A brief discussion of treatments is also presented. The condition may present in other areas of the mouth with the patient often complaining of incessant burning pain without any modifying or relieving factors. The condition most often affects post-menopausal females. It may alter tactile, pain, thermal, and taste sensations. There are many considerations that should be entertained before diagnosing and treating this vast group of disorders.
Drug therapy can alter the oral microflora sufficiently to result in oral burning.
Aggressive antibiotic therapy may result in painful, opportunistic erosive candidal infections. Multiple antibiotic treatment especially with denture wearing may further encourage candidal overgrowth and discomfort. Anticholinergic medications may precipitate xerostomia, especially in elderly patients with decreased metabolic rates and hence prolonged drug clearance times. True allergies to foreign materials such as inadequately cured denture bases and food-related allergens may irritate the gingiva, soft palate and oropharynx. Sorbic and benzoic acids, propylene glycol and cinnamon are the most common offenders in the diet.