Living with Burning mouth syndrome
A condition with long-lasting burning in the mouth, often with taste changes.
Understanding Burning mouth syndrome
The pain may affect the tongue, gums, lips, palate, throat, or the whole mouth. It begins in adulthood. It can be primary or secondary. Experts believe the primary form may be caused by nerve damage affecting pain and taste. The secondary form is caused by an underlying medical condition.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Burning in the mouth
- Taste changes (parageusia)
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Dry mouth
- Trouble sleeping
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
Facial Pain Association may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: Facial Pain Association
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Facial Pain Association
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
The primary form may be caused by damage to the nerves that control pain and taste. The secondary form is caused by an underlying medical condition. In many cases the cause is unknown.
Also known as: bms; bms - burning mouth syndrome; oral dysesthesia; orodynia; stomatodynia; stomatopyrosis
Patient organizations
- Facial Pain AssociationBurning mouth syndrome · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Burning mouth syndrome.
Explore research for Burning mouth syndrome
Explore actively recruiting Burning mouth syndrome studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Burning mouth syndrome with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper
I can help you find recruiting Burning mouth syndrome studies. Enter a ZIP code, address or city below and I'll look within 50 miles.
Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
Get Signals for Burning mouth syndrome
Stay in the loop with community stories and updates from medical researchers.
Create a living journal that talks back
HealthStory evolves private journaling with a living AI journal that talks back and asks thoughtful questions, helping you capture your Burning mouth syndrome experiences more deeply and prepare for better conversations with your doctors and care team.
Your journal is private. Sharing your story publicly is a separate choice, made with Share your story above.