Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
Chronic burning in your mouth or tongue with no clear cause? You're not alone.
At Advanced TMJ Maxillofacial Pain & Sleep Center in Seattle, we help patients struggling with unexplained oral burning and discomfort—often after being told “everything looks normal.” This condition is known as Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) and can be life-altering without the right care.
What Is Burning Mouth Syndrome?
Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a complex pain condition characterized by a burning, tingling, or scalded feeling in the tongue, lips, roof of the mouth, or the entire oral cavity—without any visible signs of injury or disease.
This condition can be primary (linked to nerve dysfunction) or secondary (triggered by underlying causes such as nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, or dry mouth).
What are the Common Symptoms of BMS?
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Burning sensation in the tongue, lips, palate, or inside cheeks
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Tingling, numbness, or a metallic or bitter taste
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Dry mouth or excessive thirst
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Worsening symptoms throughout the day
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Pain that interferes with eating, speaking, or sleeping
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No visible redness, sores, or signs on oral examination
Who Is Affected?
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Most common in women over 50, especially postmenopausal
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Often associated with hormonal changes, stress, nerve dysfunction, or medication side effects
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Can be triggered by recent dental work, illnesses, or even after a COVID-19 infection
Why Burning Mouth Syndrome Is Misunderstood?
Many patients are told:
“There’s nothing wrong.”
“It’s just stress.”
“Maybe it's in your head.”
Because BMS doesn’t show up on routine exams or imaging, it is often dismissed or misdiagnosed. But the pain is very real—and often linked to neuropathic dysfunction of the oral nerves.
Diagnosis at Our Seattle Specialty Center
We take your symptoms seriously. Dr. Chandrashekhar, an Oral Surgeon and board-certified Orofacial Pain Specialist, performs a comprehensive assessment that may include:
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Detailed symptom history and oral pain mapping
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Neurological screening to identify small-fiber nerve dysfunction
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Blood tests to check for nutritional or hormonal imbalances
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Review of medications and systemic health conditions
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Evaluation for overlapping conditions like dry mouth, candidiasis, or oral allergy syndrome
Treatment Options We Offer
While there is no “one-size-fits-all” cure for BMS, our multimodal treatment approach targets the underlying nerve dysfunction and contributing factors:
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Neuropathic medications
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Supplements
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Topical medication therapies
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Low-Level Laser Therapy (Photobiomodulation) to support nerve healing
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Stress reduction techniques and behavioral support
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Coordination with your primary care, ENT, or endocrinologist when needed
Why Choose Advanced TMJ Maxillofacial Pain & Sleep Center?
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Led by a board-certified Orofacial Pain Specialist with expertise in facial nerve disorders
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Non-invasive, evidence-based treatments tailored to your symptoms
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Compassionate care for invisible pain conditions like BMS
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Serving Seattle, Bellevue, Shoreline, Kent, and surrounding areas
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We accept most medical insurance plans
Struggling with a Burning Tongue or Mouth?
You don’t have to live with burning mouth pain. Let’s find a solution together.
