Burning Mouth Syndrome

Signs:

¨ No abnormalities can be seen on the mucous membrane

Symptoms:

¨ Severe, constant burning sensation

¨ Bilateral sore tongue, may also involve mucous membranes

¨ Of long duration—months or even years

¨ Does not interfere with eating or sleeping

The symptoms are frequently psychogenic, but it is essential to exclude organic disease.

 

Diagnostic tests may include:

¨ Haematology—vitamin B, iron and folic acid deficiency

¨ Thyroid function

¨ Examine dentures—discomfort from dentures

¨ Salivary flow test—dry mouth

¨ Diabetes

¨ Allergy testing

¨ Swab/smear/oral rinse to test for candidal infection

¨  

Treatment:

When other factors have been excluded, the patient should be referred for detailed psychiatric assessment. Antidepressant medication may be helpful, as may be cognitive behavioural therapy.

 

 

Sore Tongue

Ulcers— various types of stomatitis such as herpes simplex or lichen planus may affect the tongue. Carcinomas may present on the lateral border of the tongue and often far back. Diagnosis depends on clinical examination and sometimes biopsy.

Glossitis—red, smooth and sore tongue. This is a particular feature of anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency and candidosis. Lichen planus can also produce a smooth tongue due to atrophy of the papillae, without soreness or erythema.

 

 

 

 

A.K.A  Burning Mouth, Glossopyrosis, Glossodynia, Stomatodynia. This typically presents in your anxious middle aged female patient who may also be cancerophobic, depressive or a hypochondriac.