Abstract

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) in its primary clinical form has controversial etiopathogenesis, which explains the frequency of therapeutic failures. On the other hand, the characteristics of the oral pain that allow it to be identified as a particular form of pain are an impediment to its classification in a certain category: through functional lesion/disruption of receptors, of neuropathy or cortical type. Based on their professional experience and the scientific data from the specialized medical literature, the authors raise the hypothesis of the existence of a neuronal irrigation deficiency, manifested both at the conductive sensory fibers of the influx and, preferably, in the sensory-sensorial cortex for pain and taste, or their association. According to the hypothesis, neural irrigation is responsible for installing a shortage of energy production and use, as well as the local synthesis of excess reactive oxygen species that engages the disruption of conduction of the thermoalgesic nervous influx generated in the oral/lingual mucosa.

Keywords: Oxidative stress; Neuropathic pain; Cortical pain

Abbreviation: BMS: Burning Mouth Syndrome