When you drink a glass of lemonade, a bitter or sour taste is common, but it normally disappears after a little time or after brushing your teeth. However, if you have a bitter taste in your mouth that lingers or remains for an extended time and doesn’t improve after brushing your teeth, it can be an indication of an underlying condition.
A bitter taste can signal different things going on in your body. Sometimes, it’s a simple fix, like improving your oral hygiene. Other times, it might point to a more complex issue. So, how do you know what’s what?
Here, we take a closer look at the causes of bitter or unpleasant tastes in the mouth, what they may mean, and how your doctor or general dentist can help improve your taste.
Key Takeaways
- Dysgeusia is a persistent bad taste in the mouth (bitter, metallic, rancid, or salty).
- Common causes include poor oral hygiene, burning mouth syndrome, dry mouth, oral thrush, GERD, pregnancy, menopause, pine nut syndrome, illnesses, stress, and nerve damage.
- Regular brushing, flossing, dental exams, and reducing stress may help improve taste.
- Underlying conditions like GERD, pregnancy, and menopause can cause temporary taste changes.
- Pine nut syndrome causes bitter/metallic taste from eating pine nuts, usually resolves on its own.
Common Causes of a Bitter Taste
Many things can cause a bitter taste. Here are some of the common reasons.
Poor Oral Hygiene
When you don’t brush and floss enough, bacteria can build up, causing dental decay, infection, and gum disease. All these can leave a bad taste in the mouth. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental exams and checkups can help ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and reduce the risk of bad taste developing in your mouth.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
Burning mouth syndrome is a condition that causes a burning sensation, much like after you eat spicy foods. In addition to this odd sensation, many also experience a bitter or rancid taste.
Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
A dry mouth is a condition that can be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as Sjogren’s, or caused by medications and tobacco use. Having a dry mouth means you have reduced levels of saliva and because saliva helps reduce bacterial buildup in the mouth, you can experience increased bacterial levels, contributing to a bitter or foul taste in the mouth.
Oral thrush
Also known as oral candidiasis, oral thrush is a fungal infection caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans and is considered a yeast infection of the mouth. While Candida albicans is a naturally occurring fungus found in and on the body, when allowed to overgrow, this fungus can cause creamy white lesions and a white coating of the tongue, often described as cottage cheese-like in nature. This overgrowth contributes to the bitter or unpleasant taste you experience.
Gastrointestinal issues
Gastrointestinal reflux disease, or GERD, is another underlying condition that is a common cause of a bitter taste in the mouth. When you have GERD, the sphincter at the top of the stomach is not as effective at blocking acid and bile from coming back up. As this acid and bile rise, you may feel a burning sensation in the chest or abdomen, a sore throat, and a foul or bitter taste in the mouth.
Other potential causes
Pregnancy
A bitter or metallic taste is common during the first trimester of pregnancy as the hormones in the body adjust. This typically resolves itself later in the pregnancy or after giving birth.
Menopause
Changes in hormone levels, such as estrogen, occur during menopause and, much like during pregnancy, these changes can contribute to a regular bitter or metallic taste in the mouth.
Pine Nut Syndrome
While not actually nuts, pine nuts are seeds that many people enjoy as a snack or as an addition to a favorite recipe. However, for some people, eating pine nuts can cause a bitter or metallic taste that can develop a few days after eating the nuts. The good news is this condition resolves on its own within a few days to weeks.
Illnesses
Illnesses, such as the cold or flu, can also affect your ability to taste. While more than often it can make tasting anything difficult, inflammatory proteins used by your body to fight the illness can alter your taste buds, making things taste different than normal, often causing a bitter taste.
Stress and anxiety
High levels of stress and anxiety can contribute to changes in the body that can include dry mouth and alterations to taste. Reducing your stress and anxiety through meditation may be able to help return your taste to normal.
Nerve damage
Taste buds are connected to nerves that send signals to the brain, allowing you to experience taste. When these nerves are damaged, your sense of taste can often become altered. Nerve damage affecting the taste buds can often occur due to head injuries, epilepsy, brain tumors, or conditions like multiple sclerosis and Bell’s palsy.
Medications and supplements
Certain medications, such as antibiotics and cardiac drugs, as well as vitamins containing minerals and metals, such as iron, can affect your taste in several ways. Some medications can lead to dry mouth, which can contribute to bitter or foul tastes. In addition, some medications can affect your saliva, giving it a distinct taste.
Diagnosis: Finding the Root Cause
A bitter taste that won’t go away needs a doctor’s attention. Why? Because it can be a clue to something more than just a bad taste. Finding the cause is the first step to feeling better.
What happens when you see a doctor about this? They will start by asking about your medical history. This helps them understand any past or current health issues. Then, they will do a physical exam. This lets them check your mouth and throat.
Sometimes, doctors use taste tests. These tests help see how well you can taste different flavors. Blood tests are also common. They can show if there are any underlying conditions, like infections or vitamin deficiencies.
If the doctor thinks you might have GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), they might do an endoscopy. This is a procedure where a small tube with a camera is used to look inside your esophagus and stomach.
Finding the cause can take a few steps. But it’s important to get answers so you can get the right treatment.
Home remedies for bitter taste
The good news is there are many different remedies and tips you can do from home to help improve your sense of taste and reduce bitterness.
- Follow a good oral hygiene routine
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Chew sugar-free gum to help boost saliva production
- Stop smoking
- Limit acidic foods that can contribute to acid
- Talk to your doctor about medications for acid reflux and GERD
- If the bitter taste develops after a new medication, talk with your doctor about possible alternatives.
Treatment Options
The right treatment depends on what’s causing the bitter taste. Here are some common approaches:
- Improving Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is key. Brush your teeth twice a day. Floss once a day. Clean your tongue, too. Use a fluoride toothpaste and an antibacterial mouthwash. These steps help remove bacteria that can cause a bitter taste.
- Treating Dry Mouth: If dry mouth is the problem, sip water often. Sugar-free gum can help make more saliva. Saliva substitutes are also an option. For severe dry mouth, your doctor might prescribe medicine.
- Managing Acid Reflux/GERD: Changes to your diet can help with acid reflux. Avoid spicy and fatty foods. Raising the head of your bed can also help. Antacids and other medicines can reduce stomach acid.
- Addressing Medication Side Effects: If a medication is causing the bitter taste, talk to your doctor. They might change your prescription or suggest a different medicine.
- Supplementing Deficiencies: If you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, supplements can help. Zinc and vitamin B12 are common deficiencies that can affect taste.
- Treating Underlying Conditions: Treating any underlying health problems is important. Infections, liver problems, or kidney problems can all cause a bitter taste.
- Reducing Stress and Anxiety: Stress can affect your sense of taste. Exercise, meditation, and yoga can help reduce stress and improve your taste.
The Impact of Bitter Taste on Quality of Life
A persistent bitter taste can affect your daily life in several ways.
- Appetite and Nutrition: A bitter taste can make you lose your appetite. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies if you’re not eating enough.
- Enjoyment of Food: Food may not taste good anymore. This can make eating less enjoyable.
- Social Interactions: You might worry about bad breath. This can make you anxious about social situations.
When should you be concerned?
While most causes of a bitter taste are not serious, having these tastes all the time can affect your quality of life. If you continue to experience taste changes, even after brushing your teeth, it may be a good idea to visit your doctor or dentist to determine the underlying cause and how you can treat it.
Finding Your Fresh Taste Again
A bitter taste in your mouth can be more than just a passing annoyance. It can point to various underlying issues, from simple oral hygiene problems to more complex health conditions. Knowing the potential causes and available treatments can help you take the right steps to find relief. If you’re experiencing a persistent bitter taste, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the root cause and get appropriate care.
Don’t let a lingering bitter taste disrupt your daily life. If you’re in the Rohnert Park area and experiencing this issue, we’re here to help. At New Leaf Rohnert Park, we can assess your oral health and help you find the right solutions.
Request an appointment today online or call us at (707) 586-1549.
