Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist
Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.
See what questions
a doctor would ask.
During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in his assesment of the symptom: Burning mouth. These may include a physical examination or other medical tests. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor may help them with their diagnosis.
Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:
Why: to establish if acute or chronic.
Why: Ill-fitting dentures are a common cause of burning mouth.
Why: nutritional deficiency states can cause burning mouth and sore tongue e.g. folate, Vitamin B2, B6 and B12 deficiency; Recent ingestion of fish such as tuna, mackerel and skipjack, especially if fish is allowed to spoil may cause a poisoning with symptoms including burning mouth; Food allergies or sensitivities may cause burning mouth.
Why: e.g. cancer and HIV infection can predispose to oral candidiasis.
Why: antibiotics and immunosuppressant medications such as cancer drugs and corticosteroids can increase the risk of oral candidiasis.
Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. These may include:
Why: can be associated with a burning sensation in the tongue. Salivary secretion tends to fall with age but may also be caused by certain medications, Sjogren's syndrome, dehydration, anemia, vitamin deficiency, diabetes mellitus, HIV infection and radiation therapy.
Why: burning mouth in diabetic patients can be caused by oral candidiasis.
Why: Hormonal changes occurring during menopause may be associated with burning mouth.
Why: the cause of most cases of burning mouth is unknown. There is a high prevalence of anxiety, depression and reactions to stress suggesting a psychological basis but a causal link has not been clearly established.
What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:
Next articles:
Tools & Services:
Medical Articles:
Search Specialists by State and City
By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.
Copyright © 2010 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 9 February, 2010 (1:28)
