Does alcohol or salty food affect your BMS?

I wouldn't wish BMS on my worst enemy. No one knows unless you have it what a hellish condition BMS is. I have found carbonated beverages, red wine (my favorite) and acid-based foods trigger my BMS. Water either from the tap or bottled has a metallic taste. The BMS stopped for about 3 mos. last year. I thought I had licked it but back it came. Currently, I am using "magic mouthwash" and have just started dexamethasone rinse. I also chew sugarless gum and my GP recently prescribed Zolpidem (5mg) for sleep. Wishing you the best... Buster 25443

I have had Primary BMS daily for over 7 years. Finally received a correct diagnosis out of state by an Orofacial Pain Specialist at a Dental School. He told me my BMS was caused by damage to sensory portion of 3 different nerves that supply Oral cavity. My specific affected Nerves were 5, 7, & 9. My lips, tongue, roof of mouth, gums always burn. Before 'BMS' I always salted my food(s) or recipes. After getting BMS, I could no longer tolerate ANY salt. My mouth tasted like I had 20 cups of salt in it, so I quit using salt entirely. The burning has never stopped in 7 years, despite stopping salt. Luckily, my mouth doesn't taste like salt any longer. However, with the 2 prescriptions he prescribed, the burning usually hangs around a level 3-5 but can be triggered to a 10 by most all food. I eat very bland, home cooked, non-processed foods in order to keep the pain level as low as possible. Citric acid, a preservative in 90% of all food in grocery stores sends my pain into orbit. It is possible a nerve might have been adversely traumatized or damaged with your dental work. The specialist told me sometimes with dental work, a nerve can be accidentally damaged since they cannot see through flesh where they are injecting and bms can be caused. He also stated there are other possible causes. I've had repeated Sjogren testing also which has always been negative. I chew gum, keep ICE cold water with me 24/7. I hold Ice water on my tongue to cool it off. I find a glass of wine sipped through a long straw actually helps reduce the burning pain because alcohol increases or turns up Gaba receptors in brain, as some medication does and provides me pain relief. Only 1 glass around 6 pm. Try to see an Orofacial Pain Specialist for 2nd opinion. I had to travel 3 states away to find one. Burning Mouth is what they study and treat. I went to dozens of different physicians and dentists who knew nothing and were not interested. But my out of state Specialist, was thorough, understanding and told me after a 2+ hour consultation, I had primary vs secondary, BMS. I had to quit eating Italian, Thai, Chinese, all seasonings, etc. I stopped dining out because the intensified burning pain wasn't worth it for me. I avoid Mint like its arsenic, kicks pain to a 10. My dentist suggested I try Oxyfresh Pro Relief Dental Gel. I have used it for 6 years in place of toothpaste, without any cavities despite no fluoride in it. Despite it saying 'mint' on label, it isn't enough to increase my burning. I find it soothing, my dentist does not sell it, I order it online as it can't be purchased in stores. Maybe it would help reduce your burning pain. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. I think if you could find an Orofacial Pain Specialist (some at Universities as Professors in Dental Schools, some in private practice) you may find more or better help for the BMS pain. I can only say that for me, the Orofacial Pain Specialist/Professor was a Godsend. We remain in touch 7 years later. My best to you...