Would could be causing my burning tongue and dental pain?

Hi, Dr. T.

I have a had a burning tongue and teeth pain for 2 years. I have seen 3 dentists and 3 doctors. I have been on 12 meds, to no avail. I am now taking the anti-fungals olive leaf and oil of oregano, plus B6 and B12, but it doesn’t help. I know it is nothing serious. Can you offer any advice on what I might do? Thank you for taking the time to read this.

God’s many blessings,

Cathy

Answer

Dear Cathy,

There are a number of things that contribute to burning tongue. If the tongue is smooth (with the taste buds gone), low iron and B12 need to be considered. If it has a white coating or is fissured, then B vitamin deficiencies are more likely, especially if the burning is located near the tip or sides of the tongue and affects just a small area. If the entire tongue is burning, and Vitamin B12 and iron levels are OK, then it is suspicious for "Burning Tongue Syndrome" which is suspected to be a neuropathy (nerve pain). One study did show lipoic acid to be helpful (300 mg 2 x day — can take 6 months to work), and a good multivitamin powder, CoEnzyme Q10 at 200-400 mg a day, and acetyl l carnitine 1500 mg a day also can help the nerves to heal.

For the dental pain, if in multiple teeth and no obvious cause on X ray/exam, it is worth using sensodyne toothpaste for sensitive teeth. Especially important is that pain and sensitivity in the teeth is often referred pain from tight muscles in the face (called myofascial pain with trigger points). Finding someone who knows how to do myofascial release for the face muscles may help, as can a prescription pain gel (available from Cape Pharmacy in Annapolis, MD, by prescription — they can mail it once your doctor calls the prescription in) over the key tender muscle areas, a pea size amount 2-3 x day (takes 2-4 weeks to work). Also see my book Pain Free 1-2-3 for more information, along with articles on neuropathy and muscle pain at http://www.vitality101.com, including http://www.vitality101.com/health-a-z/Pain-effective_treatment_neuropathic and http://www.vitality101.com/health-a-z/Dental-problems_in_cfs_fibromyalgia.

L&B

Dr. T