Burning sensations in the mouth are particularly common in everyday life. It can be associated with many oral diseases when it occurs at the same time as other symptoms. However, there are 15% of elderly patients who will experience a burning sensation in the mouth despite the absence of other visible symptoms. This condition will be part of the stomatodynia that is also called burning mouth syndrome.
Here is a guide that will explain what burning mouth is and its link with stress.
The main cause: Glossodynia or burning tongue syndrome
- What is glossodynia or burning tongue syndrome?
It is characterized by burning sensations of the oral mucosa that occur without apparent medical or dental causes. This sudden onset condition can be serious. It is sometimes referred to as stomatodynia, which refers to the oral cavity, whereas glossodynia refers to the tongue. This type of pathology is generally classified as psychogenic oral paresthesia (which is a disorder of the sense of touch, unpleasant and not painful), but remains poorly understood to this day.
The symptoms of glossodynia
Glossodynia reveals disorders that are localized in the tongue on the tip and edges. All symptoms related to this oral problem are accompanied by chronic fatigue. It can be manifested by :
- A burning sensation: It gives you the sensation of having your mouth "scalded" and your lips burning. It most commonly affects the tongue but also the lips, gums, palate, throat or mouth;
- A feeling of dry mouth: You have the sensation of a particularly dry throat and increased thirst;
- Loss of taste or changes in taste: you have the perception of a bitter or metallic taste. It is most often a peppery taste in the mouth with a "stinging mouth" sensation;
Other causes of burning mouth
There are a number of other conditions that cause mouth pain. These are generally problems that last over the long term. They should therefore also be carefully monitored:
- A vitamin B12 deficiency: if you have a significant vitamin B12 deficiency, you will develop an ulcer in your mouth otherwise known as a pinprick sensation on your tongue.
- Iron deficiency: If you have an iron deficiency, you need more nutritional supplements. If necessary, he can adjust or replace dentures that cause irritation.
- Diabetes mellitus: Dry mouth due to diabetes will cause discomfort and irritation of the mouth.
- Dry mouth: Dry and red tongue, sometimes with a burning and stinging sensation.
- Use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: A dry cough or tickling sensation in the throat that persists may occur.
- Candidiasis (yeast infection): This is an infection of the oral mucous membranes that causes burning or cotton-like sensations in the mouth, difficulty swallowing and sometimes agueusia, a loss of taste.
- Food or dental allergy: it is generally caused by the ingestion of certain nuts, peanuts, seafood, fish, milk, eggs, wheat but also soy.
The link between burning mouth and stress
Burning mouth syndrome can cause emotional stress. When you feel a strong emotion, you have a dry mouth: salivation decreases and saliva becomes acidic. Gastric reflux also acidifies saliva. Continuous stress therefore promotes tooth decay since it develops more in an acidic environment.
Techniques to treat stress in case of dry mouth
- Propolis breath spray: Propolis has powerful purifying properties, so it will clean your mouth while protecting your teeth and gums. It is thus perfectly ideal in the event of dry mouth and dehydration.
- A mixture of water and sodium bicarbonate: A solution of water with added sodium bicarbonate (dilute 1 teaspoon in a glass of water) can also be used as a wash, mouthwash or gargle. Bicarbonate may reduce the acidity associated with dry mouth.
- Drink only water with meals: Drinking a beverage like water will keep your mouth better hydrated at all times.
- Suck on sugar-free candy: Chewing stimulates the production of saliva. Chewing stimulates the production of saliva, which can be a real relief for people suffering from dry mouth. During meals, it is therefore important to chew your food for a long time before swallowing it.
Treatments to treat stress in case of dry mouth
- Prescribe a drug based on anetholtrithione: you can use sulfarlem for example. This medicine is intended to increase the secretion of bile and saliva. It is used to treat difficult digestion and dry mouth. These are tablets that should be swallowed with a glass of water, half an hour before meals.
- Take peach hydration tablets: they will allow you to hydrate much more in case of extreme dryness of your mouth. The sodium in these lozenges is an essential ingredient for hydration when combined with sugar in the right ratio.
- Take a humectant spray for dry mouth: it provides immediate and long-lasting relief from dry mouth, it moisturizes the dry mouth for more comfort. It also protects the oral mucosa from irritation thanks to the formation of a protective film on the dry tissues and soothes dry mouth, promotes the repair of muco-gingival tissues.
- Use a humectant gel for dry mouth: it is a saliva substitute that contains natural enzymes that promote a balanced oral environment and a specific humectant agent.
You must brush your teeth well in order for the treatment to take effect as quickly as possible. To do so, you can use the Y-Brush toothbrush that takes care of your dental sensitivity.
We hope that this guide has helped you understand what the main cause is that has serious repercussions on your oral health but also your health in general. The other causes are even more serious because they took time to settle. The burning mouth is also directly related to stress because the pain can create some anxiety in you. It is therefore important to try all the techniques that we have advised you in order to reduce the pain. However, it will also be important to use a specific treatment that will manage your pain.
