Do you have diabetes? Have you ever felt like your mouth was on fire? This painful feeling can make you feel as if you’ve scalded your mouth, and can infect your tongue, gums, lips and inside of your cheeks.
According to the Mayo Clinic, this condition is called burning mouth syndrome– it has no noticeable signs, and it can last from months to years. We do now understand that burning mouth syndrome and diabetes can be associated, so it’s easier to detect and treat in diabetics. And it does not need to be a life sentence. Here are the typical causes of burning mouth syndrome and how to treat them.
Possible Causes of Sore Mouth
There are numerous causes of burning mouth syndrome, and some people, such as diabetics and postmenopausal women, are more likely to struggle with it. Inning accordance with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), the most common causes consist of the following:
- Damage to nerves controlling oral senses such as taste
- Hormonal changes
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Fungal infections in the mouth
- Acid reflux
- Dentures that don’t fit correctly
- Anxiety and anxiety
With numerous possible causes, it’s frequently hard to scientifically mention the perpetrator in a lot of cases. Individuals with unchecked or partially managed diabetes can normally limit the most possible causes to dry mouth, oral thrush and sometimes neurological problems. Neuropathy (when nerve damage or weak point occurs to the hands and feet) may result in oral tingling, burning or pain brought on by modifications in the nerves within the oral area too.
Symptoms and Treatments for Burning in the Mouth
Moderate to severe burning in the mouth is one of the main symptoms of this disorder. For lots of people, the burning feeling begins in late early morning, builds to a peak by night, and typically subsides during the night. Some feel the pain continuously, however for others the pain is periodic. Other symptoms can include dryness, discomfort, tingling or numbness on the idea of the tongue or in the mouth, and bitter or metallic changes in taste.
When no underlying cause can be identified, treatments are still offered to target your painful symptoms. These include the following:
- Replacing irritating or uncomfortable dentures.
- Treating existing conditions such as diabetes.
- Advising supplements for nutritional deficiencies.
- Changing medications, when possible.
- Recommending medications to ease dry mouth, oral candidiasis, control nerve damage pain, and to ease anxiety and depression.
Burning Mouth Syndrome and Diabetes
So how are burning mouth syndrome and diabetes related? Diabetics are more susceptible to oral infections such as dry mouth because of certain medications that zap the natural wetness that keeps the mouth tidy of bacteria. They may also quickly establish vascular modifications that affect the small capillary in the mouth, reducing the limit for pain.
Just like any diabetic, keeping blood sugar level levels is essential, and can assist battle symptoms or keep it from happening completely. These enhancements in glycemic control play a significant function in decreasing the occurrence of dry mouth and candidiasis, enabling you to concentrate on your daily regimen without these undesirable oral complications.
Tips to Ease Burning Mouth Syndrome for Diabetics
To help alleviate the pain of burning mouth syndrome, the NIDCR recommends the following:
- Drinking water frequently.
- Sucking on ice chips.
- Chewing sugarless gum.
- Preventing alcohol and tobacco products.
- Preventing irritating products such as hot or hot foods, alcoholic mouthwashes and extremely acidic fruits and juices.
You ought to consider changing your toothpaste and/or mouthwash to assist handle or prevent your burning mouth syndrome.
Unfortunately, the reason for burning mouth syndrome frequently cannot be determined. Although this makes it more difficult to treat, you can still take control of the condition by following the above tips and the instructions of your doctor. Talk with your dental expert and doctor about the actions you can require to decrease the issues associated with burning mouth syndrome.