Burning tongue
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 excruciating.
Read more on the subject at: Pain under the tongue.
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 lining of the cheeks. A visible sign of injuries or other causes is not always recognizable and sometimes, in addition to the burning sensation on the tongue, other perceptual disorders such as dry mouth, altered taste and a furry feeling of the tongue occur. Increased salivation and / or bad breath and red spots on the tongue can be other symptoms.
The pain can be continuous, i.e. always there, but it can also occur daily and then mainly in the evening.
Read more on this topic:
- Burning tongue
- Burning in the mouth
- Burning at the tip of the tongue
frequency
Burning tongue occurs at about two to three percent of all adults and affects women seven to eight times more often than men. The symptom comes first between the ages of 50 and 70 before, but in almost 16 percent of women the unclear clinical picture occurs between 40 and 49 years, which is why it is often related to the Menopause will be produced.
causes
Often no specific background can be identified through various diagnostics, but there are several possible causes that can explain a burning tongue.
Oral and dental problems are among the most obvious factors, such as ill-fitting dentures that irritate the mouth and tongue. Caries, inflammation of the gums, ulcers of the oral mucosa or the gums, intolerance of the dental prosthesis, allergies, food intolerance or fungal infections of the tongue (thrush) can also trigger such problems.
Furthermore, skin diseases that affect the mouth can trigger a burning sensation in the tongue: the map tongue (Lingua geografica) is noticeable by different sized, red, partly burning flakes with a white border. The fold tongue (Lingua plicata) has a central longitudinal furrow in the upper and middle part of the tongue. Further notches proceed from the depression in the lateral direction. The clinical pictures differ greatly from person to person; both have a genetic cause in common. Burning your tongue makes them very annoying and painful, but in principle they are harmless. But you should be careful and consult a doctor with changes in the tongue and oral mucosa, as these can sometimes hide a cancer.
Burning of the tongue is often a symptom of another major disease, such as hormonal disorders of the thyroid gland or diseases of the metabolism such as type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Often, reflux can be the underlying disease and also autoimmune diseases such as Lupus erythematosus, Scleroderma, Sjörgren's syndrome or amyloidosis are causes of glossodynia.
Another factor is a vitamin deficiency. For example, an anemia with a 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 cranial nerves that supply the tongue with sensitivity). Trigeminal or glossopharyngeal neuralgia are possible causes of glossodynia.
It should not be overlooked that a diagnosed depression can also be another reason.
Read about this too Pain at the tip of the tongue
Diagnosis
You need patience for the diagnosis, because only after excluding all other diseases, the diagnosis is allowed burning mouth syndrome be asked.
The most important thing in advance is one good medical history, which discusses possible causes of the burning sensation in the tongue. There will be questions about the nutrition and the Hormonal fluctuations, of Lifestyle, of the Pre-existing illness, as well as after infections. Only after a suspected diagnosis are the corresponding examinations such as Blood samplingto after Vitamin deficiency or one Autoimmune disease to search. There are other causes Referring to a specialistwho will initiate further diagnostic steps. At Skin disorders the dermatologist will do a visual diagnosis Smear under the microscope make and, for example, plant a mushroom culture.
therapy
Depending on which Underlying disease is present, will treated accordingly. If there is a problem in the dental area, the dentist will of course take care of it and try the problem like an intolerance to that Prosthetic material to eliminate. Then the burning should be tongue slow down and then go back completely or partially.
