Burning tongue syndrome image
Overview
Achronic or recurrent burning in the tongue with no obvious cause. This causes discomfort that affects tongue, gums, lips, inside cheeks and mouth.
Symptoms
If you’re experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms, contact a health care provider.
The symptoms include:
- Burning sensation in the mouth
- Dry mouth
- Increased thirst
- Loss of taste, bitter or metallic taste
- Sore throat
Causes
– The causes can be classified into primary or secondary:
- Primary causes
- No clinical or lab abnormalities are identified. Mainly related to problems with taste or sensory nerves
- Secondary causes
- Various medications which cause dry mouth
- Fungal infection of the mouth
- Lack of nutrients such as iron, zinc, folate, thiamin, pyridoxine, cobalamin
- Denturesif they are ill fitted or may contain materials that irritate mouth tissues
- Allergies or reactions to foods and additives
- Reflux of acid from the stomach
- Endocrine disorders such as diabetes
- Over brushing of the tongue, using abrasive toothpaste, Over using mouthwashes can cause irritations
– The risk factors include:
- Gender Woman
- Aging More common in women who are postmenopausal and over the age of 50
- Earlier dental procedures
- Medications
- Stress
- Allergic reactions to food
