Burning in the mouth - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

The burning mouth is an annoying sensation of burning or pain, of varying severity, on the oral cavity. Any part can be affected: tongue, gums, palate, floor of the mouth, inside of the cheeks and lips. In most cases, the burning is generalized to the entire oral mucosa and manifests itself in the absence of mucosal lesions. In addition to the burning mouth sensation, the taste alters: you can perceive a metallic taste or a bitter mouth. Other times dry mouth, intense thirst and numbness of the tip of the tongue are reported. Burning of the oral mucosa may occur suddenly or gradually, worsening during the day. In other cases, however, the disorders have a continuous course with temporary remissions.

There are several local and systemic causes that determine the onset of burning in the mouth. The most trivial reason is the simple ingestion of too hot food. In this case, however, burning in the mouth can cause discomfort for a few days. Possible triggers are also spicy foods, alcoholic beverages, coffee, spices, acidic foods (such as tomato and citrus) and kiwi.

Possible local factors include food-grade or contact allergic reactions (rather rare) to materials used in dentistry. Furthermore, dental prostheses can cause mechanical irritation of the oral mucosa.

Burning in the mouth is also associated with diseases, such as chronic gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux or infections, such as oral candidiasis. Smoking, stress, taking some drugs, estrogen deficiency in post-menopause and the altered functions of the salivary glands can also contribute to the onset of stomatopirosis.

Diabetes and nutritional deficiencies (vitamin and iron deficiency) are among the causes of systemic origin. In other cases, however, it is difficult to identify specific causes that favor the burning mouth sensation.