Information About Common Oral Conditions

Burning Mouth Syndrome

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a benign condition that presents as a burning sensation in the absence of any obvious findings in the mouth and in the absence of abnormal blood tests. BMS affects around 2% of the population with women being up to seven times more likely to be diagnosed than men.

Dry Mouth

The many causes of dry mouth, combined with its variable severity, mandate that treatment be individually tailored to fit each patient’s situation. When the oral dryness is caused by a medication, there is a possibility the condition may improve as the body adjusts to the medicine.

Oral Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is a disease that can affect the skin and any lining mucosa. This could be the oral, esophageal, vaginal mucosa as well as the skin. Often, it is found only in the oral cavity. Overall, lichen planus affects approximately 2 percent of the population. Although the disorder may occur in all age groups, women over the age 50 years are most commonly affected.