Burning mouth syndrome, or SBA, is characterized by the burning of any region of the mouth without any visible clinical changes. This syndrome is more common in women aged 40 to 60, but it can happen in anyone.
In this syndrome there is pain that worsens throughout the day, dry mouth and metallic or bitter taste in the mouth, it is important to consult the dentist or otorhinolaryngologist so that the symptoms are evaluated and the diagnosis is made, which is made based on the symptoms, clinical history of the patient and test results that seek to identify the cause of the syndrome.
The treatment is done according to the cause and aims to alleviate the symptoms, and can be done with the use of medications or change in lifestyle, that is, through healthy eating that does not contain spicy foods, in addition to activities that promote relaxation, since stress can be one of the causes of SBA.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of burning mouth syndrome may appear suddenly or be progressive, with mainly severe pain in the mouth, changes in taste, such as metallic or bitter taste, and dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, these symptoms being known as the symptomatic triad of SBA. However, people who have the syndrome do not always have the triad, and other symptoms may appear, such as:
- Burning sensation in the tongue, lips, cheeks, gums, palate or throat; Increased thirst; Tingling or burning sensation in the mouth or tongue; Loss of appetite; Pain that increases during the day; Change in the amount of saliva produced.
Symptoms can appear anywhere in the mouth, being more common on the tip of the tongue and on the lateral edges of the mouth. In some cases, SBA pain arises during the day and has progressive intensity, which can even disturb sleep. In addition, some attitudes can favor the burning and burning of the mouth, such as eating spicy or hot foods and tension, for example.
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Possible causes of the syndrome
The causes of burning mouth syndrome are not well established, however they can be classified into two main types, primary burning mouth syndrome and secondary:
- Primary or idiopathic burning mouth syndrome, in which symptoms are observed, but the triggering cause is not identified. In addition, in this type of SBA there is no clinical or laboratory evidence to confirm the cause of SBA; Secondary burning mouth syndrome, in which it is possible to determine the cause of the syndrome, which may be due to allergies, infections, nutritional deficiencies, reflux, poorly adjusted prostheses, stress, anxiety and depression, use of some medications, diabetes and Sjögren's syndrome, for example, in addition to changes in the nerves that control taste and pain.
The diagnosis of burning mouth syndrome should be made by the doctor according to the symptoms presented by the person, clinical history and result of several tests, such as blood count, fasting blood glucose, iron dosage, ferritin and folic acid, for example, with the objective of diagnosing nutritional deficiencies, infections or chronic diseases that may cause BMS.
In addition, the doctor may order tests for autoimmune diseases and tests for allergies to dental or food products, for example.
How the treatment is done
The treatment for burning mouth syndrome is made according to the cause, and adjustment in the dental prosthesis, therapy in the case of SBA caused by psychological disorders, or treatment with drugs in the case of SBA caused by reflux and infections may be recommended.
In the case of SBA caused by allergies, it is important to identify the cause of the allergy and avoid contact. In the case of the syndrome that arises due to nutritional deficiencies, nutritional supplementation is usually indicated, which should be done according to the nutritionist's guidance.
In periods of crisis, that is, when the pain is very intense, it is interesting to suck on ice, as the ice not only relieves the pain, but also helps to moisten the mouth, preventing xerostomia, for example. In addition, it is important to avoid situations that may favor the onset of symptoms, such as tension, stress, talking a lot and consuming spicy foods, for example.
