Burning tongue or also known as burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a health condition that causes a burning sensation in the mouth. Individuals with this condition frequently describe the burn as feeling similar to hot drink scald.
There are other causes of BMS, but the primary reason for its onset is unclear. For this reason, the treatment may depend on the cause.
Below are the common causes of this syndrome:
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Nutritional Deficiencies
A deficiency of key nutrients may also cause tongue tingles, which may result in BMS. Deficiencies of minerals like zinc and iron and B vitamins can contribute to burning tongue by affecting your oral tissues’ health.
The best solution for this is to ensure that you’re eating a well-balanced diet with green vegetables and fresh fruits, seeds and healthy proteins, nuts, dairy, and whole grains. However, before you take any nutritional supplements, consult your doctor first.
Dry Mouth
Once your mouth doesn’t have enough saliva to stay wet, you’ll experience dry mouth, which is another oral condition, which can be caused by some factors like diseases that affect the salivary glands, natural hormonal changes, or some medications. Chronic dryness may also contribute to soreness or a burning sensation in your mouth.
Mouth Irritation
Drinking a lot of irritating beverages, overusing your mouthwash, and over-brushing your tongue can irritate your mouth tissues. If you’re experiencing a burning sensation in the mouth, try to drink less or fewer acidic drinks. If possible, talk to your dentist regarding your oral hygiene habits to know whether they might be causing irritation.
Oral Conditions
The burning mouth syndrome can also be due to oral health conditions including a fungal infection or oral thrush in the mouth. It may also be due to geographic tongue, which is a condition as curious as it sounds that coats your tongue with a kind of map-like surface. Fortunately, your dentist can easily navigate such strange territories, diagnose, and give options to lessen discomfort.
Other causes of this condition may include immune system problems, allergy to the materials used in dentures, reactions to the ingredients in mouthwash or toothpaste. There are also psychological triggers such as depression, anxiety, and stress. However, depression and anxiety are thought to make the problem worse instead of causing it. Some experts also say that a burning tongue may be a symptom of mouth cancer.
How to Treat Burning Tongue
Once you suspect that you have a BMS, see your dentist for a quick checkup. If there’s a dental cause like an allergy to your dentures or badly fitting dentures, your dentist is the best expert to give you the help you need. For instance, they can adjust your dentures or replace them if needed. Your dentist may also prescribe medicines to treat fungal infection or a dry mouth. But, if there’s no dental cause, your dentist might suggest that you see a doctor or another specialist.
While some causes of burning tongue are easy to determine, others aren’t that obvious. Nerve damage, hormonal imbalances, and allergies are some of the medical problems that can cause this condition. However, you can take steps to quell or curb this curious fire. All you have to do is to take care of your overall and oral health.