Treatment of Burning Mouth / Tongue Syndrome

Depending on the cause of the burning mouth symptoms, possible treatments may include:

• Removal of oral irritants. Smoothing rough edges on teeth, fillings or crowns.
• Excluding possible irritants from your diet
• Treating endocrine disorders such as diabetes or hypothyroidism to improve burning mouth symptoms
• Taking vitamin and mineral supplements for nutritional deficiencies
• Adjusting or replacing dentures
• Switching medicine, where possible, if a drug you are taking is causing your burning mouth
• Female hormone replacement therapy
• Prescribing medications to relieve dry mouth
• Antifungal treatment for treating oral thrush

Psychological conditions involving stress and anxiety and those, where no underlying cause can be found, are the most difficult to deal with. In these cases the recommended treatment of burning mouth syndrome involves antidepressants. But complications may arise from the fact that although patients can respond well to antidepressants, they contribute to dry mouth, and dry mouth is also a cause of burning mouth sydrome.

Thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid) is an antioxidant that is tested as a treatment of burning mouth syndrome. Its mode of action is based on the hypothesis that burning mouth sydrome (BMS) could be related to the production of the toxic free radicals that are released in stress situations. Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant able to eliminate these free radicals.

You can also try these self-care tips, that help ease the pain, for the treatment of burning mouth syndrome discomfort:

• Avoid irritating substances like hot, spicy foods; mouthwashes that contain alcohol; and products high in acid, like citrus fruits and juices
• Sip water frequently - Suck on ice chips
• Chew sugarless gum
• Brush your teeth or dentures with baking soda and water instead of commercial toothpaste.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco products, as they irritate the oral mucosa and may cause burning mouth syndrom

In general, prevention of burning mouth requires the elimination of all causes of irritation to the tissues of the mouth. Unfortunately, an outbreak of burning mouth may arise without an identifiable and treatable underlying condition. As these cases are concerned, there is no way to prevent burning mouth syndrome (or burning tongue syndrome).

Do you know that some dental insurance plans with special terms such as UCR (Usual, Customary & Reasonable) or “least expensive alternative treatment” clause (LEAT), could limit your treatment options to a non desirable therapy?

Learn how to choose a dental insurance plan that will help you provide the best dental treatment to yourself and your family.