Burning mouth syndrome, shortened to BMS, is persistent or recurring burning pain or discomfort in the mouth without an obvious visible cause after appropriate assessment.
A burning mouth sensation can also be caused by conditions such as oral thrush, dry mouth, nutritional deficiency, medication effects or another medical or dental problem. These need to be considered before primary BMS is diagnosed.
BMS is thought to involve altered nerve processing in some people.
A dentist, GP or oral medicine specialist will examine the mouth and review medicines and medical history.
Tests may be arranged for infection, blood or vitamin deficiency, diabetes, thyroid disease, dry mouth or other causes.
Normal-looking tissues do not mean the symptoms are imagined.
Treatment focuses on any identified cause and on reducing symptoms and distress. No single treatment works for everyone.
A clinician may discuss medicines used for neuropathic pain, saliva support, psychological approaches or pain-management strategies.
Vitamins are only useful when a deficiency has been identified, and treatment choices should be individualised.
Avoid repeatedly checking the mouth or restricting many foods unless they consistently worsen symptoms. Maintain dental care and discuss dry mouth, taste change and nutrition concerns.
Support should validate the pain and address sleep, anxiety and daily function without suggesting the symptoms are imaginary.
Symptoms can be distressing when the mouth looks normal and other people do not understand the impact.
Support for sleep, anxiety, low mood and coping can sit alongside medical treatment. It does not mean the pain is imagined.
If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental-health help that is not an immediate emergency, use NHS 111 and select the mental-health option where available.
Yes. BMS often occurs without visible changes, but examination is still necessary to exclude other causes.
BMS itself is not mouth cancer, but persistent ulcers, lumps or patches must be assessed.
Stress can worsen symptoms, but this does not mean the pain is imaginary or caused solely by anxiety.
Oral medicine services commonly assess it, often working with dentistry, a GP and pain or psychological services.
Other facial pain conditions and useful information
This information is for general guidance and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional.
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