Altered Sensations of the Mouth
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- Altered Sensations of the Mouth
Altered sensations of the mouth may include burning, tingling or “pins and needles”, numbness, soreness, discomfort, and taste changes. The mouth may feel dry making it difficult to swallow.
Signs and Symptoms:
- Burning sensation in the mouth resulting in taste changes.
- Tingling in mouth and tongue, numbness, soreness and discomfort in the mouth.
- Mouth dryness.
- Altered taste (bitter, sour, bloody or metallic taste).
Causes:
- Infectious diseases.
- Salivary glands abnormalities.
- Medication-related side effects.
- Oral allergies.
- Dysfunction of the central nervous system.
- Emotional stress.
Diagnosis:
It is critical to consult a dentist or doctor in order to achieve an accurate diagnosis. The many causes of altered sensations and burning mouth require a thorough assessment to review potential conditions and other contributing factors.
Treatment:
Altered sensation and burning mouth can be difficult to diagnose. A dentist who is familiar with this condition should be consulted. Topical or systemic medications are most commonly used to treat the condition however, treatment varies according to the cause of symptoms.
When to see a dentist?
Altered sensations of the mouth often resolve within a couple of weeks however, if the discomfort lasts for an extended period of time care should be sought.
To consult an Oral Medicine Specialist regarding your altered mouth sensations, request a referral to TeleOralMedicine.