Oral Burning or Burning Mouth Syndrome

Oral burning or burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic condition characterized by burning sensation in the oral cavity primarily involving the tongue but can also involve other oral mucosal structures such as lips and labial mucosa, buccal mucosa, hard palate etc. It can be classified as primary – with persistent burning sensation in the absence of identifiable underlying conditions, and secondary – with burning sensation related to an identifiable underlying condition. Clinical symptoms include, but not limited to, pain in the mouth, burning sensation, oral dryness or dry mouth, altered taste sensation and metallic sensation etc.

Several local and systemic factors may contribute to oral burning sensation.

  • Local factors à parafunctional habits - clenching, grinding, bruxism; dry mouth; infections - oral candidiasis; geographic tongue; oral mucosal conditions – oral lichen planus (OLP), BMMP; allergic stomatitis;

  • Systemic factors à nutritional deficiency – vit B12, Fe, Zn, folic acid; Sjogren’s syndrome; Diabetes mellitus; hormonal deficiency and imbalance; medications;

  • Psychological factors - anxiety, depression

For patients experiencing symptoms of burning mouth syndrome, please contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lakshmi Gorgantula, an oral medicine specialist in Dallas offering proper diagnosis and treatment of oral burning or burning mouth syndrome.

1.      Grushka M, Epstein JB, Gorsky M. Burning mouth syndrome. Am Fam Physician 2002;65(4):615–20.

2.      Scala A, Checchi L, Montevecchi M, et al. Update on burning mouth syndrome: overview and patient management. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med 2003;14(4): 275–91. 14.