Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) has been considered an enigmatic condition because 
the intensity of pain rarely corresponds to the clinical signs of the disease. 
Various local, systemic and psychological factors are associated with BMS, but 
its etiology is not fully understood. Also there is no consensus on the 
diagnosis and classification of BMS. A substantial volume of research has been 
focused on BMS during the last two decades. Progress has been made but the 
condition remains a fascinating, yet poorly understood area, in the field of 
oral medicine. Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in this 
disorder with the discovery that the pain of BMS may be neuropathic in origin 
and originate both centrally and peripherally. The aim of this paper is to 
explore the condition of BMS with the specific outcome of increasing awareness 
of the condition. Key words:Burning mouth syndrome, stomatodynia, oral 
dysesthesia, pain management.