Taste is a fundamental part of human experience. There’s just something magical about indulging in one of your favorite snacks or feasting on a truly delicious dinner. A specific flavor can take you back to a nostalgic moment in your life, connect you to your loved ones, or simply make your day. So when a bitter, foul, disgusting taste gets stuck in your mouth, it’s nothing short of devastating. You can’t even properly enjoy your regular lunch break!
Many, many different things can cause an awful tang to overstay its welcome, including a few oral health conditions. Keep reading to explore the bitter truth behind the unsavory taste in your mouth.
Concerning Oral Health Conditions
Now, concerning oral health conditions rarely develop with a bad aftertaste as the only symptom. They’re usually accompanied by discomfort, outright pain, bumps and sores, swelling, and other unpleasantness. However, if you wait too long to address the problem with your dentist, these more obvious red flags can fade. In this case, it’s still possible you have:
- Gum disease
- Cavities
- Oral cancer
- Oral thrush
Remember, while chronic bad taste could mean you’re experiencing a serious oral health condition, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are. There are also some potential causes that are on the more benign end of the spectrum.
Natural Causes
For instance, you could simply be experiencing a natural result of one of these “normal” problems:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Dry mouth
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- GERD (acid reflux)
- Pine nut syndrome (a very strange condition where some people develop a bitter taste in their mouth after eating pine nuts)
- Sinus infections, colds, and flu
It’s still worth consulting your dentist or general doctor, though, so they can help you manage your symptoms and treat the issue.
Medications
Another good reason to talk to your doctor about your suffering taste buds is that the fault could be with your medication, supplements, or other medicinal aids. Here are some common remedies that are known to have this side-effect:
- Denture adhesive
- Copper, iron, and zinc supplements
- Some antibiotics, like tetracycline, allopurinol, and lithium
- Antidepressants that cause dry mouth
Since so many different things can make a bad taste to linger in your mouth, it’s important to visit a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. If this symptom lasts longer than 24 hours and doesn’t go away after brushing your teeth, call your dentist right away!
About the Practice
You can count on our team at Villagio Family & Cosmetic Dental to provide prompt and quality treatment for patients with a dental emergency. Even if you’re experiencing concerning symptoms like a bad taste in your mouth outside of our normal work hours, call 281-394-4001 to contact our office. We’ll listen intently as you describe your situation, can provide any necessary first-aid guidance over the phone, and will help you make next-step arrangements so you can be taken care of quickly!