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Burning Mouth Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes and What Helps

Burning mouth syndrome causes a burning, scalding or tingling feeling in a mouth that looks normal. Here is who gets it, which other causes are checked first, how it is managed and what you can do yourself.

Updated September 2026·By the OHA editorial team·8 min read·How we write
Key takeaways
  • Burning mouth syndrome causes a burning, scalding or tingling feeling in the mouth, most often on the tongue, even though the mouth looks normal.
  • It is more common in women, especially around or after the menopause. UK hospital leaflets say it is not mouth cancer and is not contagious.
  • Other conditions can cause a burning mouth, including a dry mouth, thrush, acid reflux, low iron or B vitamins, diabetes, thyroid problems and some medicines, so these are checked first.
  • There is no single test and no cure, but treating any cause, some prescribed medicines, psychological support and self-help may ease symptoms.
  • Start with your dentist. Sipping cold water, sucking ice, and avoiding spicy or acidic food, alcohol, tobacco and alcohol-based mouthwash may help.

The US National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) describes burning mouth syndrome (BMS) as a painful condition often felt as a burning, scalding or tingling feeling in the mouth, frequently every day, for months or longer. The Oral Health Foundation says it is sometimes called glossodynia, and that the mouth can feel painful or burning even though it looks normal.

What does it feel like?

The NIDCR says the burning can happen anywhere in the mouth but is more common on the tip, sides and top of the tongue, the roof of the mouth and the lips. The Oral Health Foundation adds the gums, the inside of the cheeks or the whole mouth. Other symptoms can include:

  • tingling or numbness (NIDCR, Oral Health Foundation)
  • a dry mouth (NIDCR, Oral Health Foundation)
  • a changed taste, such as a metallic taste (NIDCR) or a bitter one (Oral Health Foundation)

The pattern varies. The NIDCR says some people have constant pain, while for others it is low after waking and builds through the day; for many, eating or drinking eases it for a while. The Oral Health Foundation says symptoms may ease at night, or come and go. University College London Hospitals (UCLH) says some people find talking, hot or spicy food and stress make it worse.

Although it feels hot, the Oral Health Foundation says the mouth is not hot to the touch and often shows no redness or damage.

Who gets it?

The NIDCR says it is more common in women, especially after the menopause. The Oral Health Foundation says anyone can develop it, but it is more common in middle-aged and older adults, especially menopausal women. East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust says it is most common in adults over 60 and in women after the menopause.

Estimates of how common it is vary. UCLH says it may affect up to about 4.5% of people. A Cochrane review (a summary of the research) gives a range of 0.1% to 3.9% of the general population. Cambridge University Hospitals says up to one in three older women report a burning feeling in the mouth, but that counts the symptom, which has other causes too, not BMS itself.

What causes it?

The cause is not fully understood. The NIDCR says it is thought to be caused by damage to the nerves in the mouth that control pain and taste. The Oral Health Foundation explains that the nerves' messages to the brain may be misread as pain or burning, and describes BMS as neuropathic (nerve-related) pain. It says there may be more than one cause, including hormonal changes and stress, anxiety or depression.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust separates primary BMS, which has no identifiable cause, from secondary BMS, which has one, such as a medicine or a dry mouth. For the possible link with hormones, see menopause and oral health.

Which other causes are checked first?

Before diagnosing BMS, a dentist or doctor looks for other conditions that can make the mouth burn. The NIDCR and the Oral Health Foundation list:

  • a dry mouth, which the NIDCR says can be caused by some medicines, conditions such as Sjögren's or treatments such as radiotherapy
  • oral thrush, a fungal infection
  • acid reflux
  • low levels of iron or B vitamins; the Oral Health Foundation names vitamin B12 and folic acid
  • diabetes or thyroid problems
  • some medicines; the NIDCR gives blood pressure medicines as an example (see medicines that affect your mouth)
  • reactions to toothpastes, mouthwashes, dental materials (usually metals) or foods
  • poorly fitting dentures, or sensitivity to denture materials (Oral Health Foundation)
  • anxiety, depression and stress (NIDCR)
  • habits such as frequent tongue movements (NIDCR)

How is it diagnosed?

The Oral Health Foundation says there is no single test. The NIDCR advises talking to your dentist first. Your dentist or doctor will review your medical history and examine your mouth for tooth and gum problems, infections or irritation (NIDCR), and check any dentures (Oral Health Foundation). Tests may include blood tests, mouth swabs, allergy tests, tests of how much saliva you make, and imaging (NIDCR).

If no dental cause is found, the Oral Health Foundation says you may be referred to your doctor. The NIDCR says your dentist may refer you to a specialist in oral medicine, oral surgery or oral pathology, or to an ear, nose and throat specialist. BMS is diagnosed once other causes have been ruled out (UCLH, East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust), so it can take time.

Cambridge University Hospitals says worrying about mouth cancer is common in people with BMS, and a thorough examination and any tests can reassure you.

How is it treated?

The NIDCR says what works for one person may not work for another, so you may need to try different treatments over time.

  • Treating a cause. Treatment depends on the cause (Oral Health Foundation). Options include treating a dry mouth or infection, adjusting or replacing dentures, supplements if levels are low, and changing a medicine. Cambridge University Hospitals says hormone replacement therapy has not been shown to improve symptoms, and nor have vitamins if your blood tests are normal.
  • Medicines for nerve pain. The NIDCR says some medicines used for anxiety, depression and other nerve conditions can help by calming overactive nerves. The Oral Health Foundation mentions low-dose antidepressants, and Guy's and St Thomas' says medicines such as nortriptyline or gabapentin might help some people, although there is not always a medical solution. These are prescription medicines; a Cochrane review found dizziness and drowsiness were more likely with antidepressants.
  • Psychological support. UCLH says cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT, a talking therapy) for pain management has been shown to be very effective, and that being referred to a psychologist does not mean your pain is not believed. Guy's and St Thomas' offers a group course based on acceptance and commitment therapy. The Oral Health Foundation says relaxation such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga or hypnotherapy helps some people.

The research is limited. A Cochrane review, with evidence up to the end of 2015, found only very low-quality evidence for every treatment it looked at, and could not prove or disprove that any of them work. It found no long-term benefit from dietary supplements, and one supplement (alpha lipoic acid) made headaches and upset stomachs more likely.

The NIDCR says BMS can last months or years. Guy's and St Thomas' says the symptoms can fade significantly over time for some people.

What can I do myself?

The NIDCR, the Oral Health Foundation and East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust suggest:

  • sipping cold water or drinks, sucking ice chips, or chewing sugar-free gum
  • avoiding tobacco, alcohol and mouthwashes that contain alcohol
  • avoiding hot, spicy or acidic food and drink, such as citrus fruit and juice

The Oral Health Foundation suggests keeping a record of symptoms, triggers and treatments you have tried, to help your dental team or doctor. UCLH suggests exercise, yoga or meditation if stress makes your symptoms worse, and gradually returning to activities you enjoy. If the symptoms are affecting your mood, speak to your doctor (Oral Health Foundation). See also mental health and oral health.

When to see a dentist or GP
  • Your mouth or tongue keeps burning, tingling or feeling scalded: start with your dental team (Oral Health Foundation, NIDCR).
  • You wear dentures and your mouth burns: your dentist can check them (Oral Health Foundation).
  • You also have a lump, a red or white patch, or an ulcer that has not healed. The NHS says see a GP or dentist about an ulcer lasting more than 3 weeks; the Australian Dental Association and the NIDCR say 2 weeks. See mouth cancer.
  • You already have BMS and notice sudden changes, such as new sores or bleeding (Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals).
  • The symptoms are affecting your mood or daily life: speak to your doctor (Oral Health Foundation, UCLH).

Frequently asked questions

Is burning mouth syndrome a sign of mouth cancer?

No. Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals and Guy's and St Thomas' say BMS is not mouth cancer and is not contagious. But get a lump, a red or white patch, or an ulcer that does not heal checked, whether or not your mouth burns.

Will it go away?

It can last for months or years (NIDCR, Oral Health Foundation), but Guy's and St Thomas' says the symptoms can fade significantly for some people over time. The Oral Health Foundation says many people find ways to manage their symptoms and carry on with daily life.

Will vitamins or HRT cure it?

Supplements can help if tests show you are low in something (Oral Health Foundation). Cambridge University Hospitals says hormone replacement therapy has not been shown to improve symptoms, and nor have vitamins if your blood tests are normal.

Sources

  1. Burning mouth syndrome, NIH National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, accessed September 2026
  2. Burning mouth syndrome, Oral Health Foundation, accessed September 2026
  3. Burning mouth syndrome, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, accessed September 2026
  4. Burning mouth syndrome, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, accessed September 2026
  5. Burning mouth syndrome support, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, accessed September 2026
  6. Burning mouth syndrome (leaflet 0919), East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, accessed September 2026
  7. Oral surgery leaflet: burning mouth syndrome (BMS), Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, accessed September 2026
  8. Interventions for treating burning mouth syndrome, Cochrane, accessed September 2026
  9. Symptoms of mouth cancer, NHS, accessed September 2026
  10. Oral cancer, Australian Dental Association, accessed September 2026
  11. Oral cancer, NIH National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, accessed September 2026

This article is general information about oral health. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a dentist or doctor who knows your situation. If you have pain, swelling, bleeding that does not settle, or a problem that is getting worse, see a dental professional. In an emergency, contact your local emergency service.

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