Cooling the Pain of a Burning Mouth

We’ve all taken a sip of a scalding drink or singed the roof of our mouths on a spoonful of steaming soup. Most often, the feeling goes away after a few minutes or hours.

Some people, however, experience blazing pain that lasts for months or years.¹ It’s called burning mouth syndrome, and doctors aren’t always sure what causes it.¹

What Are the Signs?

A scalding sensation on the tongue, lips, or throughout the mouth is the most common symptom of burning mouth syndrome. Many people with the condition report pain that develops in the late morning, building into the evening, and easing at night.¹

Other signs you may have burning mouth syndrome include:

• A dry or sore mouth²

• A bitter or metallic taste²

• Tingling or numbness in the mouth or at the tip of the tongue¹

The condition can strike anyone, but is most common in women after menopause.³

What Are the Causes?

Doctors once thought burning mouth syndrome was the result of a psychological disorder. They now know that although depression and anxiety can contribute to its development, it may also be a result of dealing with chronic pain.²

Other factors that may lead to burning mouth syndrome include:

• Hormone changes¹

• Damage to the nerves that control taste and pain¹

• Dry mouth¹

• Thrush (oral candidiasis)—a fungal infection¹

• Acid reflux¹

• Nutritional deficiencies¹

• Dentures that don’t fit right, or an allergy to denture materials¹

The condition may have more than one cause in some, but for others, the cause may never be identified.¹

How Is It Treated?

Talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing burning mouth syndrome. Therapy often depends on the underlying factors. Treatments include:

• Adjusting medications or treating diseases that cause dry mouth, including diabetes¹

• Fixing or replacing dentures¹

• Taking vitamin supplements¹

• Taking anti-fungal medication¹

• Using mouth rinse made with capsaicin, a compound in hot peppers²

• Taking antidepressants, which may relieve psychological symptoms but are also thought to change the taste system^1,2

• Undergoing hormone therapy³

• Taking pain medication if the cause can’t be identified or other treatments don’t work¹

You can also try these tips to soothe the burning:

• Chew sugarless gum.¹

• Sip water or suck on chips of ice.¹

• Avoid foods and drinks that might trigger burning, including those that are hot or spicy, contain alcohol, or are high in acid, like citrus fruits and juices.¹

• Avoid smoking cigarettes or using other tobacco products.¹

• Brush your teeth or dentures gently, at least twice a day, with baking soda and water instead of toothpaste.¹ Pay special attention to the gum line.

¹ “Burning Mouth Syndrome.” National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, June 2008. www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/Burning/BurningMouthSyndrome.htm. Accessed 2009.

² “Burning Mouth Syndrome.” American Academy of Family Physicians, June 2007. www.familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/776.html. Accessed 2009.

³ “Frequently Asked Questions: Oral Health.” Office on Women's Health, Department of Health and Human Services, September 23, 2008. www.womenshealth.gov/faq/oral-health.cfm. Accessed 2009.