In a new study, researchers found important information about a disease called ‘burning mouth syndrome’.
They found not all burning mouths are the result of the disease and doctors need better standards for an appropriate diagnosis.
The research was conducted by a team from Case Western Reserve University.
According to them, burning mouth syndrome is a painful, complex condition linked to a chronic or recurring burning, scalding or tingling feeling in the mouth.
Sometimes it is accompanied by a metallic taste or dry mouth sensation.
But because other conditions have similar symptoms, diagnosing burning mouth syndrome can be difficult.
If a patient is misdiagnosed with burning mouth syndrome, but actually suffers from burning due to dry mouth, the patient will receive treatment for the wrong condition and the symptoms of burning will not improve.
These patients often have to see several providers to get an accurate diagnosis. This can take up a lot of health-care resources.
That’s because many dentists and clinicians aren’t trained well on the topic. The current method for making a diagnosis is ruling out other disorders.
The specific cause of the disease is uncertain. But some evidence shows that it may be related to nerve dysfunction.
Sometimes, chewing gum or eating certain foods lessens pain symptoms.
It is estimated that between .1% and 4% of the population is affected by burning mouth syndrome. The condition affects women more.
In the new study, the team did a review of clinical trials internationally between 1994 and 2017.
They found that many of the participants may have had an underlying condition that could have explained their burning mouth symptoms.
Future research needs to build a consensus for a single definition of BMS that includes specific inclusion and exclusion criteria.
The team reminds people that a lot of the other things that cause burning in the mouth (such as diabetes, anemia and dry mouth) can be easily treated.
One author of the study is Milda Chmieliauskaite, a researcher and assistant professor of oral and maxillofacial medicine at the dental school.
The study is published in Oral Diseases.
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