Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a complex chronic disorder characterized symptomatically by burning sensation mainly localized in the tongue with no specific lesions. Its etiology is not fully understood. Due to the persistent pain and unsatisfactory outcome of treatment, patients with high expectation when seeking medical advice easily feel discontent after treatment, which might cause medical dispute. This review introduces the epidemiology, manifestations, etiology, diagnosis, classification and treatment of BMS. The authors hope the current advances about BMS, mainly focus on the etiology of biological nerve and social psychology, may help the clinicians in treatment of BMS.