Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) – colloquially called burning mouth and tongue syndrome – (synonyms: Glossalgia, glossodynia, glossopyrosis; stomatopyrosis; ICD-10-GM K14.6: glossodystrophy) is characterized by insensitivity of the tongue or oral mucosa, including the lips. It also includes discomfort such as itching or tingling in the mouth.
Burning mouth syndrome counts as orofacial pain syndrome.
No changes in the tongue or oral mucosa can be identified in burning mouth syndrome, as this term refers exclusively to the idiopathic form. The diseases listed under differential diagnoses must be ruled out before making a diagnosis of burning mouth syndrome.If disease is present as the cause of burning mouth, it is referred to as secondary BMS. Before making a diagnosis of primary BMS – the actual burning mouth syndrome – secondary BMS should always be ruled out.
Primary BMS, which is associated with burning and pain of the mucosa, usually persists for more than 4 to 6 months and occurs almost daily.
Sex ratio: Women are affected significantly more often than men (3.5-13: 1).
Frequency peak: The disease occurs predominantly between the 45th and 50th year of life.
The prevalence (disease frequency) is about 5 % (in Germany); worldwide 0.7-15 %.
Course and prognosis: Burning mouth syndrome can occur as an accompanying symptom of general diseases or also in the case of changes in the oral mucosa. The burning sensation is usually felt in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, in the anterior part of the hard palate, and in the lower lips. As the day progresses, the discomfort usually increases. During eating, the insensations improve. Often there are parallel disturbances of the taste sensation as well as the salivation.
Comorbidities (concomitant diseases): most patients with BMS also have psychological or psychiatric disorders (anxiety, depression).
