Clinical Approach for Diagnosis and Treatment of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Abstract

Burning mouth syndrome [BMS] is a chronic pain condition, characterized by an intraoral burning sensation in the absence of any organic disorders of the oral cavity or clinical or laboratory findings, affecting predominantly postmenopausal middle‐aged females. This condition is probably of multifactorial origin, involving various local, systemic, and/or psychogenic causes, often idiopathic and its exact etiopathogenesis remains unclear. As the symptom of oral burning is seen in various pathological conditions, it is essential for a clinician to be aware of how to differentiate between symptom of oral burning and BMS as it is a disease of exclusion. With its management still remaining to be a challenge, In this article we discuss current management strategies from the use of pharmacological modalities to applying non-pharmacological modalities including cognitive behavioral therapy and complementary and alternative medicine [CAM], emphasizing the important role of patient education and anxiety management to improve the patients’ quality of life.