Burning Mouth Syndrome is common in older men going through andropause, women experiencing various stages of menopause, and those in the habit of chewing on toothpicks, biting the inside of the cheek, and thrusting the tongue against the teeth. It's not contagious unless caused by a bacterial or viral infection, which is unlikely unless accompanied by a white coating of the tongue or mouth sores.

Burning Mouth Syndrome and Burning Tongue Syndrome are two different syndromes. BTS is a term used when some other cause of your burning tongue has been established, such as Geographic Tongue, caused by acidic burning from foods eaten. Geographic Tongue is a separate, sometimes painful condition. The tongue looks mapped because some hairs (papillae) are missing.

A white tongue may be associated with Thrush, a fungal overgrowth in the mouth, often causing a white film on your tongue and, sometimes, sores in the mouth or on the back and sides of your tongue. It is also different in the case of having too much stomach acid, which causes raw, painful blisters to form in your mouth.

Symptoms of Burning Mouth Syndrome

The sensation of stinging or burning of the tongue or parts of the mouth without being burned may or may not be related to the Herpes Simplex Virus. The sensation often goes away while eating or drinking something, leading to overeating.

Possible Causes of Burning Mouth Syndrome

• Herpes Simplex Virus (particularly HSV-1)
• Endocrine dysfunction (hormonal imbalances), menopause, and aging (aging affects hormones and the composition of saliva)
• Candida, including vaginal yeast infection (Vaginitis)
• Anemia
• Alcohol-based products (alcoholic beverages, mouthwash, alcohol-based tinctures)
• Mint-based products
• Digestive disorders (indigestion and acid reflux)
• Tooth products, including whiteners, sodium laurel phosphate (the foaming agent in toothpaste), fluoride (added to toothpaste and tap water), and peroxide (added to toothpaste and mouthwashes)
• Certain foods and beverages, food additives, and food dyes
• A neck injury (damage to the seventh nerve (the nerve that runs from the tip of the tongue, through the inner ear to the brain)
• Spinal misalignment and neurological disorders causing reduced blood flow or abnormal nerve sensations (to the mouth)
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Allergies, especially chemical
• Excessive tongue movement (70% of all cases)
• TMJ (the 2nd most common cause)
• Cigarette smoke
• Menthol
• Stress, irritability, anxiety, fear, and fear-derived depression cause the salivary glands to produce less saliva
• pH imbalance (acidosis or alkalosis)
• The most common cause of dry mouth is drugs. There are over 1800 drugs that can cause dry mouth and eyes. The most common medicines leading to this condition are antibiotics, high blood pressure medications, tricyclic antidepressants, Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants, lithium, allergy and pain medications, weight loss, and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Diuretics can cause dehydration, another cause of dry mouth. Anything that can cause the mouth to become chronically dry can lead to the sensation of burning in the mouth. 
• Tobacco
• Certain autoimmune disorders such as Sjogren's Disease, Hodgkin's, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's can cause dry mouth and eyes (and other dry areas of the body).
• Fibromyalgia Syndrome causes dry mouth, eyes, and other dryness problems (breathing airways, intestinal, and vaginal dryness).
• Radiation and chemotherapy (Cancer can be either the cause or result of Burning Mouth Syndrome)
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• When you stop eating tough foods (like celery, meat, raw carrots, and nuts) and are chewing less than you used to, your salivary glands decrease in size, producing less lubrication. As you age, you may lean towards eating gentler foods, which can cause less saliva production, although not so much that it should be a noticeable problem.
• Hot beverages can leave the nerves of the mouth unsettled when hot enough to burn. Drink not-quite-so-hot beverages.
• Tea leaves (greens, whites, and some florals) brewed in water that's too hot causes tea to become too acidic, which can cause dry mouth or worsen dry mouth. 

Spiritual/Psychological Cause of Burning Mouth Syndrome: The inability to taste (experience) the joy of life.

Associated Chakra: The 3rd Chakra/The Yellow Aura Color Personality

Associated Temperament: Sanguine

Associated Energy Meridians: Stomach Meridian and Pericardium (Heart Sack)

Dental Work

Dr. Miriam Grushka, an associate professor of dentistry at Case Western Reserve University, discovered a relationship between Burning Mouth Syndrome and some connective tissue disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's, and Lupus. She is concerned that some dental procedures could impact the mouth, leading to phantom pain. Damage to the 7th nerve (the nerve at the tip of the tongue) can cause Burning Mouth Syndromes.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) can cause headaches and clicking or popping of the jaw hinges. Sometimes, the jaw can become stuck open. For example, if you have TMJ, you may not be able to bite into apples without having trouble opening or closing your mouth as usual. This trouble with the jaw can begin after holding your mouth open for long periods in the dental chair. TMJ can cause Burning Mouth Syndrome because it affects your head and neck muscles and nerves. You might want to consult your dentist if you suspect this may be problematic. Chiropractors can also help with TMJ. TMJ may also be a cause of Tinnitus.  

Pain Phantoms

Dr. Linda Bartoshuk, an experimental psychologist at Yale Medical School, believes persons suffering from Burning Mouth Syndrome are experiencing pain phantoms, much like someone who has had a limb removed. She says that our sense of taste naturally inhibits pain from the tongue. When taste buds are damaged and dysfunctional, the brain gets a false message, thinking it has received a message of pain from the tongue. A metallic taste in the mouth, often associated with Burning Mouth Syndrome, can result from damaged nerves. The brain creates this sense of taste like an amputee still feels an arm missing.

Menopause or Hormonal Imbalances

The onset of Burning Mouth Syndrome is frequently two years before and six years after menopause. Menopause and Andropause (male menopause) are common denominators for most people with Burning Mouth Syndrome, suggesting that hormones play a role in Burning Mouth Syndrome. Hormones affect the composition of your saliva, which is why hormones are often tested through saliva. Still, doctors believe another factor must be involved other than decreased hormone levels.

What Doctors are Doing

Doctors are prescribing Clonazepam (an anticonvulsant) for Burning Mouth Syndrome. Symptoms appear to be gone within 24 hours in up to 70% of individuals. This medication may offer relief, but the side effects may not be worth it. Clonazepam is also one of the drugs used for Tinnitus (ringing in the ears). 

What NOT To Do When You Have BMS

• Avoid alcohol-based products, such as mouth rinses, sprays and cough syrup, cigarette smoke, cinnamon, peppermint, sorbic acid and benzoic acid (preservatives), and propylene glycol, a moisturizing agent in foods, drugs, and cosmetics.

• Avoid inhaling chemicals (paint thinner, chlorine, pesticides, mothballs). Sensitivity to these things can cause Burning Mouth Syndrome.

• Avoid consuming too many acidic drinks (soft drinks, black tea, citrus juice). 

• Avoid dehydration. Don't rely on feeling thirsty. The sensation of thirst shuts off when your body knows you are not paying attention to the signal. Sip water while you are eating. Saliva has a lubricant, but sipping on water also helps wash down your food.

• Don't hold things with your teeth (your glasses, pens, and pencils), which causes a tightening of your face, jaw, and throat muscles, irritating delicate nerves.

• Stop thrusting your tongue. 70% of all Burning Mouth Syndrome is caused by tongue thrusting. What you are feeling may be referred pain from the tongue and throat muscles. Try not to play with your teeth or gums with your tongue. Just like some people thrust their tongue against their teeth, others grind their teeth or flex the back muscles of the tongue in stress.

• Stop leaning on your elbow. When you lean on your elbow and support your face against your hand, it stretches the muscles under the jaw and causes muscle fatigue and tension. This tension can cause nerves to be irritated, leading to a burning sensation in the throat, mouth, and tongue.

• Eliminate fluoride and tooth whitening toothpaste from yourmedicine cabinet. Avoiding toothpaste altogether when you have Burning Mouth Syndrome can be beneficial. Use an all-natural paste, such as Tom's of Maine Sodium Laurel Phosphate Free Toothpaste, or use baking soda or coconut oil (or a combination of both). Don't brush your gums too hard with baking soda. It can cause gum irritation.

• Avoid salty foods for at least two weeks. Salt on the tongue from salty snacks or foods (chips, pretzels) can irritate the mouth and tongue, causing Burning Mouth Syndrome and Dry Mouth Syndrome.Add them back into your diet and check for a reaction. Also, use natural sea salt (the salt your body requires) rather than ordinary table salt, which is worthless and harmful.

Holistic Alternatives for Burning Mouth Syndrome 

• Brush your teeth and your tongue more often. Use a combination of sea salt and baking soda to form toothpaste.

• While chewing on ice can alleviate burning sensations for a time, doing so too often may cause TMJ. 

• Floss regularly, every day, after eating.

• Try an over-the-counter natural saliva solution. It is a solution that is like natural tears for the eyes.

• You might consider allergy testing. Allergies to foods, chemicals, and additives may also cause symptoms of dryness. The drawback is that these tests aren't always reliable. SpectraCell is a reputable online nutritional testing source.

• Chiropractic adjustment may help if you also have a stiff neck. Follow the suggestions for chronic pain.  

• Take your dentures and partials out while you are sleeping. If they don't fit well, try to get them refitted so you won't be playing with them with your teeth or irritating your tongue with them.

• Do you experience a metallic taste in your mouth? This symptom is commonly shared with many types of mouth pain. You may be allergic to some of your dental materials or have Gingivitis. It may also be your brain assigning a flavor to damaged taste buds due to the damage of the seventh nerve that runs from the tip of your tongue, through your inner ear, and to your brain, as mentioned earlier. Consider consulting your dentist or doctor about these matters.

• Maintain proper posture. Slouching makes your next extend out, which causes strain in the neck muscles, which can transfer pain in the tongue. Bad posture is also related to feeling burdened and hopeless about changing things. For example, bike riding is healthy, but extending your chin in front of you for longer than a minute or two pulls on sensitive nerves in the jaw area.

• Find ways to reduce physical stress. 

• Suck on a natural sore throat drop, such as Ricola. It will numb your tongue for a while and enable you to distract yourself. NEVER use anything containing menthol or peppermint. 

• Chew sugar-free gum.

• Massage the underside of your jaw, especially under your chin and further back, working the massage in and around your throat. Sometimes, doing this will relieve the burning instantly. 

Supplements for Burning Mouth Syndrome

I advocate getting your vitamins from your food, but sometimes, supplements can be helpful.

• The #1 supplement for Burning Mouth Syndrome is alpha lipoic acid (take as directed on the label).
• Vitamin B complex - 50 mg 3 times daily
• Vitamin C with bioflavonoids - 1000 mg daily
• Vitamin A - No more than 8,000 IU daily (avoid during pregnancy)
• Vitamin E with mixed tocopherols - 400 mg daily
• Folic acid - 800 mcg daily (if you have the MTHFR Gene Mutation, take methyl folate instead) with B-12 and vitamin C
• Take 20-30 drops of echinacea extract three times daily for pain. It has a numbing effect on the tongue.

You might also try:

• Iron - 60 mg daily (only with your doctor's permission and not if you are menopausal)
• B-12 - 1,000 mcg daily dissolved under the tongue. If you're B-12 for over seven days, supplement with folic acid. Take methyl folate if you have the MTHFR Gene Mutation.
• Zinc - 50 mg daily