Burning mouth syndrome

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Burning mouth syndrome causes chronic burning pain in your mouth. The pain from burning mouth syndrome may affect your tongue, gums, lips, inside of your cheeks, roof of your mouth, or widespread areas of your whole mouth. The pain can be severe, as if you scalded your mouth.

Unfortunately, the cause of burning mouth syndrome often can't be determined. Although that makes treatment more difficult, don't despair. By working closely with your health care team, you can usually get burning mouth syndrome under control.

Other names for burning mouth syndrome include scalded mouth syndrome, burning tongue syndrome, burning lips syndrome, glossodynia and stomatodynia.

References
  1. 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.
  2. Burning mouth syndrome. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/Burning/BurningMouthSyndrome.htm. Accessed May 10, 2010.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Klasser GD, et al. Burning mouth syndrome: Recognition, understanding, and management. Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Clinics of North America. 2008;20:255.
  6. 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.
  7. Drage LA, et al. Burning mouth syndrome. Dermatologic Clinics. 2003;21:135.
  8. 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.
DS00462 July 17, 2010

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