Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome is characterised by a burning-like sensation of the oral mucosal. The aetiology of this disorder is likely to reflect neurological change associated with psychological stress. Local factors are unlikely to be of aetiological relevance although associations with oral fungal carriage have been previously proposed. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of oral carriage of candidal carriage in patients with burning mouth syndrome. The study comprised a retrospective analysis of the mycological investigation of patients with burning mouth syndrome compared with individuals with other oral mucosal disorders. The frequency of carriage, and oral load of candida species were not significantly increased in patients with burning mouth syndrome. Patients with clinical signs of probable fungal infection, or xerostomia did have increased carriage of candida species. It is concluded that there is no association between burning mouth syndrome and local fungal infection. The analysis should help shed some light on Burning Mouth Syndrome,and should be especially useful to professionals in Oral Pathology and Medicine field.