Burning Mouth Syndrome: Pharmacotherapeutic Update

Background:-Burning mouth syndrome BMS is defined as an intraoral burning or dysaesthesia sensation with daily recurrence for more than two hours daily and over than three months duration, in the absence of any lesion based on Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS). It affects about 3.9 % of the population with female predilection in which studies showed that it affects 12%-18% of postmenopausal women. Studies have suggested that there is a psychological component in BMS symptoms. Management of BMS mostly aims toward eliminating the symptoms by prescribing topical and systemic medications. Different pharmacologic categories are available for use and few new types of drugs have been introduced recently. The main objective of this review is to present the currently available therapeutic options for BMS. Methods:-A literature review was conducted on PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Database on the pharmacotherapeutic treatment options of idiopathic BMS published to January 2023 using the following keywords; burning mouth syndrome and treatment or therapeutic or management or therapy or systemic medications or topical medications. Results:-All articles matched the search criteria were included in this narrative review. Conclusion:-A variety of therapeutic modalities are available for BMS and pharmaceutical intervention appears to be the first-line approach for some patients. Dentists and other healthcare professionals should stay updated on therapeutic advances in this field to provide better management for their patients.