Burning tongue, or burning mouth syndrome, is a painful and frustrating condition that is difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to treat. Affecting less than 2 percent of the population, not a lot of research has been done on treatments, and no cure for this has been found.
That doesn't mean you have to give up hope and just suffer, though. You can take measures to minimize your discomfort. That burning sensation that seems to spring up from nowhere and stays for a short period of time or never goes away can be managed. Here are 6 ways you can help put out the flames and dampen your burn to just a glow.
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1. Avoid. Because certain things can make the burning worse, WebMD recommends avoiding acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruit. Spicy foods should also be avoided as they will cause your burning mouth to flare. Alcohol and mouthwash that contains alcohol may also be triggers that you want to cut out or use sparingly. Even cinnamon and mint can become your nemesis.
2. Track. As you fight this syndrome, tracking what you eat and what triggers a flare-up is a must, according to the Mayo Clinic. Then you know what specifically you should avoid. This syndrome responds differently for every individual.
3. Reduce. Medical News Today recommends reducing your stress as many discover that as their stress increases, so does their burning mouth. Shedding extra responsibilities and taking time to exercise and shutdown becomes a necessity.
4. Drink. When dealing with a flare-up, Medical News Today says to drink plenty of cool liquids. Water is great as it makes your mouth and tongue feel much better.
5. Suck. If water isn't enough, the Mayo Clinic says to try sucking on ice chips.
6. Chew. To help manage your burning mouth when you can't drink, WebMD says to try chewing sugar-free gum. The saliva it creates will help give the same cooling as drinking.
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Burning mouth is no walk in the park, but you can find ways to turn back the burn and find enjoyment in life in spite of it.