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Burning Mouth / Burning Tongue
Syndrome is a relatively common condition that is
characterized by a complaint of an abnormal sensation of the lining of
the mouth that most patients describe as feeling like their mouth has
been scalded. Usually this sensation develops in the front part of the
mouth, typically affecting the inner surfaces of the lips, the roof of
the mouth and the sides and tip of the tongue. In some patients, only
the tongue will be affected, however, any combination of these sites may
be seen. Some patients may have a decreased taste ability or altered
taste sensation (bitter or salty). Other patients may feel that their
mouths are dry or sticky. In all cases, however, the lining of the mouth
clinically appears normal.
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Candidiasis is an infection of
the most
superficial part of the lining of the mouth that is
caused by the yeast-like fungal organism,
Candida albicans.
Unlike many other infections,
candidiasis does not really invade into the
living parts of the body – the yeast
primarily normally uses the dead ("keratinized") cells that areon
the surface of the lining of the mouth for food. This organism also
causes vaginal yeast infections in some women. It is important to
understand that this is
not
the same yeast that
is used for baking bread or brewing beer.
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Cicatricial Pemphigoid is a relatively uncommon
blistering disease that mostly affects the mucous membranes, that is,
the moist linings of the mouth, the eyes, the nose and throat, and the
vagina. Sometimes only one or two of these areas are affected at first,
and the condition may spread to other areas, including the skin, if it
is not treated.
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Geographic Tongue (also known as benign migratory
glossitis or erythema migrans) is a harmless condition that affects
about 2% of the population. Geographic tongue is typically seen as well
defined, reddened areas on the top and sides of the tongue. These red
areas usually have a slightly white or yellow-white, raised line around
their edges. The condition usually waxes and wanes in severity, with the
red patches appearing in one area during a period of several hours to a
few days, persisting for a period of time (days to weeks to months,
depending on the individual), and clearing up; however, the process
often repeats itself in a different area or areas after a few more days,
weeks or months. When the condition is "active", the tongue may be
sensitive (feels like it has been scalded) to hot, spicy or acidic
foods.
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Hairy-Coated Tongue
is a harmless, but sometimes
annoying problem that is seen rather frequently. People who complain of
this condition are almost always adults, and it can affect men or women.
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Leukoplakia (luke - o – plake –
ee – ah) is a clinical term that is used to describe certain white
patches in the mouth. Not all white patches are called leukoplakia –
just the ones that cannot be rubbed off and cannot be diagnosed as any
other condition or disease. Leukoplakia is important because, over time
(typically months to years), a percentage of these white patches will
transform to oral cancer.
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Lichen
Planus is a benign (not cancer) condition that
affects either the skin or the lining of the mouth. Occasionally both
areas will be affected. We don't know what causes lichen planus, but we
do know that lichen planus is not caused by an infection (bacteria,
virus or fungus) or any identifiable habit (smoking, foods, etc.). What
we believe is happening in lichen planus is that the immune cells, which
normally protect us by destroying bacteria or viruses, get confused and
start attacking the skin or the lining of the mouth.
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Recurrent Aphthous Ulcerations ("Canker Sores") are a
relatively common condition that affects the lining tissues of the
mouth. In the typical form of aphthous ulcerations, patients develop
from one to five very painful sores that usually last ten to fourteen
days. These sores can occur anywhere in the mouth except on the front
part of the roof of the mouth (hard palate) or on the gum tissue that is
right next to the teeth. Some patients indicate that they can feel a
tingling sensation in an area where one of the sores will develop. The
frequency of attacks can be quite variable, ranging from as often as
once per month up to as rare as once every few years.
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