March 21, 2024 — A new study by Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers indicates that photobiomodulation (also known as PBM or low-level laser therapy) could offer immediate pain relief for Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) patients.

According to the research published in Oral Diseases, findings highlight the potential of PBM as a promising treatment for BMS, despite some nuances in its effectiveness.

BMS is a painful, difficult-to-diagnose condition often described as a scalding or tingling feeling in the mouth that may occur every day for months or longer. While BMS can occur in anyone, it is seen more often in women than in men, particularly those experiencing perimenopause and menopause. Research suggests it affects menopausal women seven times more often than men, and that up to one-fifth of women in their 50s and older develop the condition. As a result, there is a critical need for comprehensive research and effective therapeutic interventions.

The study, utilizing PBM to stimulate cell function, was conducted by Dr. Yaron Haviv, Dr. Ori Finfter, Prof. Doron Aframian, and their team from the Oral Medicine Department at the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine. Thirty BMS patients received intraoral treatment for 10 weeks. Pain assessments were conducted using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) immediately after each treatment, with a calculation of weekly average VAS aiming to evaluate both the immediate and long-term effects of PBM on alleviating BMS symptoms.

These findings open new possibilities for understanding and addressing the challenges posed by BMS, offering hope for improved therapeutic interventions in the future.

The paper, titled “Photobiomodulation alleviates Burning Mouth Syndrome pain: Immediate and weekly outcomes explored” and published in Oral Diseases can be found here.

For more information on the Hebrew University Center for Research on Pain, click here.