

Keyword(s):

Current Knowledge ◽

Salivary Flow ◽

Burning Mouth Syndrome ◽

Burning Sensation ◽

Unknown Etiology ◽

Laboratory Findings ◽

Chronic Pain Condition ◽

Appropriate Treatment ◽

Oral Mucosal Lesions ◽

Burning Mouth

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain condition characterized by an intraoral burning sensation and an absence of oral mucosal lesions and disturbances in laboratory findings. Burning symptoms usually affect the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, its lateral borders, hard palate and labial mucosa, but other oral cavity sites may also be affected. Taste alterations and a decrease in the salivary flow rate frequently accompany the burning symptoms. This condition mostly affects peri- and postmenopausal women. To date, the etiology of BMS remains unclear. This unknown etiology means that no appropriate treatment is currently available. A large number of the treatments and medications have been tried for BMS, but treatment management remains unsatisfactory in some patients. The purpose of this article is to present current knowledge on the treatment of BMS.

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Hypersensitivity reactions to dental materials in patients with lichenoid oral mucosal lesions and in patients with burning mouth syndrome

European Journal Of Oral Sciences ◽

10.1111/j.1600-0722.1991.tb01035.x ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 99 (4) ◽

pp. 320-328 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

ANNIKA SKOGLUND ◽

TORBJÖRN EGELRUD

Keyword(s):

Dental Materials ◽

Burning Mouth Syndrome ◽

Hypersensitivity Reactions ◽

Oral Mucosal Lesions ◽

Mucosal Lesions ◽

Burning Mouth

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Effect of Oral Care Gel for Burning Mouth Syndrome in a Patient with Hepatitis C: A Case Report

Case Reports in Gastroenterology ◽

10.1159/000479495 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 480-487 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yumiko Nagao ◽

Yuji Kawahigashi ◽

Kanae Kimura ◽

Michio Sata

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C ◽

Oral Care ◽

Depressive Mood ◽

Virologic Response ◽

Burning Mouth Syndrome ◽

Burning Sensation ◽

Therapeutic Effects ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Long Term Follow Up ◽

Burning Mouth

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a burning sensation in the mouth with no underlying dental or medical cause. To date, there is no satisfactory treatment for BMS. Herein, we present the case of a 42-year-old female presenting with hepatitis C virus infection along with BMS. Despite two interferon therapies and a sustained virologic response, the discomfort in her oral mucosa persisted. At the age of 51, the patient complained of burning sensation and tingling pain in the tongue; a thin layer of REFRECARE-H®, an oral care gel (therapeutic dentifrice), was applied on the oral membrane after each meal for 60 days. Application of REFRECARE-H® decreased the various symptoms including tingling pain, oral discomfort, breath odor, sleep disorder, depressive mood, and jitteriness. The improvement in quality of life continued for 30 days after application of the gel. These findings indicate that REFRECARE-H® may be effective in reducing the symptoms associated with BMS. Long-term follow-up studies with larger number of patients are required to elucidate the therapeutic effects of this gel.

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Prevalence of Bruxism and Oral Lesions in Psychiatric Patients-A Survey

International Journal of Medical and Dental Sciences ◽

10.18311/ijmds/2012/18694 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 28

Author(s):

H. Kaur ◽

Swati . ◽

N. Puri ◽

A. Vashist ◽

H. P. Singh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oral Lichen Planus ◽

Psychiatric Patients ◽

Burning Mouth Syndrome ◽

Control Group ◽

Oral Lesions ◽

Psychosomatic Disorders ◽

Dental Examination ◽

Oral Mucosal Lesions ◽

Mucosal Lesions ◽

Oral Lichen

As oral cavity is an integral part of general health, persistent and unrelenting stress often becomes a danger affecting the oral health and overall health causing various psychosomatic disorders. Present study aimed to determine the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions and bruxism in psychiatric patients dependent on psychotropic drugs. Dental examination was done and questionnaire administered to 150 psychiatric patients and 150 control participants. In dental examination recurrent apthous stomatitis, burning mouth syndrome, oral lichen planus, bruxism, temporomandibular disorders were evaluated. Results showed that psychiatric patients had higher prevalence of bruxism, oral mucosal lesions in general, than the control group.

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Burning Mouth Syndrome: Aetiopathogenesis and Principles of Management

Pain Research and Management ◽

10.1155/2017/1926269 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

L. Feller ◽

J. Fourie ◽

M. Bouckaert ◽

R. A. G. Khammissa ◽

R. Ballyram ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Current Knowledge ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Short Review ◽

Burning Mouth Syndrome ◽

Normal Person ◽

Effective Management ◽

Psychiatric Intervention ◽

Burning Mouth ◽

Oral Condition

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic debilitating oral condition characterised by a burning sensation of the oral mucosa in an otherwise apparently normal person. Its aetiology and pathogenesis are obscure, but both psychogenic factors and peripheral and central neuropathies appear to be implicated. There is no cure for BMS, and treatment with either local or systemic medications focuses on the relief of symptoms and on improving quality of life. In recalcitrant cases, psychological/psychiatric intervention may be helpful. In order to improve treatment outcomes, a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this syndrome might provide a basis for the development of more effective management strategies. In this short review, we discuss current knowledge of the diagnosis, aetiopathogenesis, and management of BMS.

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Differences in Somatosensory Function During Premenopause and Early and Late Postmenopause in Patients With Burning Mouth Syndrome

10.21203/rs.3.rs-421114/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Kana Ozasa ◽

Noboru Noma ◽

Kosuke Watanabe ◽

Andrew Young ◽

Eli Eliav ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pain Threshold ◽

Detection Threshold ◽

Burning Mouth Syndrome ◽

Cold Pain ◽

Heat Pain Threshold ◽

Z Scores ◽

Burning Mouth ◽

Thermal Stimuli ◽

Burning Mouth Sensation ◽

Somatosensory Function

Abstract Background: This study aimed to examine the association between somatosensory dysfunction and burning mouth syndrome (BMS) in premenopausal, early postmenopausal, and late postmenopausal patients, using a standardized Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) protocol, and to determine the predictive value of thermal or mechanical perception by QST for detecting BMS.Methods: The study included 36 female participants with BMS (12 premenopausal, 10 early postmenopausal, and 14 late postmenopausal) and 42 age- and sex- matched healthy volunteers (21 premenopausal, 10 early postmenopausal, and 11 late postmenopausal). Neurophysiological tests were used to evaluate somatosensory dysfunction at the tongue.Results: Z-scores in the late postmenopausal BMS group revealed a gain of function for the cold pain threshold and heat pain threshold (Z=2.08 and 3.38, respectively). In the multiple regression analysis with the Visual Analogue Scale as the dependent variable, the vibration detection threshold predicted severity of burning mouth sensation in the premenopausal group.Conclusions: Late postmenopausal patients with BMS showed an increased response of the tongue to noxious thermal stimuli. This supports the theory that changes in sex hormones may affect trigeminal somatosensory function in particular, during the late postmenopausal stage in patients with BMS.

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