My almost 92 year old Mother has severe burning pain in her mouth when she eats. Coffee makes it better. Last 20 min. Coughing/sneezing. Started close to 10 years ago with spicy food. Has gotten worse over time. Dentists cannot figure it out. She is now in rehab due to a fall and says everything makes her mouth burn. She is now refusing all food and drink. This morning I brought her watermelon. She had one little bite, said her mouth was burning, and then she starting coughing, sneezing, and getting watery eyes. Granted, she's never been good at discomfort and tends to exaggerate, but her reaction is pretty impressive. At this point, I'm trying to find a solution, as opposed to a cause. She is refusing benedryl/milanta mix on her gums. I'm thinking maybe a saliva substitute, Sensidine toothpaste, or anything else that might help. Thoughts? (Her own teeth, lots of caps, no dentures.) Thanks.
I found this information about Burning Mouth Syndrome. I hope it will help your mom. I'm so sorry to hear what she is going through. I hope she feels better soon.
http://www.medicinenet.com/burning_mouth_syndrome/page2.htm
Treatment
Readers Comments 45
Share Your Story
Your doctor will help you get relief. Medicine can help control pain and relieve dry mouth.
Because BMS is a complex pain disorder, the treatment that works for one person may not work for another.
Symptoms of secondary BMS go away when the underlying medical condition, such as diabetes or yeast infection, is treated. If a drug is causing secondary BMS, then your doctor may switch you to a new medicine. Continue Reading
Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 11/15/2016
Thrush-mouth can cause a lot of pain, including burning. See if she'll eat yogurt. Flavored yogurt and since she isn't eating, I would go for full-fat flavored yogurt. If it is yeast (thrush-mouth), the yogurt should calm down the inflammation.
Since you went to the dentist, I doubt it's thrush, but it's still worth mentioning.
In this vein, flavored instant puddings might also soothe.
I've never experienced this, so my comments are just gut responses.
Food allergies? Infection, such as already mentioned?
If coffee helps, perhaps the caffeine in it is an antidote? But to what? Does she react to any other liquids, positively or negatively? If so, which ones? Can she tolerate Ensure Plus or Boost Plus for some extra nutrition? What about just plain water?
I understand you're looking for relief as opposed to causes, but eventually finding the cause could be the best relief.
I'm also wondering about getting a consult with an endocrinologist; that kind of exam would probably involve blood cultures, which might offer some clues. Sensodyne toothpaste might help if the issue involves her teeth, but I'm thinking that tissues of the mouth are reacting as well. Perhaps an allergist would be another good physician to consult, especially since sneezing, coughing and watery eyes are the responses.
Has she been living at home with anyone during the time that this has occurred? If at a facility, perhaps there's something that's used in the cooking process.
I'm wondering also if the coolness of ice cream offers any relief?
Another last minute thought - PESTICIDES, ADDITIVES and other adulterating substances might be the cause. Fresh fruits and vegetables are so contaminated by pesticides, which can produce a range of issues ranging from neurological effects to anaphylaxis.
I learned the hard way to avoid anything with MSG, sodium nitrate and sodium nitrite. Cukes, strawberries, apples and celery are part of the Dirty Dozen foods contaminated with pesticides. Even washing them in hot water doesn't remove all the residue, and some of it is absorbed systemically.
I shouldn't have gone. Too many days without food or drink.
When I got back, I went to put her lip balm on, an everyday occurence, and she wouldn't let me even touch her lips. I could tell it hurt her. Got her to open her mouth, and could easily see the coating. It was all in her mouth and down her throat. By then she couldn't do the 'swish and spit'. Or even swish. And it hurt too much to swallow.
She was gone within 9 days.
Can not forget she went in pain.
Please have them check your loved one carefully.
See All Answers