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.

08/20/2026

“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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08/01/2026

Signs that your symptoms might not be caused by BMS: It’s just as useful to know what might point to something else.

Visible signs: A sore, ulcer, or red patch on the tongue points to a physical cause. BMS, by definition, leaves the mouth looking normal. 👅

Short duration: Burning that heals on its own within days or weeks is likely a passing irritation, a minor infection, or a reaction to a food/product—not chronic BMS. ⏳

Clear triggers: Burning right after a specific food, a new toothpaste, or a medication—and stopping when you avoid it—suggests irritation or sensitivity, not BMS. 🍋

Post-dental work: Pain after a new filling or dental work points to a local cause like an ill-fitting appliance. 🦷

Localized pain: BMS usually feels widespread and affects both sides. A single, pinpoint sore area is likely a localized issue. 📍

Other symptoms: Burning paired with unusual fatigue, numbness, or weight changes might be due to an underlying issue like a vitamin deficiency or thyroid trouble. ⚠️

None of these rule out BMS for certain — only a clinician can do that. Consulting with a healthcare professional is crucial.

Want to learn more about getting a BMS diagnosis? Read the 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

07/31/2026

I was excited to see Dr. McShane's mission - to help women over 50 realize that their symptoms are not always a consequence of just "aging". Her Podcast is devoted to educating women over 50 with clear, practical conversations to help them live "smarter, longer, and better." ⁠
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So it was a great fit for a message to women about Burning Mouth Syndrome - a chronic pain condition that affects many women over 50, but is often shrugged off by their doctors as anxiety - or even imaginary.⁠
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We had a great conversation about: ⁠
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- How hormonal changes influence nerve health and pain perception. ⁠
- The importance of hormone restoration, nutritional optimization, and personalized functional medicine strategies as we age.⁠
- Why Burning Mouth Syndrome disproportionately affects peri- and postmenopausal women.⁠
- How treating the whole person—not just the painful symptom—can help restore quality of life for women living with chronic pain like BMS.⁠
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Listen/Watch on your preferred platform:

DrTalks: https://drtalks.com/videos/burning-mouth-syndrome-the-menopause-symptom-too-many-women-dont-know-about

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/738mbwLheKuuZY6wkwKjKc?si=63NaWHR7Q1C0BtJSUpjycg

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/burning-mouth-syndrome-the-menopause-symptom-too-many/id1842200214?i=1000778050308

iHeartRadio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-womens-healthspan-voices-w-296758694/episode/burning-mouth-syndrome-the-menopause-symptom-339474243/
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Address

5318 2nd Street #403
Long Beach, CA
90803

Telephone

+15622459027

Website

http://www.susansklarmd.com/

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