I thought it was related to a vitamin deficiency...?

What are your symptoms? I've had something similar for years. My tongue and the roof of my mouth always feel raw, like I burned it on pizza. I've asked several medical people, basically they shrug. The dentist just said it could be lots of things.

I've had a salty mouth going on two years. Can't taste food. The doctor said it's from a nerve and older people get it. Said it can last as long as two years so I am hoping .]

I've never heard of this but there's forums for everything. Here's one for burning mouth syndrome:

https://mforum.com.au/oral-burning-burning-mouth-syndrome/

Sal, not being able to taste food is not just something that older people get and it can have many reasons. I lost taste and smell in my 30s. Have regained all or part of it over the years but it returns. Recently no matter what I eat all I tasted was salty and sweet. Yesterday I had a thick coated malted milk ball and I actually tasted full chocolate flavor. No malt but even tasting chocolate and recognizing it was great. I learned to "taste" with my nose similar to what some food testers do. Put the food near my mouth, open my mouth like I am going to taste but breath deeply though my nose. As you stated no one over the years has been interested in finding out why. First time it happened it was suggested that it would probably better if I did nothing.

If it only started two years ago I suspect it may be virus related rather than nerve.

My SIL’s mother developed it a few years ago. I believe it is an autoimmune disorder? Sad, because she is such a good cook. I don’t know much else as they live so far away. But SIL says it is very difficult.

I have lichen planus. It's an autoimmune disorder most common in middle aged white women. I do have burning feelings sometimes. Different things trigger it for me. For example, Colgate toothpast and listerine mouthwash. Some people are triggered by coffee, really hot beverages, alcohol, spicy food. I had a biopsy on the roof of my mouth for diagnosis (ruling out oral cancer) and then saw a special dermatologist who was not concerned at all.

Joann-fl, sorry you are still suffering with this. Sephia’s link offers a good summary of how this condition is complex and multifactorial.

I just looked for a forum and came up with this. Caveat — forums can be helpful and offer a place for support and exchange of information and experiences (as we know). They can vary widely and even within that forum community and culture.

I will try to look around, but for what its worth, you may find this one helpful.

https://www.reddit.com/r/BurningMouthSyndrome/

I hope you get some relief soon. It’s got to be painful and frustrating. So many variables and unknowns.

Have you tried any of the products made by Biotene? They do have a mouth rinse and other products designed to be gentle on dru mouths. Some toothpastes are formulated for dry or sensitive mouths. I can enjoy chili peppers and spicy dishes, but tha foaming detergent found i many toothpastes burns my mouth.

Here is a toothpaste that I use without sodium laurel sulphate. It also gives a fluoride boost and remineralization. It is to be used at least once daily. Prescription required.

Colgate Prevident 5000, dry mouth formulation

Are you certain it is not Sjogrens Syndrome? It is an autoimmune disease, especially dry mouth, dry eyes, etc. and it usually doesn’t come alone. I have three... Rheumatoid Arthritis, Hashimotos, and Sjogrens. Hope you find relief.

it is not Sjogren's Syndrome, My Dr. said it was BMS it has the closest symptoms. The symptoms can vary with each person. I am sure it's not a vitamin deficiency, I take all kinds of vitamins and I recently had blood work and it's all good. I have numbness in the corners of my mouth, my lips are numb and feel swelled, It feels like I just ate an unripe persimmon. The inside of my mouth is sticking to my teeth and also my tongue. I have plenty of saliva so it's not a dry mouth. I have used biotene with no help, also the expensive dry mouth rinses. This started after I got a crown at the dentist. My mouth & tongue burns off & on and so does my lips, which are also sticky. The Dr. gave me 4 prescriptions which did help for 1 week (expensive too) then when I was finished it all came back. The gabapentin for nerve pain hasn't helped either. (It makes me feel drunk) I really have no pain at all, it's just all the tingling & numbness & stickiness that is so horrible. I've read everything about it and I have tried it all with no help with any of it. I can't chew gum it will flare up; most any food bothers it.

I am hoping it will go away on its own.

Have you checked back with your dentist and reported these symptoms? They may be related to the crown - maybe the cement used - something used during the procedure...?

Have you had your B12 levels checked? Although they may be within normal limits by US standards, compare against Japanese standards. After three physicians, two PA's and one neuro NP blew my low but WNL B12 levels off, a functional practitioner literally saved me by identifying b12 deficiency and treating accordingly.

ETA I've read burning mouth can be related to B12 deficiency.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519529/

Joann, that sounds horrible. If I have something similar, I'm lucky, because mine is just annoying.

Although I really would like to taste chocolate again.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/burning-mouth-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350917

I developed it with menopause. It mostly went away after about a year, but I still get occasional flare-ups. Along with it, I developed a habit of sucking on my tongue which exacerbates it.

My dad had something wrong with his mouth, it's a lot better now but I don't think 100% gone. His mouth always felt like it was on fire. Mom couldn't use any spices whatsoever on any food. Eating was very painful. His doctor gave him a prescription for something plus an oral rinse and over time it has improved. He's 90 and I believe it started about a year or so ago.

I have tried the Medications that block nerve pain & the lidocaine rinse. Also did a fungal rinse. I have discussed this with my dentist, and he was unaware of this kind of problem. I have tried everything I know to do for it. I have another Dr. (ENT) appointment at the end of this month. My B12 has always been good. It's the drawing effect (like the persimmon) That drives me nuts.

So sorry, joann. So, mostly the discomfort is from the astringent (mouth puckering) sensation?

Just wondering, did your dentist use any new to him material, say for the cement? Has he ask the dental lab who fabricated the crown if they have recently (around the time of the lab making your crown) switch material or technique? Perhaps your dentist would write or call and ask the tech on your behalf.

I believe you said this symptom began around the time of your new crown? After?

Burning mouth syndrome sounds like it’s a catch-all term of diagnostic exclusion and thus the associated symptoms can vary widely.

So, one or two ENT’s said you have ”BMS — burning mouth syndrome.”

But do you feel pain? A burning sensation? Any change in appearance?

Can you sort of ”pin point” a location that is more sensitive or uncomfortable than other areas, or is it too overall and generalized to nail down that way?

Have you considered keeping a journal or ”My Da** Sore Mouth” diary?

If it came on suddenly, I would think that it might go away about as suddenly.

If you feel up to it, I would welcome more detailed discriptions if other here are okay with that.

Might you dub it ”Odd and disquietingly uncomfortable mouth phenomenon” rather than ”burning mouth?”

No ropey or thick saliva? Ample saliva?

Tongue and buccal mucosa (inside surface of mouth) stick to your teeth (you said?)?

So far, nothing you’ve tried offers any relief, other than an expensive oral medication your (ENT?) prescribed, but you had to stop taking that because of the high cost?

Negative for oral yeast? But, just for the heck of it, did you try any Nystatin or medication for oral yeast (and avoid sugar and simple carbs that your saliva will turn to sugar).

I have had a quasi subclinical, out of sight oral yeast infection. Only an esophageal endoscopy revealed it — araes of patchy while in my upper esophagus. My throat felt like I’d swallowed a golf ball and it also burned my throat. not having any idea what was causing my sore throat, I was sucking on hard candy, sipping cold apple juice. Of course, that was only making matters worse as that sugar was feeding the thrush (yeast, Candida).

I think this must be stressful for you, but I want you to feel optimistic. There is likely some answers and relief out there.

I do not know what the dentist used, no one seems to know much about this. No thick saliva, no yeast I was on nystatin it did nothing. I am give out about it, I just hope it goes away. I have not seen the ENT Dr, yet. I really don't think much will come of it. You cannot see anything in my mouth its fairly normal. My lips burn at times and my tongue still sticks to my teeth and inside my mouth. It's just frustrating.

"The management of BMS is complex, and more than one treatment modality is often required." Current management options include topical and systemic medications, CBT, and laser therapy.
Topical Medications
[ ] Capsaicin
[ ] Clonazepam
[ ] Rinse of tabasco sauce or hot pepper and water
[ ] 70% aloe vera gel
Systemic Medications
[ ] Clonazepam
[ ] Capsaicin
[ ] TCA's: amitriptyline, desipramine, clomipramine, imipramine, nortriptyline
[ ] SSRI: sertraline, paroxetine, duloxetine
[ ] Amisulpride and levosulpiride
[ ] Vitamins B, C, B12, folic acid, minerals
[ ] HRT in peri/post-menopausal women
Behavioral Modulation
Relaxation and restructuring CBT
Low-level Laser Therapy
Stimulates production and secretion of serotonin and β-endorphins, decreases bradykinin, alleviating burning symptoms; inhibit depolarization of C fibers, responsible for transmitting pain & heat stimuli.

I have what I think is BMS. Mine started about 2 years ago when I was having issues with GERD. My mouth and lips burn most of the time, but sometimes it will not bother me for 2 or 3 days. Then it returns. Sometimes I feel burning in the back of my throat.

I am going to make an appointment with an ENT doctor, but like Joann, I don't think anything will come of it.