Burning mouth syndrome: etiology

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Pain Management
• Dermatology

Background:

• Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is characterized by oral mucosal pain, potentially with inflammatory signs but no specific lesions.
• It predominantly affects women aged 40-60, presenting as moderate to severe burning sensations, commonly on the tongue, gingiva, lips, and buccal mucosa.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and categorize the diverse etiologies of Burning Mouth Syndrome.
• To propose a structured diagnostic protocol for managing patients with BMS.

Main Methods:

• Categorization of BMS etiologies into four groups: local, systemic, emotional, and idiopathic.
• Emphasis on comprehensive patient evaluation, including detailed interviews, physical examinations, and laboratory tests.

Main Results:

• Local causes include dental, allergic, and infectious factors.
• Systemic causes encompass connective tissue diseases, endocrine disorders, neurological conditions, nutritional deficiencies, and salivary gland dysfunction leading to xerostomia.
• BMS etiology is often multifactorial and diagnostically challenging.

Conclusions:

• A systematic approach is crucial for accurate BMS diagnosis and effective patient management.
• Identifying the underlying causes, whether single or multiple, is essential to avoid empirical treatment strategies.