What Causes Burning Mouth Syndrome?

October 26, 2023

Individuals impacted by burning mouth syndrome suffer from a mysterious burning sensation with no apparent cause. The feeling ranges and can equivalate to the feeling of being scalded. If this describes your struggle, the unfortunate thing is many health care professionals are unsure of how to adequately address this issue since it's so uncommon. However, through proper education, you can learn more about this condition to better understand how to treat it. It's imperative to get a good grasp on the catalyst to get to the root of the issue. Today, we're looking at the prominent potential causes of burning mouth syndrome.

Dry Mouth

Medically known as xerostomia, dry mouth is a common condition in which your salivary glands are unable to produce enough saliva to keep your mouth properly hydrated. If your doctor determines you have dry mouth, this is very likely contributing to the burning sensation you also suffer with. Dry mouth can be rooted in many causes. These include certain medications, autoimmune disease, tobacco and alcohol use, nerve damage, recreational drug use, cancer therapy, and aging.

If you're able to identify a catalyst that fits in your situation, you can take action to remedy the situation. Bring up your concerns to your doctor. With a clear goal in mind, they'll be better able to run the appropriate tests to come up with the answers you're looking for. When left ignored, this condition can become much more serious than the name implies. From painful mouth sores and an increased risk of gum disease and plaque buildup to cracked lips, poor nutrition, and more, it can really begin to take a toll on your life in a dangerously gradual way.

Reveal more causes of burning mouth syndrome now.

Nutritional Deficiencies

You are what you eat. Most of us have heard this adage, but we don't often think much of it. Just as you understand the compromise you make when you use subpar oil for your car, nutritional deficiencies prevent the body from functioning properly. A few levels you need to be keenly aware of for the mouth, salivary glands, and other oral components to properly function include iron, zinc, folate, thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine, and cobalamin.

Changing your nutrition often means changing your lifestyle, which can be challenging to accomplish and maintain. If you think this could be the cause of your symptoms, it's vital to address the issue now. It's worth the investment to have your doctor run lab tests to get data that will reveal specific deficiencies you suffer with. Once you confirm a deficiency, the power is in your hands to correct it. You can often use supplements to increase the levels of different vitamins and minerals.

It's also important to adjust your diet. A good rule is to avoid going down the aisles of your grocery store. This is where highly processed foods are located, which you can live without. Try to stick to the outer edges of the stores as this is where you'll find the bulk of the nutrition you need to conquer your deficiencies and ease the symptoms of burning mouth syndrome.

Get to know the next cause of burning mouth syndrome.

Dentures

Allergies can really take a toll on your body. While we typically associate them with excessive sneezing and watery eyes, other types are often overlooked. If you wear dentures, you may have a contact allergy to dental materials. In fact, testing has been done that indicates merit to this possibility.

Although the allergens were not identified, it was determined there could be a link between materials used in dentures and burning mouth syndrome. Materials involved in the production that could contribute include monomeric methyl methacrylate, epoxy resin, and repair glues. If you wear dentures and suffer from burning mouth syndrome, there could be a link. A great way to find out is to speak with your dentist about how they were made. You should also consider ordering a standard test series. There are allergies to just about everything, and the symptoms can be strange. Did you know some individuals break out in hives when exposed to cold temperatures? Sunlight can even cause allergic reactions in a small number of individuals. It only makes sense dentures could trigger certain individuals.

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Food Allergies And Reactions

Food allergies and reactions could be contributing to your symptoms. Once your body thinks it's under attack, your burning mouth syndrome can flare up in an attempt to protect you. It's a false alarm, and an excruciating one at that. Many potential catalysts could be contributing to your symptoms including certain foods, additives, toothpaste, and mouthwash. It takes close attention, but be mindful of what you put in your mouth through the day. Even subtle things like a type of material your cup is made of can make all the difference.

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Reflux Of Stomach Acid

Reflux of stomach acid is more common than many individuals realize. The condition can impact individuals of all ages, and around twenty percent of people in the United States suffer with it. Since this disorder is far more common than burning mouth syndrome, the great news is it shouldn't be difficult to determine if acid reflux could be exacerbating your symptoms. Just a few signs this could be a problem include a burning sensation in the chest, the feeling food is trying to come back up with an acidic taste, cigarette smoking, and poor diet. There are various methods to reduce acid reflux. When you and your doctor arrive at one that proves most effective for you, you very well may notice a reduction in your burning mouth syndrome symptoms.

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