Meghan Trainor Opens up About Painful Burning Mouth Syndrome Symptoms: ‘My Tongue Is Still Burning’
Learn the warning signs you should never ignore, plus how BMS is treated
On a recent episode of her podcast Workin’ On, singer Meghan Trainor revealed she came down with a bug that also affected her husband Daryl Sabara and two boys, Riley, 4, and Barry, 2. But only she was left with an unsettling symptom: burning mouth. Burning mouth syndrome is a little-discussed condition that affects more women than you think. Here’s everything you need to know about burning mouth syndrome symptoms and what to do if you think you’re affected.
Meghan Trainor’s burning mouth syndrome symptoms
True to its name, burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is an often-painful condition that causes a burning sensation in your mouth, says Grigoriy E. Gurvits, MD, Professor of Medicine and gastroenterologist at NYU Langone. While much more common in post-menopausal women, it can also affect younger people. In fact, Trainor, 31, talked about experiencing a burning sensation on her tongue for three days, for which her doctor prescribed a mouthwash—unfortunately, to no avail.
The pop star recounted how perplexing this was for her doctor: “She goes, ‘My last patient said after two swishes, she was fine. So, you’ll heal right up.’ And I’m like, ‘I’m on day three. So, when’s the healing right up going to happen?’ Little concerned, a little worried.”
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Trainor continued, “My tongue is still burning. If anyone knows why [the] tip of my tongue is burning with no white patches or anything—you can barely see anything.”
“I’m like, I’m having a great time in life other than this,” Trainor added. “And my body is just mad at me and I don’t know why. I’m so tired. I’m trying everything. I’m gluten-free, I’m dairy-free, I’m egg yolk-free.”
The “All About That Bass” singer added, “I feel incredible and then my immune system [is] just not feeling incredible.”
Burning mouth syndrome symptoms to watch for
There are no visible signs of burning mouth syndrome which is characterized by the following major symptoms:
- Mouth pain
- Dry mouth
- Altered sense of taste
- A scaling or burning feeling that affects your tongue, lips, gums or the roof of your mouth
People with BMS may experience these symptoms every day or they may come and go, according to the Mayo Clinic. Typically, limiting acidic or spicy foods may help reduce the risk of flare-ups.
What causes burning mouth syndrome?
Perhaps not surprisingly, owing to its complicated nature, burning mouth syndrome is separated into two types: primary and secondary BMS. “Primary burning mouth syndrome occurs when there is no identifiable medical, dental or psychological cause that can contribute to the burning sensation,” explains Kathryn Jones, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine graduate student, who researches BMS. “At this point, it’s hypothesized to be a neuropathic pain disorder, possibly related to dysfunction in the central nervous system—kind of similar to how we would describe fibromyalgia.”
Secondary burning mouth syndrome, conversely, can be linked to an underlying issue or health condition. “Common causes include oral candidiasis [a fungal infection also called thrush], allergic reactions to food, recent dental procedures or dental devices like dentures or implants and movements in the mouth that may cause rubbing or irritation, such as tongue thrusting,” she continues.
Dietary deficiencies and stress may also be to blame
Other factors that may contribute to burning mouth syndrome include nutritional deficiencies—like low B vitamins, folic acid or zinc—diabetes, hypothyroidism and “possibly medications like ACE inhibitors,” says Dr. Gurvits. It’s important to note that psychological or psychiatric conditions like depression and anxiety are also associated with secondary burning mouth syndrome.
This may be because the chronic stress triggered by anxiety and depression, dials down the body’s production of neurosteroids, which help our nervous system function, explains Jones. “It’s theorized that in burning mouth syndrome, a decline in neurosteroids may lead to localized pain in the oral-facial area.”
Burning mouth syndrome symptoms are more common in women
Women are 2.5 to 7 times more likely than men to develop it, according to Dr. Gurvits. “And it usually occurs anywhere from three to 12 years after menopause,” adds Jones.
One key reason menopausal and postmenopausal women are at greater risk for burning mouth syndrome is declining estrogen levels. “Circulating estradiol [estrogen produced by the ovaries]—which protects the nervous system against disease and injury—decreases in postmenopausal women,” says Jones, revealing that postmenopausal with burning mouth syndrome are known to have lower levels of estradiol than those who don’t have the condition.
How burning mouth syndrome symptoms are treated
While mouthwash didn’t work for Trainor, it can bring relief to others. “Sometimes a medicated mouthwash called Magic Mouthwash, is prescribed and compounded by specialty pharmacies,” confirms otolaryngologist Melissa A. Scholes, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief, Children’s Hospital of Mississippi.
“It usually contains Benadryl, a steroid, lidocaine and an antacid or an antibiotic,” she adds. Check out our tips on how to get instant relief from burning mouth syndrome symptoms here.
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