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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSymptoms of burning mouth syndrome include:
- A burning sensation that may affect your tongue, lips, gums, palate, throat or whole mouth
- A tingling or numb sensation in your mouth or on the tip of your tongue
- Mouth pain that worsens as the day progresses
- A sensation of dry mouth
- Increased thirst
- Sore mouth
- Loss of taste
- Taste changes, such as a bitter or metallic taste
The pain from burning mouth syndrome typically has several different patterns. It may occur every day, with little pain when you wake but becoming worse as the day progresses. Or it may start as soon as you wake up and last all day. Or pain may come and go, and you may even have some entirely pain-free days.
Whatever pattern of mouth pain you have, burning mouth syndrome may last for years. In some cases, though, symptoms may suddenly go away on their own or become less frequent. Burning mouth syndrome usually doesn't cause any noticeable physical changes to your tongue or mouth.
When to see a doctor
If you have pain or soreness of your tongue, lips, gums or other areas of your mouth, see your doctor or dentist as soon as possible. They may need to work together to help pinpoint a cause and develop an effective treatment plan.
- 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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