Dr. Sklar's Hope for Burning Mouth

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Dr. Sklar's Hope for Burning Mouth

Dr. Susan Sklar is a Harvard-trained gynecologist and functional medicine expert specializing exclusively in Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS).

Helping patients worldwide find lasting relief through root-cause solutions.

08/25/2026

Here’s why your dentist is the first person you should see if you have a burning mouth or tongue:⁠
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BMS is a diagnosis of exclusion. ⁠
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Your dentist is familiar with oral habits, oral tissues, and local factors that can cause or contribute to burning sensations. 👩‍⚕️⁠
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Your dentist must rule out every other possible cause first, so sharing a thorough health history, including all medications and supplements, and a symptom diary is crucial. ⁠
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And being prepared and understanding what your dentist needs to know helps you be a partner in your diagnosis and treatment plan.⁠
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Read my new article “How to talk to your dentist” and download the free “pre- and post-visit checklist” PDF. Visit our website! 🌟👩‍⚕️⁠

https://susansklarmd.com/dentist-burning-mouth-syndrome/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=promote_article&utm_content=carousel

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08/22/2026

It would be a mistake to treat the psychological aspects of BMS as secondary to the physical ones. They are the same wound. Clinical studies show BMS patients score significantly higher for depression, fatigue, and psychological distress than pain-free individuals. ⁠
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One cross-national study found BMS patients had lower overall quality of life and poorer sleep quality. Depression and the burning sensation are interdependent—each amplifies the other, creating a vicious cycle.⁠
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BMS is significantly associated with state anxiety (feeling of threat in the moment) and trait anxiety (ongoing background dread). Invisible, chronic pain leads to a unique kind of suffering: not being believed. Explaining your pain every time, with no test confirming it, is exhausting.⁠
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Lack of appropriate treatment and awareness from friends and family adds to ongoing distress and frustration. This isn’t simply feeling sad about pain. It’s the cumulative weight of being chronically unwell in a world that doesn’t understand. ⁠
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Learn more about managing BMS and its mental health impacts. Read our full article, "Beyond Chronic Pain: the invisible price of BMS," on our website. 🌟

https://susansklarmd.com/chronic-pain-burning-mouth-syndrome/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=promote_article&utm_content=carousel
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08/20/2026

“I Don’t Know Who I Am Anymore” - Chronic pain can cause the slow dissolution of a person’s identity. One study found chronic pain patients lost nearly seven personal attributes like "I am someone who cooks for people I love," or "I make everyone laugh." 💔⁠
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The person who used to host dinner parties stops hosting. ⁠
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The person who loved to travel stops making plans. ⁠
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Warmth and wit may grow quieter. Not because they’ve become someone else, but because the pain has taken away the ability to express who they truly are. 💬⁠
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For people with BMS, this loss is especially intense. ⁠
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The mouth is central to eating, speaking, laughing, singing, tasting, and connecting. When your mouth is in constant pain, it affects every part of being present — sharing a meal, speaking freely, engaging with loved ones.⁠
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Read our full article, "Beyond Chronic Pain: the invisible price of BMS," on our website. Follow for more insights! 🌟⁠

https://susansklarmd.com/chronic-pain-burning-mouth-syndrome/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=promote_article&utm_content=carousel

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08/18/2026

Chronic pain from Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) silently impacts social life. 🌿⁠
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Chronic pain doesn't announce its social damage all at once. It happens gradually, as invitations are declined and plans are abandoned:⁠
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Meal at a Restaurant: Becomes fraught — what if the food makes the burning worse? ⁠
🥗Social Gathering: Means navigating a loud room while managing an invisible fire. ⁠
🔥Holidays with Family: May involve pretending you feel OK or enduring loneliness surrounded by loved ones who can't fully understand.⁠
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Friends — even loving ones — may stop including you in plans, assuming you'll decline. They might feel uncomfortable seeing you suffer. People with BMS might withdraw first — out of shame, exhaustion, or weighing the cost of socializing against limited energy.⁠
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Studies show chronic pain leads to greater feelings of isolation, less satisfaction with their social roles, reduced emotional support, and increased depression. 📉⁠
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The cycle is self-reinforcing: pain causes withdrawal, isolation deepens depression, and depression amplifies the experience of pain.⁠
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Want to learn more? Read our full article, "Beyond Chronic Pain: the invisible price of BMS," on our website. Follow for more insights! 🌟⁠
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⁠https://susansklarmd.com/chronic-pain-burning-mouth-syndrome/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=promote_article&utm_content=carousel

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08/15/2026

Living with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)? It affects more than just physical health. 🌿⁠
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Beyond just the pain…⁠
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Eating and Drinking: Spicy, acidic, or crunchy foods can trigger or worsen burning, making mealtime something to dread. 🥗⁠
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Speaking: Mouth and tongue pain can make conversation exhausting, leading many with BMS to speak less and withdraw. 🗣️⁠
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Sleep: The burning doesn't pause at bedtime, disrupting sleep and deepening fatigue, low mood, and cognitive fog the next day. 😴⁠
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Concentration: Persistent pain can impair attention and language function, making it hard to focus on daily tasks. 📚⁠
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Emotional Health: BMS is associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and distress, significantly impacting overall well-being. 💔⁠
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Social Isolation: Chronic pain often leads to social withdrawal, impacting relationships and increasing feelings of loneliness. 🌸⁠
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Understanding how BMS affects daily life can help in seeking comprehensive treatment and support.⁠
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Want to learn more? Read our full article, "Beyond Chronic Pain: the invisible price of BMS," on our website. Follow for more insights! 🌟⁠

https://susansklarmd.com/chronic-pain-burning-mouth-syndrome/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=promote_article&utm_content=carousel

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08/13/2026

Living with Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) affects more than just physical health. 🌿 It impacts friendships, passions, spontaneity, and overall identity.⁠
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Friendships: Chronic pain can lead to social withdrawal, making it hard to maintain relationships. Friends may not understand your experience.⁠
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Passions: Activities and hobbies you once loved might become difficult or impossible, taking away sources of joy and fulfillment.⁠
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Spontaneity: BMS can make it hard to make plans or enjoy spontaneous activities due to the fear of unexpected flare-ups.⁠
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Identity: The constant pain and limitations can make you feel like you’ve lost your true self.⁠
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Mental Health: Studies show higher rates of depression, anxiety, and distress in people with BMS compared to those without pain.⁠
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Social Isolation: The combination of physical pain and emotional distress often leads to feeling isolated and misunderstood.⁠
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Understanding how BMS affects more than just physical health can help in seeking comprehensive treatment and support.⁠
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Want to learn more about managing BMS? Read our full article, "Beyond Chronic Pain: the invisible price of BMS," on our website. Follow us for more insights! 🌟👩‍⚕️⁠

https://susansklarmd.com/chronic-pain-burning-mouth-syndrome/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=promote_article&utm_content=carousel

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08/11/2026

Are you, or someone you know, living with Burning Mouth Syndrome? 🌿 BMS pain is real, even if no one else can see it. ⁠
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It feels like a burning, stinging, or scalded sensation in the mouth, lips, and tongue, but there's no visible cause. 🔥 This type of pain can be constant and relentless, often worsening as the day goes on.⁠
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Doctors often struggle to diagnose what can't be seen, leaving many feeling dismissed and misunderstood. The International Headache Society defines BMS as burning sensations occurring daily for over 2 hours, without visible causes, persisting for more than 3 months.⁠
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Unfortunately, because the pain is invisible, doctors might think it’s not severe, adding to the frustration of those suffering. People with BMS frequently face discrimination in medical settings, with their pain often minimized or doubted.⁠
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Understanding the invisible pain of BMS is crucial for getting the right treatment and support.⁠
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Want to learn more about BMS and managing its symptoms? Read our full article, "Pain Relief for Burning Mouth," on our website. Follow for more insights! Link in bio. 🌟👩‍⚕️ Read our full article, "Beyond Chronic Pain: the invisible price of BMS," on our website. Follow for more insights! 🌟👩‍⚕️⁠

https://susansklarmd.com/chronic-pain-burning-mouth-syndrome/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=promote_article&utm_content=carousel
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08/08/2026

"It Feels Like I Drank Scalding Coffee — But I Didn't." 🌟 Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) could be the reason for your constant burning, stinging, or scalded feeling. Living with these symptoms is exhausting, and your pain deserves to be taken seriously.⁠
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You describe the pain, but everything looks "normal" during exams. You're told to "try this mouthwash," and it feels like your problem is being treated as imaginary. But you're not imagining it. It could be BMS.⁠
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One of BMS's cruelest features is that it leaves no visible mark, making your tongue feel on fire while looking completely healthy. This mismatch often makes people feel unheard, bouncing from appointment to appointment without answers.⁠
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BMS is not "all in your head." It's a nerve problem needing serious treatment. Understanding and recognizing BMS can help you get the right treatment.⁠
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Want to learn more and start to figure out if you have BMS or something else? Read our full article, “Do You Have Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Self-Assessment” 🌟👩‍⚕️⁠

https://susansklarmd.com/burning-mouth-self-assessment/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=promote_article&utm_content=carousel

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08/06/2026

(Part 2) 8 Treatable Conditions That Look Like Burning Mouth⁠
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1. Dry Mouth Caused by Medications: Certain medications can cause dry mouth, increasing burning sensations. 💊 Review your medication list with your doctor for possible adjustments.⁠
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2. Acid Reflux and Related Stomach Issues: Acid reflux can cause burning sensations in the mouth and throat. 🔥 Treat acid reflux with dietary changes and medications.⁠
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3. Conditions Affecting Mouth Lining: Conditions like lichen planus can irritate the mouth lining, leading to burning sensations. 🚫 A clinician can diagnose and treat these conditions.⁠
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4. Ill-Fitting Dentures or Reaction to Dental Materials: Ill-fitting dentures or reactions to dental materials can cause local irritation and burning. 🦷 Adjusting or replacing dental appliances can relieve pain.⁠
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See the other four treatable conditions that can cause burning symptoms, but are not BMS, by reading our full article, “Do You Have Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Self-Assessment.” Or look for the Part 1 post 🌿⁠

https://susansklarmd.com/burning-mouth-self-assessment/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=promote_article&utm_content=carousel

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08/04/2026

What other conditions cause a burning mouth or tongue? 🌟 You can't fully diagnose BMS on your own — and that's not a failure on your part. Doctors reach a BMS diagnosis by ruling other things out first. A burning-mouth feeling can be a symptom caused by a surprising number of fixable conditions. Here are the first four treatable causes:⁠
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1. Low B12, Iron, or Zinc: Nutrient gaps can affect the nerves in your mouth, causing burning sensations. 🥬 Check with your doctor for a blood test to identify and correct these deficiencies. ⁠
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2. Thyroid Problems: Especially an underactive thyroid, which can cause burning mouth symptoms. 🦋 Thyroid issues can be diagnosed through blood tests and treated.⁠
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3. Diabetes or Blood-Sugar Issues: Blood sugar imbalances can affect nerve function, leading to burning pain. 🍭 Managing blood sugar through diet, exercise, and medication can help.⁠
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4. Oral Thrush (Yeast Overgrowth): Infections like oral thrush can cause burning mouth. 🍞 An antifungal treatment can clear up thrush and alleviate symptoms.⁠
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For more in-depth information on these causes and more, read the full article, “Do You Have Burning Mouth Syndrome: A Self-Assessment” - Follow for Part 2! 🌿👩‍⚕️⁠

https://susansklarmd.com/burning-mouth-self-assessment/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=promote_article&utm_content=carousel

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Address

5318 2nd Street #403
Long Beach, CA
90803

Telephone

+15622459027

Website

http://www.susansklarmd.com/

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