Burning mouth syndrome is characterized by a burning sensation in the tongue or 
other oral sites, usually in the absence of clinical and laboratory findings. 
Affected patients often present with multiple oral complaints, including 
burning, dryness and taste alterations. Burning mouth complaints are reported 
more often in women, especially after menopause. Typically, patients awaken 
without pain but note increasing symptoms through the day and into the evening. 
Conditions that have been reported in association with burning mouth syndrome 
include chronic anxiety or depression, various nutritional deficiencies, type 2 
diabetes (formerly known as non-insulin-dependent diabetes) and changes in 
salivary function. However, these conditions have not been consistently linked 
with the syndrome, and their treatment has had little impact on burning mouth 
symptoms. Recent studies have pointed to dysfunction of several cranial nerves 
associated with taste sensation as a possible cause of burning mouth syndrome. 
Given in low dosages, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants or 
anticonvulsants may be effective in patients with burning mouth syndrome. 
Topical capsaicin has been used in some patients.