THE BURNING MOUTH SYNDROME

The burning mouth syndrome is characterized by burning and painful sen sations of the mouth in the absence of significant mucosal abnormaliti es. For patients in whom no causative factor can be identified, empiri c antifungal, nutritional, and estrogen replacement therapy can be ini tiated. If these fail, long-term therapy with antidepressants, benzodi azepines, and clonazepam can be considered. Topical capsaicin and lase r therapy have been reported beneficial in a few patients.