Bad taste in the mouth in adults
From time to time, an unpleasant taste in the mouth can occur in adults, disappearing after careful oral hygiene. But if the taste becomes persistent, you need to worry – these can be signs of health problems.

A bad, unpleasant taste in the mouth can be the result of a range of illnesses and even mundane everyday situations. It can occur after a meal, due to a cough, a runny nose, or it can be felt all the time, depending on the cause. Many prescription and over-the-counter medications can affect the sense of taste and cause an unpleasant sensation, a strange taste on the tongue.

The sensation of bad taste in the mouth is usually temporary and improves after the root cause of the problem is removed. The use of certain foods or tobacco products can cause an unpleasant or sour, bitter, chemical taste in the mouth. Poor dental health (cavities, other lesions) and poor oral hygiene are other potential causes of bad taste in the mouth.

Dysgeusia is a medical term for a disturbance in the sense of taste. This can cause an unpleasant taste sensation ranging from metallic to salty or bitter. Bad taste can also be described as unpleasant or rancid. The degree of severity of an unpleasant taste varies greatly from person to person.

Dysgeusia can be caused by infections (eg, colds, flu, sinus infections), inflammation, trauma, or environmental factors. Radiation therapy for a history of head and neck cancer can also cause bad taste in the mouth. Sometimes, women in early pregnancy find that their sense of taste has changed, which can lead to bad 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 if the strange taste in your mouth is caused by gum disease, medications, dry mouth, or a more serious condition. Sometimes a bad taste in your mouth is completely normal. But if you’ve had a strange taste in your mouth for several 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.

Symptoms of bad taste in the mouth in adults

A strange or unpleasant taste in your mouth is at best an irritation, and at worst it can be a symptom of a serious illness. If you have bad taste that never goes away or comes back regularly, you should talk to your dentist or GP. The condition can be caused by problems in the mouth or other part of the body, or by medications or supplements you take.

Taste buds and nerves from your mouth help you enjoy the taste of food and drink, but they can also transmit the sensation of bad taste. Patients report that they have a taste of old coins in their mouths, or a metallic, rancid, bitter, or burning, sour taste. Sometimes the taste is just bad, without concretization. Unpleasant sensations may last continuously for several days or weeks, or may come and go. What causes a strange taste in your mouth?

Gum disease. If you feel a strange metallic taste in your mouth, it is most likely caused by gum disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Nearly half of adults aged 30 and over have some form of gum disease, according to experts. Bad breath or a strange taste in the mouth is a common symptom.

What to do with it? Make an appointment with the dentist. Your dentist will be able to check your teeth, determine if bad taste in your mouth is a sign of gum disease, and make a treatment plan. Because gum disease can be caused by poor oral hygiene, it’s 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;
  • brush the spaces between your teeth daily;
  • Eat a healthy diet that limits sugary drinks and snacks.
  • visit your dentist regularly for the prevention and treatment of oral diseases.

Medicines. Studies have shown that more than 350 drugs in all major categories cause taste alteration complaints, 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 see if any medications you are currently taking may cause a bitter taste in your mouth and to discuss alternatives.

Dryness in the mouth. Xerostomia, or dry mouth, occurs when salivation decreases. In addition to a strange taste in the mouth, it can cause difficulty in tasting food, chewing, swallowing, and even speaking. This 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 in order to prevent complications.

Burning mouth syndrome. Maybe, in addition to the bad taste in your mouth, you also feel like your mouth has been burned by hot coffee? You may be suffering from burning mouth syndrome. This condition can affect the palate, tongue, gums, the 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 candidiasis is common in those who wear dentures and in people with weak immune systems.

Make an appointment with your dentist if you suspect you have thrush. In the meantime, keep your 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 the common cold can all leave a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth.

If the strange taste in your mouth is a sign of a cold or other minor infection, it will likely go away after the infection is treated. If symptoms persist, see a doctor. In the meantime, drink plenty of fluids and rest.

Pregnancy. Hormones present during pregnancy can cause dysgeusia, or altered taste sensations. They can cause a woman to lose her taste for food she used to love or develop cravings for food she has always disliked. Pregnancy hormones can also cause a metallic or sour taste in the mouth even if the woman is not eating anything.

What to do with it? Be patient. Although dysgeusia can last for up to 9 months, it most often occurs in the first trimester. It can be annoying, but it won’t last forever and is nothing to worry about. Practice 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 your mouth can 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, as well as a metallic taste in your mouth, see your doctor. Be sure to talk about all the symptoms you are experiencing, even if they seem unrelated to each other.

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 the dentist. If you are experiencing other serious symptoms besides a strange taste in your mouth, or if you suspect that medications may be the cause, see your GP.

Diagnostics

A bad taste in the mouth that does not go away on its own or comes back regularly should not be ignored. Talk to your dentist or GP so they can figure out the cause and prescribe treatment if necessary.

Modern treatments

Eliminating the cause of bad taste in your mouth is the obvious and best way to get rid of the problem. Professional cleaning twice a year and regular brushing and flossing can prevent gum disease. Try rinsing your mouth with mouthwash, which provides 12-hour protection against the bacteria that causes gingivitis. Alternatively, your doctor may prescribe saliva replacement, pain relievers, nerve pain blockers, or anesthetic mouthwashes to treat burning mouth syndrome.

If supplements or medications are causing the bad taste, stopping them should get rid of the taste, but your doctor can advise you on the best course of action.

Prevention of unpleasant taste in the mouth in adults at home

What can help you get rid of bad taste in your mouth:

  • brush your teeth (and tongue) at least twice a day;
  • use dental floss every day;
  • chew sugar-free gum;
  • do not skip breakfast;
  • stop smoking;
  • drink plenty of water.

Popular questions and answers

Experts answered questions related to bad taste in the mouth: dentist Julia Lapushkina и Gastroenterologist Marat Zinnatullin.

Is bad taste in your mouth dangerous?
A whole book can be written about the causes and shades of an unpleasant aftertaste in the oral cavity. As practice shows, the reason lies more often in dental diseases – chronic purulent forms of pulpitis and periodontitis, periodontal disease, – says dentist Julia Lapushkina. – Bad taste is always accompanied by bad breath, some patients report that they can taste this smell. This is not dangerous, but the symptom requires attention and prompt treatment.
Is it possible to get rid of an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth?
Only a doctor can determine the tactics of treatment based on the cause of its appearance. But one thing can be said for sure – for high-quality treatment, several specialists of different specialties should participate in it. This is the only way to get rid of all the symptoms and possible consequences, – explains Dr. Lapushkina.
What digestive issues can cause bad taste in your mouth?
Unpleasant taste in the mouth can be a reaction to the use of low-quality food, and also occurs after taking very sour, spicy, overcooked food, or unusual for the diet of a particular person, says Gastroenterologist Marat Zinnatullin. – But if unpleasant sensations are repeated with a certain frequency and are not associated with the qualitative composition of the food, then you should consult a doctor to find out the reasons. These are not always diseases of the digestive system, the causes may be diseases of the ENT organs, the oral cavity. If there are no problems in these areas, then it is worth visiting a gastroenterologist. A sour taste in the mouth often indicates diseases of the stomach and occurs with an increase in acidity. This is observed in gastritis with high acidity, peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A bitter taste is more commonly associated with gallbladder and bile duct problems. The smell of rotten occurs with gastritis with low acidity, congestion in the stomach and intestines. A metallic taste occurs with anemia, poisoning. The taste of sweet or acetone – with diabetes.
What other alarming symptoms can be with an unpleasant taste in the mouth?
An unpleasant taste in the mouth can be the first symptom of a serious illness, and if you do not pay attention to it, you can lose sight of irreversible processes. Therefore, if you experience a persistent unpleasant odor or taste in your mouth, you should consult a doctor, explains Dr. Zinnatullin.
Is it possible to cure this folk methods or without the participation of a doctor?
Normalization of nutrition, compliance with hygiene measures can lead in some cases to the disappearance of symptoms. You can mask an unpleasant aftertaste in your mouth with mint, cloves or other means, advises gastroenterologist Marat Zinnatullin, but he warns: by masking an unpleasant taste, you delay going to the doctor to find out the true causes of the onset of symptoms, which means that serious diseases may not be recognized.

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