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.