My Mouth Is Burning: Why?

The fact that your mouth burns may be the consequence of a food allergy, as a secondary reaction to a medication, among other causes. Find out what you can do to alleviate it.

Have you ever felt your mouth burn and you don’t know why? It is normal for this burning to appear after eating spicy foods and in a timely manner. However, there are certain people who experience it constantly and for no apparent reason.

This symptom, in medical terms, is called glossodynia or burning mouth syndrome. It is estimated that it affects between 5 and 10% percent of the population. It is a pathology that is very uncomfortable for those who suffer from it, since the burning sensation spreads throughout the mouth.

Also, this syndrome is not yet well known. However, it is known that it can be related to certain diseases or pathological situations. However, it can be a sign of a deficiency of certain vitamins or even an allergic reaction.

In this article we explain why the mouth sometimes burns continuously, and what are the causes of burning mouth syndrome. We will also talk about what you can do about it.

Why does my mouth burn continuously?

As we have already mentioned, it is normal to feel your mouth burning in certain situations. For example, after eating spicy. However, this is a specific situation that is easy to identify and that resolves spontaneously.

However, people who feel their mouth burning for no apparent reason and for a long time may be experiencing burning mouth syndrome. This syndrome produces burning that spreads to the tongue and other areas of the oral cavity.

Even the person who suffers from it may experience a loss of sense of taste. Burning is also often accompanied by numbness and dryness. It usually happens daily and gets worse during the day. In fact, in some cases it is constant, and in others intermittent.

The causes for which the mouth burns in these people are divided into primary and secondary. Burning mouth syndrome is considered primary when all the causes for which this sensation may be occurring have been ruled out, such as other pathologies.

Meanwhile, the syndrome is considered secondary when there is another disease or situation that causes it. For example, certain medications. Many cause dryness and a burning sensation in your mouth. In addition, we find other causes such as:

• Situations of stress or anxiety.
• Yeast infections, such as oral yeast infection.
• Certain vitamin and nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of iron.
• Having inappropriate oral cleaning habits. In fact, tongue brushes and rinses can be very harsh and lead to it.
• Some metabolic diseases and gastroesophageal reflux disease. The latter consists of the acidic contents of the stomach reaching the mouth. Being acidic, they end up irritating the oral mucosa.

How can this problem be diagnosed?

This syndrome is very difficult to diagnose. As we have explained, the first thing is to rule out all the secondary causes that can cause it. For this, it is necessary to explain to the doctor in detail all the symptoms and medications that you take.

In addition, blood tests are often ordered. This test allows you to check if you have any hormonal or nutritional alteration that may be causing it. Similarly, allergy tests are very helpful. This is because many times your mouth burns just from certain foods.

On the other hand, to rule out that there is an infection , cultures or biopsies of the oral tissue are usually performed. It is also important to rule out the presence of gastroesophageal reflux, since it is a very common condition.

How can it be treated?

The treatment of this sensation will depend on what is causing it. The priority is to treat the underlying pathology. For example, in cases where it is a response to anxiety or stress, it will be very important to learn to manage this situation.

On the other hand, there are certain medical treatments such as lidocaine-based mouthwashes. Capsaicin, which is a pain reliever, and certain antidepressants are also used. The specialist will be in charge of recommending the best option for each case.

The feeling that your mouth is burning, if it lasts over time, can be somewhat pathological. It is called the burning mouth syndrome, and its appearance is usually secondary to certain pathologies, such as allergy. It is best to go to the doctor so that he can reach a proper diagnosis and treatment.