title: An overview of burning mouth syndrome.
abstract: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterised by the presence of a burning sensation in the oral mucosa in the absence of any clinically apparent mucosal sign. It occurs more commonly in older women and often affects the tongue tip and lateral borders, lips, and hard and soft palates. Besides the burning sensation, patients with BMS may complain of unremitting oral mucosal pain, dysgeusia, and xerostomia. The exact pathophysiology of primary BMS remains unknown. A major challenge for the clinician is the treatment of BMS: identifying possible causative factors is the first step, but BMS is often idiopathic. Drug therapy, in addition to behavioural therapy and psychotherapy, may help to eliminate the symptoms. Considering the growing incidence of BMS in older people, further research is required to determine the true efficacy of current management strategies for patients with this disorder.
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, Second University of Naples; Via L. De Crecchio, 6 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salerno
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, Second University of Naples; Via L. De Crecchio, 6 80138 Naples, Italy, dario.distasio@unina2.it.
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Di Stasio
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinar Department of Medicine, University of Bari, Piazza Umberto I - 70121 Bari (Italy).
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petruzzi
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Department, University of Milan-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48 -20052 Monza (MB), Italy.
authors.forename: Dorina
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lauritano
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, Second University of Naples, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 6, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gentile
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Agostino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Guida
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, Second University of Naples, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 6, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maio
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, Second University of Naples, Via Luigi de Crecchio, 6, 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Mariasofia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tammaro
authors.affiliation: Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Odontostomatological Specialties, Second University of Naples; Via L. De Crecchio, 6 80138 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Serpico
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Surgical and Dental Specialty, Faculty of Medicine, Second University of Naples (SUN), Via De Crecchio 6, 80138, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucchese
mesh_terms: D001596:Benzylamines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002054:Burning Mouth Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D001596:Benzylamines; D002998:Clonazepam; D008012:Lidocaine; C030796:benzylamine; D002211:Capsaicin