Burning mouth syndrome: Current concepts.

Area of Science:

• Oral Medicine
• Neurology
• Pain Management

Background:

• Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic oral pain condition characterized by burning sensations without visible lesions.
• It predominantly affects women during peri-menopause and menopause, with a 7:1 female-to-male ratio.
• The exact cause is unclear, but neuropathic and gustatory factors are implicated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To familiarize healthcare providers with the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and characteristics of primary BMS.
• To provide an update on current treatment strategies for managing BMS patients.
• To improve the recognition and management of this frequently mismanaged condition.

Main Methods:

• This is a review article.
• It synthesizes current knowledge on BMS diagnosis and pathogenesis.
• It discusses established and emerging treatment options.

Main Results:

• BMS diagnosis requires ruling out other causes of oral burning.
• Neuropathic etiology is strongly suspected, with gustatory system involvement also noted.
• Pharmacological (e.g., benzodiazepines) and non-pharmacological (CBT, CAM) treatments are available.

Conclusions:

• BMS management remains challenging due to its complex etiology and limited awareness.
• Accurate diagnosis and comprehensive understanding of pathogenesis are crucial for effective management.
• Healthcare providers need updated knowledge to better assist patients suffering from BMS.