A bad, unpleasant taste in the mouth can be the result of a number of diseases and even trivial everyday situations. It may occur after eating, due to a cough, runny nose, or be felt all the time, depending on the cause. Many prescription and over-the-counter medications can affect your sense of taste and cause an unpleasant sensation or a strange taste on the tongue.
The feeling of an unpleasant taste in the mouth is usually temporary and improves once the underlying cause of the problem is addressed. Consuming certain foods or tobacco products may cause an unpleasant or sour, bitter, or chemical taste in the mouth. Poor dental health (caries, other lesions) and poor oral hygiene are other potential causes of bad taste in the mouth.
Dysgeusia is the medical term for a disorder of taste. This can cause unpleasant taste sensations ranging from metallic to salty or bitter. Bad taste can also be described as unpleasant or rancid. The severity of the unpleasant taste varies greatly from person to person.
Dysgeusia can be caused by infections (eg, colds, flu, sinus infections), inflammation, injury, or environmental factors. A history of radiation therapy for head and neck cancer may also cause a bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes women in early pregnancy find that their sense of taste has changed, which can lead to an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Depending on the cause of the bad taste, there may be other accompanying symptoms such as nausea or dry mouth.
Causes of bad taste in the mouth in adults
Find out whether the strange taste in your mouth is caused by gum disease, medications, dry mouth, or a more serious medical condition. Sometimes an unpleasant taste in your mouth is completely normal. But if you've had a strange taste in your mouth for a few days, it could be a sign of an underlying dental or medical problem. Although the most common causes may not be serious, it is best to discuss treatment with your dentist.
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What diseases lead to impaired sense of taste?
The list of pathologies characterized by impaired taste perception is quite wide:
- diseases of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and tongue (stomatitis, glossitis);
- anemia;
- respiratory infections;
- pathologies of a neurological nature;
- coronavirus infection;
- diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism;
- mental disorders;
- fungal infections in the oral cavity (candidiasis);
- viral hepatitis in acute form;
- malignant neoplasms in the oral cavity;
- Sjögren's syndrome.
Taste disturbances can develop after a course of radiation therapy, trauma to the mouth, nose, head, due to a lack of zinc and vitamin B12 in the body.
Symptoms of bad taste in the mouth in adults
A strange or unpleasant taste in the mouth is, at best, an irritation, and at worst, it can be a symptom of a serious medical condition. If you have an unpleasant taste that never goes away or returns regularly, you should talk to your dentist or GP. The condition may be caused by problems in your mouth or another part of the body, or by medications or supplements you take.
Taste buds and nerves coming from your mouth help you enjoy the taste of food and drink, but they can also transmit the sensation of unpleasant taste. Patients report that their mouth tastes like old coins or has a metallic, rancid, bitter or burning, sour taste. Sometimes the taste is just bad, without being specific. The discomfort may last continuously for days or weeks, or may come and go. What causes a strange taste in your mouth?
Gum diseases. If you experience a strange metallic taste in your mouth, it is most likely caused by gum disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. According to experts, nearly half of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease. Bad breath or a strange taste in the mouth is a common symptom.
What to do about it? Make an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist can examine your teeth, determine whether a bad taste in your mouth is a sign of gum disease, and create a treatment plan. Since gum disease can be caused by poor oral hygiene, it is also important to take good care of your teeth at home. Dentists recommend that all adults do the following:
- brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste;
- clean the spaces between your teeth daily;
- Eat a healthy diet that limits sugary drinks and snacks;
- Visit your dentist regularly to prevent and treat oral diseases.
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Medicines. Studies have shown that more than 350 drugs in all major categories cause complaints of altered taste, often leaving a metallic or bitter taste in the mouth. Vitamins, supplements, and cancer treatments such as chemotherapy can also cause this problem.
Check with your doctor to find out if any medications you are currently taking may be causing a bitter taste in your mouth and to discuss alternatives.
Dry mouth. Xerostomia, or dry mouth, occurs when salivation decreases. In addition to leaving a strange taste in the mouth, it can cause difficulty tasting food, chewing, swallowing, and even speaking. It is a relatively common condition that can be caused by a variety of factors, including medications, aging, menopause and diabetes.
If you suspect you have dry mouth, make an appointment with your dentist. He will be able to confirm the diagnosis, relieve discomfort and treat the problem to prevent complications.
Burning mouth syndrome. Maybe, in addition to the bad taste in your mouth, you also feel as if your mouth was burned by hot coffee? You may be suffering from burning mouth syndrome. This condition can affect the roof of the mouth, tongue, gums, back of the mouth or throat, and the inside of the cheeks. Often accompanied by a bitter or metallic taste. If you experience a burning sensation in your mouth and a strange taste, make an appointment with your dentist, who will confirm the diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Oral candidiasis. Thrush is a fungal infection in the mouth that can leave a sweet or metallic taste. This often causes white patches to appear on the tongue, mouth, or throat. Oral thrush is common in denture wearers and people with weak immune systems.
Make an appointment with your dentist if you think you have thrush. In the meantime, practice good oral hygiene. If possible, clean your dentures regularly.
Respiratory infections. Some diseases or infections can cause a strange taste in your mouth. Tonsillitis, sinus infections, ear infections, and colds can leave a bitter or metallic taste in the mouth.
If a strange taste in your mouth is a sign of a cold or other minor infection, it will likely go away once the infection is treated. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor. In the meantime, drink plenty of fluids and rest.
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Pregnancy. Hormones present during pregnancy can cause dysgeusia, or changes in the sense of taste. They can cause a woman to lose her taste for foods she previously loved, or to develop cravings for foods she has always disliked. Pregnancy hormones can also cause a metallic or sour taste in the mouth, even if a woman doesn't eat anything.
What to do about it? Be patient. Although dysgeusia can last throughout the entire 9 months, it most often occurs in the first trimester. It may be annoying, but it won't last forever and is nothing to worry about. Maintain good oral hygiene and eat what you can.
More serious illnesses. If there are no other symptoms, a metallic taste in the mouth is most likely not a sign of a serious illness. However, in some cases, a strange metallic taste in the mouth may be a sign of diabetes, neurological conditions such as dementia, liver disease, kidney disease, or even certain types of cancer.
If you experience other severe symptoms or a metallic taste in your mouth, contact your doctor. Be sure to talk about all the symptoms you are experiencing, even if they seem unrelated.
Other causes of urine odor from the mouth
Protein diets, prolonged fasting, monotonous, unbalanced nutrition, drinking a small amount of liquid per day often lead to disruption of water-salt and electrolyte balance. If a large amount of protein food enters the body, the load on the kidneys and liver increases significantly.
Medicines, protein complexes, and nutritional supplements can also cause bad breath. Especially if pharmacological preparations, mineral and vitamin complexes contain nitrogen-containing substances, amino acids, and proteins.
Abuse of alcohol, drugs, and bad habits lead to irreversible consequences in the body and provoke the development of various systemic pathologies and functional disorders.
A constantly emanating uremic aroma indicates a violation of biochemical processes in our body. Therefore, in order to eliminate and neutralize the stench, it is important to establish the root cause of ammonia “amber”.
Treatment of bad taste in the mouth in adults
The fastest way to find the root of the problem is to make an appointment with your dentist. If you experience other serious symptoms besides a strange taste in your mouth, or suspect your medications may be causing it, see your GP.
Diagnostics
An unpleasant taste in the mouth that does not go away on its own or returns regularly should not be ignored. Talk to your dentist or primary care physician so they can determine the cause and prescribe treatment if necessary.
Diagnostics
Making a correct diagnosis based solely on the manifestation of such a symptom is impossible even for the most experienced gastroenterologist. For this reason, diagnostic measures will be comprehensive and include:
FGDS procedure
- studying the medical history and life history of the patient - this is necessary to identify the factors of occurrence, since not all of them may be pathological;
- a thorough physical examination;
- detailed survey – to assess the entire clinical picture;
- clinical and biochemical studies of urine and blood;
- Ultrasound and radiography;
- FGDS and biopsy;
- other examination methods prescribed on an individual basis.
Complications and consequences
When the provoking factor of the pathology is a disease of the internal organs, then without appropriate therapy it can transform into a chronic form. Often such symptoms signal the development of diabetes.
During pregnancy, gestational diabetes is observed, which also has its own complications:
- Difficulties with the functioning of the urinary organs, resulting in swelling;
- Blood pressure increases;
- There is a disturbance in the blood flow to the brain;
- Late toxicosis is noted.
A milky taste in the mouth is a symptom of a large number of pathologies, some of which provoke dangerous complications.
Therefore, in such a situation, the prognosis depends on the factor that caused the condition.
Treatment
Treatment consists of identifying the cause of the pathology and getting rid of it. Depending on the disease that caused the taste disturbance, physiotherapeutic procedures, medications, and surgery may be prescribed.
Surgery is required in complex cases, such as tumors, brain injuries, mouth and nose. Sometimes a specialist corrects the shape and structure of the nose and tongue.
Medicines are prescribed if the disorder is caused by drug treatment, the doctor may change the drugs or reduce the dosage. Antihistamines, anti-inflammatory and antifungal drugs may be recommended.
Physiotherapeutic treatments can be prescribed as an additional treatment to enhance the healing effect. The most effective are:
- magnetic therapy;
- ozone therapy;
- reflexology;
- electrophoresis;
- massage.
Neurological and mental illnesses in most cases require long-term treatment, followed by a recovery period.
Causes of GERD
Reflux (reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus) can occur for the following reasons:
decreased tone of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Sphincter weakness may result from:- consumption of caffeinated drinks, chocolate;
- smoking;
- alcohol abuse;
- hormonal changes during pregnancy;
taking certain medications;
- flatulence (which, in turn, can be a consequence of poor nutrition, gastrointestinal diseases, digestive disorders - dyspepsia);
pregnancy;
- hiatal hernia.
For the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease, not only the reflux itself is important, but also some other factors that contribute to the aggravation of the situation, for example:
- depressed state of the esophageal mucosa, in which it is unable to resist damage;
- impaired ability of the esophagus to cleanse itself. Normally, the esophagus should quickly be cleared of the stomach contents that have entered it - due to gravity and peristalsis, and the acidity of the environment should be eliminated by sodium bicarbonate, which is part of the saliva.
Factors that provoke reflux are:
- stress;
- eating too much food (overeating);
- eating foods that cause increased gas formation and other digestive disorders;
- physical activity after meals.
Diagnostic measures for taste disturbances
At the initial visit to the doctor, one or another preliminary diagnosis may be made. To confirm it, it is necessary to undergo a number of studies: both laboratory and instrumental:
- clinical blood test (general and biochemical);
- laboratory tests to determine allergies;
- determination of glucose, vitamin B12, iron and zinc;
- CT scan;
- MRI of the head;
- ultrasound examination of internal organs (liver, kidneys, blood vessels).
Hormone testing may be required.
Functions of saliva in the body
Xerostomia is a condition when the salivary glands stop producing enough saliva. This physiological fluid performs certain tasks in the mouth:
- wetting and softening pieces of food;
- fight against viruses and bacteria;
- lubricating the throat for smooth swallowing of food;
- maintaining the correct biological environment in the mouth;
- protecting teeth from caries.
Without the protective function of saliva, it is easier for a person to get infectious diseases.
