Possible Causes Of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Posted on: 19 February 2015

It's normal to occasionally burn your mouth when starting to eat a bowl of soup or sipping on some hot chocolate but if you experience a painful burning sensation in your mouth when you are not even eating anything, there's a good chance you could have something known as burning mouth syndrome (BMS). If you believe you have this problem, you should contact your dentist. Burning mouth syndrome can be caused by a variety of different things. Here are four of the more common issues that could be behind your struggle with a burning mouth.

Poor Diet

The nervous system is known to need a good supply of certain minerals and vitamins in order to function properly. If your diet is lacking vitamin B or minerals like zinc and iron, this causes a reaction that could make the nerves in your mouth burn. Consider picking up some supplements at the supermarket to help balance your diet.

Dry Mouth

If your salivary glands are not functioning properly, you might develop dry mouth. This is a problem that requires a dentist's attention just by itself, but dry mouth can also create the perfect environment for burning mouth syndrome. Try chewing some gum to promote an increase in saliva until you can get to the dentist.

Hormones

If your body is going through significant changes, your mouth could temporarily be reacting to all of the hormones that are rushing through your body. For example, ladies who are going through menopause are more likely to develop burning mouth syndrome. Some teens going through puberty may also experience this problem.

Acid Reflux

There's a chance that your burning mouth isn't due to BMS but rather a problem elsewhere in your body. Acid reflux could send acid back up into your mouth, creating the burning sensation. You won't know for sure what you have until you go and see your dentist or family doctor.

Burning mouth syndrome can be caused by a variety of influences. Most common are dry mouth and a poor diet. If you are going through menopause or another type of bodily change, make sure you let your dentist know. Burning mouth syndrome can be treated through a variety of means, depending on the source of the problem. Until you can get to your dentist to find out more, drink plenty of water and stay away from hot and spicy foods that will irritate the nerves in your mouth.

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