Burning Mouth Syndrome in Orland Park, South Loop,
Oak Lawn & Midway

What is burning mouth syndrome?

BMS (burning mouth syndrome) is a condition that involves tremendous discomfort in the mouth, including tongue, lips, and palate.

Symptoms of BMS

Pain in the oral cavity is not the only sign of burning mouth syndrome. Other symptoms include:

• Metallic taste
• Dry mouth
• Numbness or tingling
• Changes in taste sensation

What causes burning mouth syndrome?

The cause of BMS is not known, but underlying diseases, such as thyroid disorders and diabetes, and mechanical issues, like poorly fitting dentures, may contribute to the development of BMS. Many specialists believe that BMS is the result of damaged nerves that control taste and pain. Medical conditions that can cause BMS include:

• Nutritional deficiencies
• Certain medicine
• Allergies to dental materials
• Hormonal changes
• Infection
• Acid reflux
• Dry mouth

BMS Diagnosis

Since we don’t know the cause of BMS, the issue can only be diagnosed once we’ve ruled out every other option. This is called diagnosis exclusion, and we begin with an examination of your mouth and an evaluation of your health, including illnesses and diseases that affect the organs in your body. The good news is that the doctors in our offices are specialists in BMS, and we are experienced and trained in the diagnosis and treatment of BMS.

Tests we administer after reviewing your medical history and examining your mouth my include:

• Imaging tests
• Allergy tests
• Oral swab tests
• Salivary flow tests
• Blood tests
• Tissue biopsies

If these tests do not reveal an underlying medical issue, the typical diagnosis is BMS.

BMS Treatment

After completing a comprehensive evaluation of your oral and overall health, we consider treatment options according to your individualized needs and health. We may recommend vitamin and mineral supplements in addition to treating the conditions that we’ve discovered may be the root cause. There is not a specific treatment that works for all people. While we work to determine the cause of your BMS, we prescribe medications that will help you manage any pain or dry mouth. We consider it our responsibility to keep you as comfortable and safe as possible, and we leave no stone unturned as we seek to provide you with the highest level of oral care possible.