What are the signs and symptoms of burning mouth syndrome ?  

Possible causes include nutritional deficiencies, chronic anxiety or depression, type 2 diabetes, menopause, oral disorders such as thrush or dry mouth, or damaged nerves (specifically, cranial nerves associated with taste).

One cause of burning mouth syndrome and associated disorders is the foaming agent in many toothpastes, sodium lauryl sulfate, a surfactant commonly used in household products. There are now several toothpastes on the market specifically without this additive.

This conditions appears more often in women, specifically women after menopause, than men. Pain typically is low or nonexistent in the morning and builds up over the course of the day.

Answered by Vinay Kiran , an ibibo Specialist, at 5:48 PM on August 08, 2008

Symptoms of burning mouth syndrome include:

* A burning sensation that may affect your tongue, lips, gums, palate, throat or whole mouth
* A tingling or numb sensation in your mouth or on the tip of your tongue
* Mouth pain that worsens as the day progresses
* A sensation of dry mouth
* Increased thirst
* Sore mouth
* Loss of taste
* Taste changes, such as a bitter or metallic taste

The pain from burning mouth syndrome typically has several different patterns. It may occur every day, with little pain when you wake but becoming worse as the day progresses. Or it may start as soon as you wake up and last all day. Or pain may come and go, and you may even have some entirely pain-free days.

Answered by alok , an ibibo Master, at 4:32 PM on August 08, 2008