Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017:2017:1926269.
doi: 10.1155/2017/1926269. Epub 2017 Oct 18.

Burning Mouth Syndrome: Aetiopathogenesis and Principles of Management

L Feller  1 , J Fourie  1 , M Bouckaert  2 , R A G Khammissa  1 , R Ballyram  1 , J Lemmer  1
Affiliations
Review

Burning Mouth Syndrome: Aetiopathogenesis and Principles of Management

L Feller et al. Pain Res Manag. 2017.

Abstract

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic debilitating oral condition characterised by a burning sensation of the oral mucosa in an otherwise apparently normal person. Its aetiology and pathogenesis are obscure, but both psychogenic factors and peripheral and central neuropathies appear to be implicated. There is no cure for BMS, and treatment with either local or systemic medications focuses on the relief of symptoms and on improving quality of life. In recalcitrant cases, psychological/psychiatric intervention may be helpful. In order to improve treatment outcomes, a better understanding of the pathogenesis of this syndrome might provide a basis for the development of more effective management strategies. In this short review, we discuss current knowledge of the diagnosis, aetiopathogenesis, and management of BMS.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The interrelation between chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and other emotions. The greater the intensity of the pain the greater the suffering, and anxiety, depression, and the stressful emotions may aggravate the experience of pain.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The interrelationship between emotion, behaviour, and cognition.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. IASP orofacial pain fact sheet. Burning mouth syndome. (Updated September 2016) Available: https://www.iasp-pain.org/files/Content/ContentFolders/GlobalYearAgainst....
    1. Patton L. L., Siegel M. A., Benoliel R., de Laat A. Management of burning mouth syndrome: systematic review and management recommendations. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology. 2007;103(suppl. 39):S39.e1–S39.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2006.11.009. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Buchanan J. A. G., Zakrzewska J. M. Burning mouth syndrome. BMJ Clinical Evidence. 2010;2010 - PMC - PubMed
    1. Gurvits G. E., Tan A. Burning mouth syndrome. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2013;19(5):665–672. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i5.665. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Grushka M., Epstein J., Mott A. An open-label, dose escalation pilot study of the effect of clonazepam in burning mouth syndrome. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology. 1998;86(5):557–561. doi: 10.1016/S1079-2104(98)90345-6. - DOI - PubMed