The oral carriage of Candida species and coliforms in a healthy adult population and a group of patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) was investigated. The intra-oral prevalence of Candida species and coliforms was higher in the BMS group compared with the controls. The most frequent yeast isolated from the BMS group was Candida albicans while Enterobacter and Klebsiella species were the most prevalent coliforms. The possible reasons and the significance of the above findings are discussed.