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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor, general practitioner or dentist for mouth pain. Because burning mouth syndrome is associated with such a wide variety of other medical conditions, your doctor may refer you to a specialist for screening and diagnosis and possibly treatment. Your health care team may include a dermatologist, dentist, psychiatrist, psychologist or a doctor who specializes in ear, nose and throat problems (otolaryngologist).
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor or dentist.
What you can do
- Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. At the time you make the appointment for your mouth pain, be sure to ask if there's anything you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.
- Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated to your mouth pain.
- Write down key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you're taking.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
- Take a family member or friend with you, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to retain all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who goes with you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
Your time with your doctor or dentist is limited, so preparing a list of questions ahead of time will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important, in case time runs out before you get through them all. For burning mouth syndrome, some basic questions to ask your doctor or dentist include:
- What is likely causing my symptoms or condition?
- Other than the most likely cause, what are other possible causes for my symptoms or condition?
- What kinds of tests do I need?
- Is my mouth pain likely temporary or chronic?
- What is the best course of action?
- What are the alternatives to the primary approach that you're suggesting?
- I have these other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
- Are there any restrictions that I need to follow?
- Should I see a specialist? Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What websites do you recommend?
In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor or dentist, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor or dentist is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may save time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor or dentist may ask:
- When did you first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have your symptoms been continuous or occasional?
- How severe are your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to improve your symptoms?
- What, if anything, seems to worsen your symptoms?
- Lustig LR, et al. Ear, nose & throat disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2010. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2617&searchStr=burning+mouth+syndrome. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Burning mouth syndrome. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/Burning/BurningMouthSyndrome.htm. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- What is burning mouth syndrome? Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.agd.org/public/oralhealth/Default.asp?IssID=293&Topic=B&ArtID=1141#body. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Mirowski GW, et al. Biology and pathology of the oral cavity. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2979105&searchStr=glossalgia#2979105. Accessed May 10, 2010.
- Klasser GD, et al. Burning mouth syndrome: Recognition, understanding, and management. Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America. 2008;20:255.
- Drage LA, et al. Clinical assessment and outcome in 70 patients with complaints of burning or sore mouth symptoms. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 1999;74:223.
- Drage LA, et al. Burning mouth syndrome. Dermatologic Clinics. 2003;21:135.
- Drage LA, et al. Burning mouth syndrome (glossodynia). In: Lebwohl MG, et al. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Health Sciences; 2010:111.
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