Burning Mouth syndrome: clinical aspects and treatment

Abstract

The Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is characterized by an intense burning sensation in the mouth mucosa and on examination an apparent healthy looking can be seen. So, it is classified as a chronic pain syndrome condition that mainly affects approximately 15% of theelderly and middle-aged women. The diagnosis and treatment are often very difficult and often worldwide affecting. Several factors can be possible triggers of this condition and interactions among, systemic, and/or psychogenic factors, such as anxiety, affliction and depression, must be considerate. There are no established treatments and in most cases should be tailored to each patient and may best be managed in a multidisciplinary approach. The BMS etiopathogenesis seems to be complex and is associated withnormal clinical and laboratory findings. It has been considered a multifactor and controversial condition by many studies, which include, local factors, neuropathic, psychological and systemic agents. The BMS diagnosis is mainly clinic. In the manifest of any local injury, the BMS is discarded. The treatment always includes palliative measures, specifically focused on the signs and symptoms expressed by the patient. These peculiarities make the differential diagnosis difficult, especially if the dentist doesn’t have a previous experience in BMS. The aim of this paper isto present a literature review that includes the modalities available of the clinical features of Burning Mouth Syndrome and indicate the procedures that may be useful for diagnosis and therapeutic to increase knowledge for health professionals and benefit on patients treatment to propitiate a better quality of life.