Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a sensation of the tongue as well as the roof of the mouth (palate). However, you could experience the it anywhere in your throat. It can lead to tingling, dryness, and a change in taste sensation.
Main causes of burning mouth syndrome
It can be experienced throughout the mouth or at times it is localized to particular areas. Nonetheless, the reason behind these sensations of the gums, palate, tongue and any other areas of the mouth can be difficult to pinpoint. Hence, this write-up is aimed at giving you the four main causes of burning mouth syndrome.
Dryness
When your mouth lacks enough saliva to enable it to stay wet, you experience a dry and sticky condition known as xerostomia. Xerostomia is an oral disease that is caused by certain factors, such as hormonal changes or diseases that affect the salivary glands. Furthermore, you could experience dryness due to certain medications, such as antidepressants, tricyclic, lithium, central nervous system depressants, and drugs for treating high blood pressure.
Nutritional deficiencies
Lack of some core nutrients can be a cause of mouth syndrome. Deficiencies of B vitamins and minerals such as zinc and iron can contribute to this problem. These nutritional deficiencies affect the health of your oral tissues leading to a burning sensation. Therefore, it is advisable to eat a steady diet accompanied by fresh vegetables and fruits, dairy, healthy proteins, nuts, and seeds.
Other oral conditions
Oral yeast infection such as thrush can cause a burning mouth sensation. Furthermore, you can experience it due to other conditions including, denture use, diabetes, and other particular medications. Besides, a condition known as geographic tongue causes a sore mouth and patchy tongue which are all associated with it.
Mouth irritation
This is one of the main causes. Over-brushing your tongue, overusing mouthwash, or drinking too many liquid refreshments can irritate your tissues. Hence, if you are feeling the problem, it is advisable to drink less acidic beverages. Furthermore, it is vital to consult your dentist on oral hygiene to know whether they could be causing the burning sensation.