Synonyms
burning mouth syndrome, chronic oral pain syndrome, glossodynia
Definition
Burning of the tongue is a sensation of pain on the tongue and in the mouth, which is mainly described as dull and agonizing. On the tongue, this pain often occurs at the tip or the edges of the tongue, but rarely at the base of the tongue. The burning sensation can also spread to the lips and the mucous membranes of the cheeks.
A visible sign of injury or other causes is not always apparent and sometimes, in addition to the burning sensation on the tongue, other perceptual disorders occur such as dry mouth, altered taste sensation and a furry feeling of the tongue. Increased salivation and/or bad breath and red spots on the tongue can be further symptoms. The pain can be continuous, i.e. always present, but can also occur during the day and then especially in the evening.
Frequency
Tongue burning occurs in about two to three percent of all adults and affects women seven to eight times more often than men. The symptom occurs mainly between the ages of 50 and 70, but in almost 16 percent of women the unclear clinical picture occurs between the ages of 40 and 49, which is why a connection is often made with menopause.
Causes
Often no concrete background can be identified by various diagnostics, but there are several possible causes that can explain tongue burning. Mouth and tooth problems are among the most obvious factors, such as poorly fitting dentures that irritate the mouth and tongue. Caries, gingivitis, ulcers of the oral mucosa or gums, incompatibility of the dental prosthesis material, allergies, food intolerances or a fungal infection of the tongue (thrush) also cause such problems.
In addition, skin diseases that affect the mouth can cause tongue burning: the map tongue (Lingua geografica) is conspicuous for its differently sized, red, sometimes burning exfoliations with white edges. The folded tongue (Lingua plicata) has a central longitudinal furrow in the upper and middle part of the tongue. Further indentations start from the depression in lateral direction.
Individually, the clinical pictures differ greatly, both have a genetic cause in common. The burning of the tongue is very disturbing and painful, but in principle it is harmless. However, one should be careful and consult a physician with changes in the tongue and the mucous membrane of the mouth, as a cancer can occasionally hide behind these.
Burning of the tongue is often a symptom of another major disease, such as hormonal disorders of the thyroid gland or metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus type 1 or type 2. Often a reflux can be the underlying disease and autoimmune diseases such as lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, Sjörgren’s syndrome or amyloidosis are also causes of glossodynia. Another factor is a vitamin deficiency.
For example, anemia with vitamin B12 deficiency can cause tongue burning. Folic acid or iron deficiency as well as vitamin B2 or B3 deficiency can be associated with a burning mouth syndrome. In addition, one must pay attention to neurological reasons, such as multiple sclerosis and neuropathies (damage to the cranial nerves that supply the tongue sensitively). Trigeminal or glossopharyngeal neuralgia are possible causes of glossodynia. One must not forget that a diagnosed depression can also be another reason.
