Robert Follweiler D.D.S., P.A.
Periodontology and Laser Technology
772-283-1400 Follweilerperio.com
Burning Tongue- Burning Mouth Syndrome Do You Have It ?
A
small percentage of senior men and women (mostly women) develop a problem of
intermittent and sometimes chronic burning sensations of their gums and tongue.
This condition may be accompanied by unusual taste sensations as well. The tongue and gums may look perfectly normal
but the burning sensation progresses throughout the day. Patients who experience this burning
sensation may have lost some of their taste sensations though often times they
are unaware of just how much they do not taste their food.
Many patients see
numerous doctors in an attempt to get to the source of the problem but usually
to no avail. This annoying and sometimes painful condition has been mentioned
in medical literature for years but has mostly been ignored because there were
no known physical reasons for the burning. Many clinicians believed it was the
result of symptoms brought on by some type of emotional stress.
Recent
studies have shown that there may be real physical reasons for the condition
known as BURNING MOUTH SYNDROME or BMS. Scientist hypothesize that nerve damage could
be caused by a virus and damage could also be the result of severe changes in
hormone production. This could affect the nerve tissues of the tongue and interrupt
or alter the messages the tongue
receives from the brain. When the
communication from the brain to the tongue is interrupted or becomes out of
balance and the brain exaggerates the sensations it is sending to the
mouth. This may explain the burning feeling and the phantom taste sensations
that a patient experiences.
Research
also states that sometimes BMS and hypersensitivity may develop because of the
toothpastes or oral rinses that are used. The quickest way to remedy this
situation is to change to toothpaste with only fluoride added and stop using
oral rinses. The toothpastes that seem to be the biggest offenders are the
toothpastes that contain pyrophosphates, an additive that is
supposed to slow down the build up of calculus.
Quite
by accident physicians discovered that patients who suffered from epilepsy as
well as BMS saw improvement of both conditions once the epilepsy medicines were
used. This information evolved into the practice of using minute doses of
epilepsy medication to treat BMS.
There are also new herbal remedies that are being tried
such as capsaicin desensitization.
Another
form of burning tongue that may occur is called ATOPHIC
GLOSSITIS and
may be caused by diet, oral yeast infection or mechanical abrasion from a
dental appliance or the teeth themselves. These patients have very red tongues
instead of the normal pink velvety looking tongues.
Finally,
be aware that any new medication or abrupt diet change could precipitate a
burning sensation of the gums or tongue.
Report
any changes to your dentist or health care professional.
For
more information please call our office.
