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Dry mouth (xerostomia).
This condition can be related to use of certain medications,
including tricyclic antidepressants, central nervous system
depressants, lithium, diuretics and medications used to treat high
blood pressure. It can also occur with aging or Sjogren's syndrome,
an autoimmune disease that causes dry mouth and eyes.
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Other oral
conditions.
Oral yeast infection (thrush) is a common cause of a burning mouth
that may also occur with other causes, such as diabetes, denture use
and certain medications. Geographic tongue, a condition that causes
a dry mouth and a sore, patchy tongue, also may be associated with
burning mouth syndrome.
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Psychological factors.
Emotional disorders, particularly depression but also anxiety and
fear of cancer, are often associated with burning mouth syndrome.
Although such problems can cause a burning mouth, they may also
result from it.
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Nutritional
deficiencies.
Being deficient in nutrients, such as iron, zinc, folate (vitamin
B-9), thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), pyridoxine
(vitamin B-6) and cobalamin (vitamin B-12), may affect your oral
tissues and cause a burning mouth.
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Irritating
dentures.
Dentures may place stress on some of the muscles and tissues of your
mouth. The materials used in dentures also may irritate the tissues
in your mouth.
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Nerve
disturbance or damage (neuropathy).
Damage to nerves that control taste and pain in the tongue may also
result in a burning mouth.
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Allergies.
The mouth burning may be due to allergies or reactions to foods,
food flavorings, other food additives, fragrances, dyes or other
substances.
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Reflux of
stomach acid (gastroesophageal reflux disease).
The sour- or bitter-tasting fluid that enters your mouth from your
upper gastrointestinal tract may cause irritation and pain.
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Certain
medications.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, used to treat high
blood pressure, may cause side effects that include a burning mouth.
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Oral
habits.
These include often-unconscious activities such as tongue-thrusting
and teeth-clenching (bruxism), which can irritate your mouth.
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Endocrine
disorders such as diabetes and underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism).
Your oral tissues may react to high blood sugar levels that occur
with diabetes.
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Hormonal
imbalances, such as those associated with menopause.
Burning mouth syndrome occurs most commonly among postmenopausal
women, although it affects many other people as well. Changes in
hormones may affect the composition of your saliva.
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Excessive
irritation.
Irritation of the oral tissues may result from excessive brushing of
your tongue, overuse of mouthwashes or consuming too many acidic
drinks.
