Frequently there are no observable clinical signs of their orofacial pain. Previous studies have researched local causes such as mucosal lesions,dentures,odontogenic causes, food allergy, smoking and alcohol. Systemic causes have been studied including hormonal disturbances, blood disorders, hypochlorhydria and achlorhydria, diabetes mellitus, salivary flow rates, medication side effects, hypothyroiddism and immunologic disturbances, rheumatism and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and vascular disturbances. Neurologic studies have examined pain,neuralgia and sensory disturbances as possible causes. Another area that has received attention are psychogenic causes.
Patient treatment varies with the possible underlying causes for organic burning mouth.
However,for idiopathic BMS, treatment is palliative. Idiopathic burning mouth syndrome patients will seek out medical or dental care looking for answers and may become quite frustrated when faced with the reality that health care professional have no plausible answers and may feel left alone with their plight.