Burning Mouth Syndrome: An Enigma to the Diagnostician

Burning mouth syndrome is an enigmatic condition because the intensity of symptoms rarely corresponds to the clinical signs of the disease. It is a burning or stinging sensation affecting the oral mucosa, lips and/or tongue in absence of clinically visible mucosal lesions. There is strong female predilection. Affected patients often present with multiple oral symptoms including burning, dry mouth, pain and taste alterations. The etiology is multifactorial and remains poorly understood. Burning mouth syndrome is a challenge to diagnose and manage. The present article discusses some of the recent understanding of etiopathogenesis of BMS as well as the role of pharmacotherapeutic management in this disorder.