What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

What is Burning Mouth Syndrome?

Burning Mouth Syndrome is a condition in which the tongue and inside of the mouth experience a persistent burning, and sometimes painful, sensation.  This condition affects 2-3% of the general population and 14% of post menopausal women.

Signs of Burning Mouth Syndrome

Most symptoms appear spontaneously and usually start on the tip of the tongue.

Symptoms include:

• Burning sensation on tongue
• Burning sensation on inside of cheek
• Burning/pain has been reported to start in the morning and gradually increase as the day progresses
• Tongue may appear redder than normal, or smoother than normal.  This indicates an underlying infection is present
• Bitter/metallic taste in mouth

Causes/Related Factors of Burning Mouth Syndrome

• Most often unpredictable and not related to a specific cause
• The following are not causes, but have been linked to the condition:
  • Decreased saliva production
  • Chronic mouth breathing
  • Trigeminal neuralgia
  • Candidiasis (fungal infection in the mouth)
  • Trauma to the mouth
  • Chronic tongue thrust habit
  • Allergy to medications
  • Vitamin B deficiency
  • Anxiety
  • Stress
  • AIDS
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Estrogen deficiency (thus the higher occurrence in post menopausal women)

Treatment for Burning Mouth Syndrome

• If the dentist can identify an underlying systemic condition (such as vitamin B deficiency or fungal infection, etc.), you can receive treatment for the primary condition and, as a result, burning mouth syndrome will resolve also
• If no cause can be identified, the following treatments may be used
  • Clonazapam
  • Vitamin B
  • Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
  • Pain medications (aspirin, ibuprofen)
  • Antibiotics
  • Antifungals
  • Counseling
• Being that this condition has a high correlation with depression, anxiety, and stress, if means are taken to RELAX and create a stress-free, anxiety-free home/work environment symptoms will alleviate

Have more questions?  Feel free to leave a commit or submit a question to be included in our FAQ’s.

Xylitol + Chewing Gum = Good for your Teeth!

So chewing gum is actually good for your teeth….that is if it’s the right type of gum!

What is Xylitol?

Xylitol is a sugar substitute that is now being used in many sugar free chewing gums.  It occurs naturally in many fruits and vegetables.

Why is it good for my teeth?

It works in a number a ways at preventing plaque build-up and protecting your teeth.

• Increases the amount of saliva in your mouth, allowing you to naturally clean and protect your teeth
• Prevents bacteria from producing acids, which slows down and prevents the demineralization of your enamel
• Has been shown to limit the growth of Steptococcus mutans, the main bacteria that causes cavities
• Promotes remineralization of the enamel, thus making it stronger and more resistant to bacteria

How often should I chew gum with Xylitol?

• About 2-3 times a day
• After each meal

Which gums carry Xylitol?

Just check out the package.  Many gums like Trident now indicate on the front of the package if it carries Xylitol.

So what’s a Canker Sore?

Canker sores, known in the medical world as recurrent aphthous stomatitis, are fairly common mouth ulcers that have various presentations.  Not to be confused with oral herpes, these lesions only present inside of the mouth.   According to medical texts, around 20% of the general population suffers from this ailment.

How do canker sores appear in the mouth?

Canker sores can appear as small (ranges from 3 mm to 3 cm in diameter) gray or white round lesions surrounded by a red border. Its appearance is due to an actual destruction of the mucosa by the immune system, primarily T lymphocytes.   These lesions can appear on the inside of the cheek, floor of the mouth (under the tongue), roof of the mouth (palate), or on the tongue only.

What are the symptoms?

A burning, tingling, or itching sensation may occur in the area before the sore appears.  Once present, the lesion is usually painful when eating, drinking, or even talking.  Any type of movement may initiate the pain.  Depending on the classification of the ulcer, a fever or swollen lymph nodes may also appear.

What causes the sores?

Though one definitive cause has yet to be identified, several factors can contribute to the appearance of canker sores including:

• Stress
• Allergies
• Family history (can possibly be hereditary)
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Direct trauma or agitation
• Major hormonal changes (i.e. puberty)
• Can be associated with major systemic disease

Which type of canker sore do I have?

There are several types of canker sores.  The charts below summarize the three types of clinical variants and two types of classifications.

Type	Appearance	Symptoms	Duration	Other Facts
Minor	3-10mm Circular shape Usually leave no scar when healed	Very painful Have burning or itching sensation before appearance 1-5 lesions per episode	Usually appear for 7-14 days Begins in childhood or adolescence	Most common Surrounded by red border Women affected more than men
Major	1-3 cm in diameter (larger than the two other forms) Irregular shape	Painful 1-10 lesions per episode	Usually associated with hormonal changes and may develop shortly after puberty Can last from 2-6 weeks
Herpetiform	1-3 mm Heals with no scar	Many lesions (up to 100) per episode	Begins in adult life Lasts 7-10 days	Has the most frequent occurrences of all 3 forms

Types of Canker Sores

Simple

• Usually associated with pain
• Heals in 1-2 weeks
• Few lesions
• Doesn’t occur that often

Complex

• Associated with severe pain
• Never completely heals. Lesions always present.
• Numerous lesions present

Treatment for Canker Sores

• If mild, the doctor or dentist may prescribe topical corticosteroid cream to apply to the area.
• If in a hard to reach area, like on the tonsils, a beclomethasone dipropionate may be prescribed.
• Anti-virals such as acyclovir
• Vitamins, especially zinc sulfate

Many cold sores are minor and will disappear on their own.  However, if your cold sore does not resolve on its own, or is reoccurring, please visit your dentist or physician for assistance.

Toothache Got Cha Down?

Tooth pain is definitely a sign of bad things to come if not treated properly.  Please do not ignore these signs!!  It’s best to find out a cause early on then wait until it’s too late to be saved.  The first question to ask yourself is, what type of pain is it?  The type of pain can tell you a tremendous amount of information as to the next step in treatment.

Type of pain

• Brief, short pain
• Pain when eating or drinking cold food/liquids or exposed to air
• Long lasting pulsating pain
• No sensation/tooth discoloration

Brief short pain:

If the pain only occurs occasionally, such as when drinking cold liquids, this is a sure sign of reversible pulpitis.  Depending on the extent of bacterial invasion and condition of tooth structure, this condition can usually be treated with pulp cap.  The good news is that the pulp of the tooth can likely be saved.

Long lasting pulsating pain:

Long lasting lingering pain is usually indicative of irreversible pulpitis.  This means the bacteria has invaded the tooth’s pulp and, depending on the extent of invasion, the entire pulp or portion of the pulp may have to be removed.  If the amount of bacterial invasion is extensive, or if a substantial amount of tooth structure has been destroyed, the tooth may have to be extracted.  The treatment options for irreversible pulpitis include:

• Extraction
• Pulpotomy/Pulpectomy
• Root Canal Therapy

No sensation/tooth discoloration:

If you noticed a major discoloration of the tooth in question, necrotic pulp is probably the culprit.  This means the pulp of the tooth is dead.  If the pulp is dead, the tooth is dead and it needs to be removed.  If substantial tooth structure remains, the dentist may be able to retain the tooth by performing root canal therapy.  The only treatment for necrotic pulp is extraction or root canal therapy.

Keep in mind that a series of tests must be performed by the dentist before a diagnosis can be reached.  Tooth pain can also indicate a fractured root, impacted tooth, gum disease, or even problems with the temporomandibular joint.  So, if you experience any type of pain with a tooth or any structure in your mouth, be sure to contact your dentist as soon as possible for the best possible treatment options.

Embarrassing Cold Sore on your Lips: Get the Facts!

Cold sores (Fever Blisters), better known as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), are small, irregular shaped, yellow or white ulcerations/sores located in the mouth, lips, or surrounding skin.  The sores typically start off as red, then collapse to form a yellowish ulcer.  These lesions are usually painful.

The first breakout of HSV-1 is more severe than recurrent episodes.  The initial breakout is oftentimes seen in children between 6 months and 5 years and is known as acute herpetic gingivostomatitis.

Recurrent breakouts usually appear on the lip or surrounding skin and are known as herpes labialis.  15-45% of the population has a history of herpes labialis.

What are the symptoms of Cold Sores?

The following symptoms will occur 6-24 hours before a breakout:

• Itching
• Burning
• Tingling
• Pain
• Redness of the skin

Shortly after, multiple small red lesions will appear.  The sores rupture within 2 days, crust over, and generally fully heal in 7-10 days.

If this is an initial breakout, the following symptoms may also occur:

• Sore throat
• Fever
• Muscle pain
• Headache

What causes cold sores?

The sores are caused by a DNA virus known as herpes simplex virus.  Unfortunately the virus remains in the system even when no breakout is present.  Breakouts can also be provoked by the following factors:

• Stress
• Ultraviolet light
• Pregnancy
• Trauma
• Respiratory illnesses
• Allergies
• Other diseases
• Menstruation

Is there treatment for herpes labialis?

Unfortunately there is no known treatment that can completely cure the disease.  However, there are several treatments that can be used to decrease or temporarily alleviate the symptoms of herpes.  These treatments include:

• Anti-viral medications such as Acyclovir
• Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, to alleviate the pain
• Over the counter topical anesthetic gels can also help to decrease pain and discomfort