Micronutrients status as a contributing factor in secondary burning mouth syndrome: A review of the literature

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) experience an annoying feeling without clinical evidence of any mucosal lesion. Deficiency or excess of micronutrients is a common feature in secondary BMS. There is limited knowledge among oral healthcare providers regarding the significance of micronutrients in oral health, so the current review focuses on the critical role of these elements in oral health implications as secondary BMS. Methods For the data collection, the authors searched for key terms without time limitation (1900–2021) in databases comprised of PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science (SCI), and Embase. Results The total number of matched articles with inclusion criteria involved in this review article was 59 original articles. Among these, 20 randomized clinical trials (RCT), 31 case‐control or Crossectional, and 8 case reports/series are reviewed in this review article. Conclusion One of the important etiological factors in patients with secondary BMS is micronutrient imbalance. The iron, zinc, vitamin B family, vitamin D deficiency and increased levels of homocysteine and oxidant agents were examined in secondary BMS patients. In addition, oral medicine specialists must consider the possible toxic effects of some elements in restorations and dental prostheses. Further studies, such as RCTs in the future, are recommended.

Keywords

• antioxidants
• burning mouth syndrome
• micronutrient
• trace elements
• vitamins