Definition:
Glossodynia, also known as burning mouth syndrome, is a condition wherein burning sensations affect the tongue, lips, or entire mouth.
Diagnosis:
The patient's dentist will inquire about the condition. He will need to know its location, the severity and duration of the glossodynia. He will also perform a check up to see if there are any irritants present in the mouth cavity, which may include broken crowns or teeth, dentures and other possible appliances, and thrush. If there are persistent locations with burning sensation caused by mouth sores, a biopsy should be conducted in order to rule out cancer.
Treatment:
Treatment for the condition varies on the patient, and typically includes topical pain relievers, small doses of antidepressants, benzodiazepine, and anticonvulsant medications, treatment of its possible causes such as vitamin deficiencies or diabetes, and microsurgery on lingual nerve if the condition is caused by nerve damage.
Symptoms and Signs:
The symptoms are generally a burning sensation on the tongue, lips, or entire mouth area.
Causes:
Causes of glossodynia include depression or chronic anxiety, nutritional deficiencies, menopause, type 2 diabetes, damaged nerves due to tooth extraction, or oral disorders such as dry mouth or thrush. It is also associated with other conditions such as allergies, hormone or immune system changes. Tobacco use may also trigger glossodynia.
The burning sensation felt is a result of sodium laurel sulfate, a foaming agent.
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