Burning Mouth and Tongue
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THIS IS AN ODD condition that I've encountered a number of times among my patients who complain of a hot, burning feeling in the mouth and on the tongue. While it may seem like a small matter, it can be quite troubling to sufferers.
There are a number of causes for a burning mouth--or glossodynia, which means "tongue pain"--and you have to find the one that triggers your problem by a process of elimination. Here are tire major causes:
In my experience, one of the most common cause is food allergies. I've had a number of patients who have had dramatic results in eliminating their symptoms once they've eliminated hidden food allergies.
Some people can develop sensitivities to mouthwash and toothpaste, and this can cause burning mouth. Try brushing your teeth with plain baking soda and eliminating the use of mouthwash altogether for a while to see if symptoms are relieved.
Dental amalgam fillings can cause a reaction in some people. If your symptoms began shortly after having dental work done, particularly if you've had fillings that contain amalgam, you should discuss the problem with your dentist.
Smoking can cause the symptoms of a burning mouth and tongue. Of course there are plenty of reasons to stop smoking, but maybe a burning mouth could be the one reason that gets you to stop.
Some people develop a burning mouth in response to alcohol. If you drink regularly, try eliminating alcohol entirely to see if that relieves your symptoms.
Dental plaque and poorly fitting dentures can cause a burning mouth. Also, if you wear dentures, the adhesive can cause a reaction in some people. Visit your dentist for a thorough cleaning and checkup.
Some medications can cause glossodynia. If you are taking any medications regularly, check with your doctor to see if a burning mouth can be a side effect.
Finally, there are vitamin and mineral deficiencies that can contribute to this problem. I'll simply list below the vitamins and minerals you should be taking.
NATURAL PRESCRIPTION FOR BURNING MOUTH AND TONGUE
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- Investigate food allergies to see if they are the cause of the problem. See Food Allergy page 146.
- To see if your toothpaste is causing the symptoms, brush using only baking soda for a few days.
- Eliminate the use of mouthwash (see Bad Breath on page 49 for a fuller discussion of mouthwash problems).
- Stop smoking.
- Eliminate the use of alcohol for a few weeks to see if symptoms are related to that.
- Visit your dentist for a thorough cleaning, as plaque can sometimes cause these symptoms.
- If you wear dentures, have the fit checked and change the brand of adhesive you use, because some adhesives can cause reactions in sensitive people.
- If you have numerous amalgam fillings, or if you've recently had dental work done that includes fillings, you should discuss the possibility that your fillings are causing your symptoms. This is controversial, but some dentists are willing to allow for this possibility.
- If you take any medications regularly, check with your doctor to see if they could be causing your symptoms.
IN ADDITION TO YOUR DAILY SUPPLEMENTS TAKE:
- iron: 60 mg. daily (after checking with your doctor to see if you need it).
- B12:1,000 meg. dissolved under the tongue daily.
- Folic acid: 800 meg. daily.
- Zinc: 50 mg. daily.
IN ADDITION: Some patients with burning mouth and tongue are helped with injections of B12, liver, and folic acid. You should discuss this with your doctor.
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