Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a predominantly oral condition characterized by 
the occurrence of a chronic burning that commonly involves the anterior tongue, 
painful sensation, dryness and taste alterations. The syndrome is reported more 
often in women, usually without any oral mucosal signs and laboratory 
abnormalities. Its etiopathogenesis remains poorly understood, and there is no 
consensus on diagnostic criteria and treatment strategies. Tongue burning is 
though to be also one of a non-oesophageal symptom of gastro-oesophageal reflux 
disease. As reported below, although this symptom may well be diagnostically 
misleading, careful diagnosis based on clinical signs may distinguish patients 
with BMS from those with reflux disease, and successful management of burning 
mouth is often enables.