Mouth on Fire: A Case of Burning Mouth Syndrome and its Relevance in Psychiatry

Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is a complex pain condition of the oral cavity characterized by a burning sensation without clinical or laboratory abnormalities. It affects an estimated 0.1-3.9% of the general population. BMS can originate in the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system and is frequently accompanied by depression, anxiety, and/or somatic symptom disorder. The overlap of pain, neurologic pathophysiology, mental health and impaired quality of life highlight the need for collaboration among specialists in its identification and treatment.