Burning Tongue Syndrome
Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
Neurosensory disorder resulting in constant burning pain of oral soft tissues
(Especially tongue) without clinical or laboratory findings.
- 90% women; average age 60; 50% of patients, the tongue is the only site; taste dysfunction common (Dysgeusia); Xerostomia 60% cases (medications and/or menopause)
- Patients with BMS have an increased incidence of benign migratory glossitis. (geographical tongue)
- A BMS work-up must rule out Triclosan/allergy, nutrition deficiency, candidiasis, diabetic neuropathy, Scalded Mouth Syndrome (drug reaction to angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor antihypertensive medications) and Burning Lips Syndrome (Dysfunctional minor salivary glands)
TREATMENTS
- Eat yogurt and/or increase dairy product intake
- Do not eat spicy foods or limit intake of spicy foods and limit caffeine
- Do not or limit drink beverages high in acid, such as coffee and coke
- Change toothpaste to Tom’s of Maine, Biotene, or Sensodyne
- Chew sugar-free gum
- Can try dry mouth recommendations
- Lubrication (Biotene products, Oral Balance Gel, MouthKote, Lansinoh)
- Candidiasis treatment: Mycelex Troche or Diflucan 150 mg
Mycolog II for the corners of mouth
- Nutritional treatment (B12, Folate, Iron and Zinc)
- Diabetic control
- Eliminate triclosan/tarter control products (See toothpaste products listed above)
- If on ACE-inhibitor, may switch hypertensive medication. Ace-inhibitor drugs include; Aceon, Accupril, Altace, Capoter, Lotensin, Mavik, Monopril, Prinivil, Univase, Vasotec, Zestril (Please talk with your M.D.) could switch to: Clonazepan, Amitriptyline, Alpha Lipoic Acid
- Prescription ointments- Protopic 0.03% or “Oralone” 0.1% 5g paste
HOME REMEDIES
- Cold apple juice; rinse mouth with it in the A.M. and P.M.
- Equal parts of Benadryl elixir and Maalox; rinse 4 times per day and do not swallow
- 6 drops of hot pepper sauce (Tabasco or Texas Pete) in a teaspoon of water. Swish 4 times per day. There will be burning at first and then it will improve.