Most people do not give much thought to their sense of taste until an issue arises. With primary burning mouth syndrome (BMS), a person will experience general oral discomfort with no identifiable cause (secondary BMS results from health issues like acid reflex or oral infections). Common BMS symptoms include:
People with BMS type 1 do not typically experience any symptoms immediately after they wake up. Instead, symptoms will gradually occur and worsen throughout the day and into the night.
Doctors do not fully understand why primary BMS occurs, though its occurrence is higher in pre- and post-menopausal women, as well as people with psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety. While there is no direct treatment for the condition, medication can help manage symptoms and boost comfort.
Over-the-counter pain medications relieve discomfort without the risks associated with prescription pain killers. Research shows that some people benefit from antidepressants or anti-seizure drugs, which have applications beyond treating seizure disorders. While not technically medication, saliva substitutes increase moisture to ease dry mouth.
Along with medication, there are certain things you can do to get instant relief from BMS type 1, including:
While it might not work for everyone, researchers also found that some people with BMS successfully treated their symptoms via a homemade solution consisting of water and hot sauce, which may cause mild numbing to the mouth due to the capsaicin.