Key points to know
- Burning mouth syndrome is divided into two types: primary BMS and secondary BMS.
- Which type you have can determine if there might be help for your pain.
Primary vs Secondary Burning Mouth Syndrome
Primary BMS is idiopathic, which means doctors and researchers don’t know what causes the intense burning. The pain can start slowly and build up, or people can wake up one day and suddenly experience intense pain.
Researchers aren’t sure, but most believe it is neuropathic, caused by the nervous system.
Secondary BMS has an identified cause. Sometimes when the secondary causes are addressed, the burning pain goes away. This isn’t always the case though. Some of the most common causes of secondary BMS seem to be:
- Nutritional deficiencies, including vitamin B12 and folate
- Oral infections, namely candiasis
- Allergies to foods or dental and oral products
- Diabetes
- Disorders that affect the oral mucosa, such as stomatitis
- Certain medications, like ACE inhibitors, which are used to treat high blood pressure
- Thyroid disorders, like Hashimoto’s disease
- Iron deficiency
Some physicians believe that some people with BMS could have problems with their neck, which can lead to compression on nerves that go to the face.
