Mouth Feel Like It's on Fire? Here's How To Relieve the Pain Fast
What is burning mouth syndrome (BMS)?
Burning mouth syndrome is a recurring daily burning sensation inside the mouth lasting more than two hours per day for more than three months—with the lining of the mouth appearing normal and without any other identifiable cause, reveals Kathryn Jones, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine graduate student, who researches BMS.
While doctors first described the condition 150 years ago, it wasn't until 2004 when it was finally categorized as a distinct syndrome, adds Grigoriy E. Gurvits, MD, Professor of Medicine and gastroenterologist at NYU Langone. 'The main triad of symptoms are pain, dry mouth and an altered sense of taste.' He adds that burning of the tongue or lining of the mouth is also common.
These sensations tend to get worse in the evening and can be quite debilitating, he continues, explaining that this may be because people are typically more tired at night, which can make pain more acute.
'This is a complex condition whose root cause is not yet fully understood—but one word that has been used a lot in recent research to describe it is psychoneuroendocrinological,' says Jones. We bet even Noah Wylie on The Pitt couldn't say that three times fast. It's a mouthful for a reason, reflecting the multifactorial nature of BMS: psychological, neurological and endocrinological (involving hormones).
Instant relief for burning mouth syndrome
Here, Jones and Dr. Gurvits suggest proven strategies to ease the pain of burning mouth syndrome fast:
Pop a stick of gum
Chewing gum is one way to get instant relief from burning mouth syndrome because it helps prod saliva production, which acts like a fire hose to put out the burning, notes Jones. 'I've also read personal testimonials of people who suck on a piece of dried fruit to help activate saliva and get that lubrication going.' She recommends choosing gum that contains Xylitol because it has the added benefit of tamping down harmful oral bacteria. One option: Xylichew.
Suck on an ice cube
No mystery why this strategy freezes out pain. But if an ice cube is too frigid, try softening the 'brr' a bit by drinking a glass of cold water. Indeed, Dr. Gurvits recommends his patients keep a glass by their bedside at night for instant relief from burning mouth syndrome.
Consider a tongue protector
This remedy is specifically for patients who have tongue-thrusting habits that exacerbate burning mouth syndrome symptoms, notes Jones. 'Research shows improved pain scores in patients who wore the tongue protector for 15 minutes, three times a day.' Talk to your dentist or medical professional to learn if this option may be right for you.
Try the proven Rx + supplement combo
The prescription medication Neurontin (generic name: gabapentin) has been shown to calm nerve activity and reduce pain in patients with burning mouth syndrome, reveals Dr. Gurvits. Boost the benefits by taking it in conjunction with the powerful antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). 'Taking 300 mg of Neurontin in combination with 600 mg of the over-the-counter supplement is shown to improve symptoms and reduce pain in two-thirds of patients,' he says.
One caveat: Neurontin can make you sleepy, which is why Dr. Gurvits tells his patients to take it in the evening. That works out well because, as he noted above, BMS pain tends to worsen at night.
Swap your toothpaste
Toothpastes that contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), can worsen symptoms of burning mouth syndrome, he reveals. 'I advise my patients to try a toothpaste free of this preservative—it may help a little bit.' Otolaryngologist Melissa A. Scholes, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief, Children's Hospital of Mississippi agrees, and suggests trying a 'non-detergent based' toothpaste like Tom's of Maine or Davids.
Does HRT relieve burning mouth syndrome?
Since burning mouth syndrome is most common in post-menopausal women, it would make sense to think hormone replacement therapy (HRT) might help ease symptoms. But, unfortunately, the evidence just isn't there, says Dr. Gurvits. 'It's always worth trying, but HRT most likely won't work because it's just too late [in post-menopause] to take effect.'
The bottom line on BMS: There is hope and treatment
'I think it's important to stress that if someone feels their provider isn't listening to them, to find someone who has some knowledge of up-to-date treatment and is willing to be aggressive with therapies,' encourages Dr. Scholes.
'Consider an oral surgeon or homeopathic provider as well. Often burning mouth syndrome is ignored and under-treated, especially in 'women of a certain age,'' she says ironically, acknowledging the 'ickiness' of that term. The good news? 'It usually is self-limiting, meaning it typically resolves itself—it does get better.'
More ways to ease menobothers:
Tired of Waking up Drenched in Sweat? Here's How To Stop Night Sweats and Block Them From Returning
What Are Some Early Signs of Menopause? Doctors Share Symptoms That Manifest Sooner Than Expected
Dr. Anna Cabeca: These Are the Superfoods That Help Shrink a Menopause Belly
This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dionysus Health and Mammha Announce Groundbreaking Partnership to Transform Postpartum Depression Care Through Precision Diagnostics and Comprehensive Support
SAN DIEGO, CA - July 30, 2025 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) - Dionysus Health, the molecular diagnostics company behind myLuma(TM), and Mammha, a leading provider of accessible, full-spectrum perinatal mental health care, today announced a groundbreaking partnership to fundamentally reshape how postpartum depression (PPD) is predicted, prevented, and treated. This first-of-its-kind collaboration combines myLuma(TM) - the first predictive prenatal blood test for postpartum depression risk - with Mammha's clinician-designed care platform, delivering the most complete and proactive maternal mental health solution on the market. myLuma(TM) is the first clinically validated molecular diagnostic that predicts a woman's risk of PPD with 85% accuracy from a simple third-trimester blood draw. This allows providers to intervene as early as 28 weeks into pregnancy - weeks to months before symptoms may appear. Combined with Mammha's full continuum of care, the partnership ensures mothers are not only identified early but supported throughout their entire maternal journey. "This partnership brings together scientific innovation and clinical care to deliver a true end-to-end solution," said Dr. Andrea Cubitt, CEO of Dionysus Health. "myLuma(TM) provides the critical early warning system through molecular diagnostics, while Mammha ensures timely care delivery. We're moving from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, from uncertainty to precision, and from fragmented efforts to coordinated care." "We created Mammha to fill the gaps in the perinatal healthcare system that parents have been falling through for much too long," said Maureen Fura, CEO of Mammha. "Partnering with Dionysus Health gives us the predictive power we've always dreamed of having, so that we can intervene early and effectively." Why This Matters Now Postpartum depression is one of the most urgent and preventable maternal health crises: PPD contributes to almost 1 in 4 maternal deaths 75% of affected women receive no treatment The U.S. spends over $17 billion annually addressing the consequences 96% of U.S. counties face mental health provider shortages Only 33% of providers screen for perinatal depression (HEDIS) "We're solving for OB providers, health systems, and mothers," said Alisa Marie Beyer, COO of Dionysus Health. "While screening tools remain essential for identifying current symptoms, until now there's been no biological diagnostic for PPD to predict risk before symptoms emerge. This partnership brings predictive data and enhanced support tools to enable proactive prevention, earlier intervention, and better outcomes for everyone involved." Next Steps for Launch and Growth The integrated myLuma solution is projected to kick-off in September 2025 with a pilot program involving multiple OB providers across California and Florida, aiming for 100 completed patient tests per month. It is anticipated to grow the pilot to an additional 50 OB providers. The full-scale launch is planned for January 2026, targeting 100 provider offices and serving over 1,000 women monthly. Dionysus Health is currently managing a growing waitlist of providers and patients ahead of the national rollout. About Dionysus Health is a molecular diagnostics company focused on maternal mental health breakthroughs. The company developed MyLuma(TM), the first prenatal blood test that predicts postpartum depression risk with 85% accuracy, enabling personalized treatment and support for every mother. Dionysus Health's mission is to replace delayed, self-reported screenings with clinically validated diagnostics that deliver reliable, early insights for patients, providers, and health systems. Mahmma is on a mission to provide a comprehensive, accessible perinatal mental health solution. Created by clinicians and parents, Mahmma serves as the go-to solution for providers, health systems, hospitals, and NICUs to screen, refer, support, educate, and treat pregnant and postpartum women experiencing maternal mental health complications like depression and anxiety, and their families. Media Contact Full Name: Amy VanHaren Company Name: Dionysus Health Email: avanharen@ Phone Number: 6513038777 Website: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data


CBS News
27 minutes ago
- CBS News
Lawsuit alleges Hormel Foods denied workers earned safe and sick time
Workers are suing Minnesota-based Hormel Foods, alleging the food giant does not allow employees to take paid time off if they get sick. The class action lawsuit alleges Hormel violated the Minnesota Earned Safe and Sick Time law for UFCW Local 663 members. The union represents more than 1,600 meatpacking workers at Hormel's Austin, Minnesota, plant. The lawsuit claims workers had to use vacation days instead of sick days if they wanted to get paid for the time off. Hormel is accused of refusing to provide employees with earned sick and safe time (ESST) benefit accruals for their work between Jan. 1, 2024, and March 1, 2025, and denying the workers' statutory right to carry over their accrued, unused ESST benefits into the 2025 calendar year. The lawsuit also alleges Hormel failed to give "all or most" employees any of the ESST benefits they earned in January and February this year, "Workers, advocates, and legislators fought hard to make Earned Sick and Safe Time law. Now, ESST is a statewide standard," said UFCW Local 663 President Rena Wong. "UFCW 663 members know what it means to fight for what we deserve and win. After all, workers at Hormel set the standard for wages in the meatpacking industry." Hormel declined to comment. The lawsuit is the first of its kind since the law passed in 2023, according to the Minnesota Senate DFL. Under the law, anyone is eligible for the sick and safe time if they work 80 hours a year and don't qualify as an independent contractor. The policy approved by the DFL-led legislature allows people to use the time for treating mental or physical illness, going to medical appointments, caring for a family member who's ill, and even due to inclement weather that may close children's school and keep them home. It also covers absences related to domestic abuse or sexual assault. "As chief author of the 2023 Earned Sick and Safe Time law, I am proud to stand with the workers of UFCW Local 663 as they demand the rights they are due," Sen. Sandra Pappas, DFL-St. Paul, said. "Hormel must follow Minnesota law and stop disrespecting its workers. I look forward to UFCW Local 663's day in court." There's a long history of labor activism at the Hormel plant in Austin. In the mid-1980s, about 1,500 workers went on strike for 13 months in one of the longest strikes in state history. The employees cited a wage freeze, dangerous working conditions and a wage cut as the reason for the Cummings contributed to this report.


New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
Trump Announces Health Care Records System for Consumers
President Trump on Wednesday announced the development of a health care records system that he said would allow Americans to more easily and broadly share their personal health information with health care providers. 'Today the dream of easily transportable, electronic medical records finally becomes a reality,' Mr. Trump said at a White House event that included the leaders of dozens of technology companies. The administration is working with some of the largest American companies on the record-keeping system, including Google, Amazon, Apple and OpenAI. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will oversee the effort. Many health care providers already allow patients to upload their medical information and schedule appointments through phone apps and online portals. Mr. Trump and top federal health officials said the information-sharing program would be an effective replacement for a system that often involves arduous and redundant paperwork that patients fill out when visiting different providers. The system, which aims in part to help Americans with diabetes and obesity, would also include artificial intelligence assistants to help Americans monitor symptoms and navigate health care options. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.