Overview
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS), also known as glossodynia, stomatodynia, or oral dysesthesia, is a condition that causes a burning, scalding, or tingling sensation in the mouth without any visible sores or obvious cause. The burning feeling most commonly affects the tongue, but it can also involve the lips, gums, roof of the mouth, throat, or the entire mouth. The pain can range from mild to severe and may come and go or be constant throughout the day. Many people describe the sensation as feeling like they scalded their mouth with a hot drink. Some also experience dry mouth, altered taste (such as a metallic or bitter flavor), or numbness. BMS is divided into two types. Primary BMS has no identifiable underlying cause and may be related to problems with the nerves that control pain and taste. Secondary BMS can be triggered by other conditions such as dry mouth, nutritional deficiencies (especially B vitamins, iron, or zinc), oral infections like thrush, acid reflux, hormonal changes (particularly during menopause), allergies to dental materials, certain medications, or psychological factors like anxiety and depression. The condition predominantly affects middle-aged and older adults, especially postmenopausal women. Treatment depends on the underlying cause when one can be found. Options include saliva replacement products, certain antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, anticonvulsants like clonazepam, alpha-lipoic acid supplements, and cognitive behavioral therapy. While BMS can be persistent and frustrating, it is not dangerous and does not lead to serious complications. Many patients find relief with proper management, though the condition may take time to improve.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Burning or scalding sensation on the tongueBurning feeling on the lips, gums, or roof of the mouthDry mouth despite normal saliva productionMetallic or bitter taste in the mouthLoss of taste or altered tasteTingling or numbness in the mouthSoreness or pain throughout the mouthIncreased thirstPain that worsens throughout the dayDifficulty eating spicy or acidic foodsFeeling of mouth drynessPain that may temporarily improve while eating or drinking
Clinical phenotype terms (17)— hover any for plain English
Multifactorial
Caused by a mix of several genes and environmental factors
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
9 eventsMirati Therapeutics Inc. — PHASE2
Malmö University — NA
University of Massachusetts, Amherst — EARLY_PHASE1
Lu Jiang — NA
Federal University of Minas Gerais — PHASE4
University of Pennsylvania
Weill Medical College of Cornell University — PHASE2
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center — PHASE1, PHASE2
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Burning mouth syndrome.
4 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Burning mouth syndrome.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Burning mouth syndrome.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Burning mouth syndrome
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Pan Tumor Rollover Study
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Burning mouth syndrome
New recruiting trial: Burning Mouth Syndrome: Symptoms and Management
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Burning mouth syndrome
New recruiting trial: Effect of Treatments on Pain and Quality of Life in Individual With Burning Mouth Syndrome
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Burning mouth syndrome
New recruiting trial: Reducing Patient Memory Recall in the Burning Mouth Patient Population
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Burning mouth syndrome
New trial: National Exhaustive Cohort of Hereditary Stomatocytoses and Other Channelopathies Affecting the Red
Phase NA trial recruiting.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Could my burning mouth symptoms be caused by an underlying condition like a nutritional deficiency, infection, or hormonal change?,What tests do you recommend to rule out secondary causes of my symptoms?,What treatment options are available, and what are the potential side effects?,How long should I try a treatment before we know if it is working?,Are there any foods, drinks, or oral care products I should avoid?,Should I see any other specialists, such as a neurologist or oral medicine doctor?,Can you recommend any strategies for managing the emotional impact of chronic mouth pain?
Common questions about Burning mouth syndrome
What is Burning mouth syndrome?
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS), also known as glossodynia, stomatodynia, or oral dysesthesia, is a condition that causes a burning, scalding, or tingling sensation in the mouth without any visible sores or obvious cause. The burning feeling most commonly affects the tongue, but it can also involve the lips, gums, roof of the mouth, throat, or the entire mouth. The pain can range from mild to severe and may come and go or be constant throughout the day. Many people describe the sensation as feeling like they scalded their mouth with a hot drink. Some also experience dry mouth, altered taste (such
How is Burning mouth syndrome inherited?
Burning mouth syndrome follows a multifactorial inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Burning mouth syndrome typically begin?
Typical onset of Burning mouth syndrome is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Burning mouth syndrome?
Yes — 4 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Burning mouth syndrome on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Burning mouth syndrome?
25 specialists and care centers treating Burning mouth syndrome are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.