You want to go spend time with friends all around Manhattan, but something always bothers you. Throughout the day, you wonder: why is there always a bad taste in my mouth? You’re not sure if it’s something you ate, or you didn’t brush your teeth well enough. The bitter taste persists no matter what and you want to know why. You’re in luck! Your local New York dentist can provide you some insight on this chronic issue.
What is Dysgeusia?
If you’ve experienced a constant foul taste in your mouth, you most likely have a condition known as dysgeusia. It is an unpleasant and long-lasting taste that remains even after brushing your teeth. The bitter, metallic, salty, or rancid taste can be distracting, keeping you from enjoying your regular day.
What Causes Dysgeusia?
There are a multitude of underlying causes for a bitter taste in the mouth. Many should be addressed right away to prevent dysgeusia from continuing. Here are several conditions that can cause the bad taste in your mouth:
- Dry mouth—the mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva to break down bacteria.
- Dental issues—poor dental hygiene can increase cavities, infections, and gum disease.
- Pregnancy—hormones fluctuate in the body during pregnancy, affecting the senses.
- Burning mouth syndrome—a condition that causes a burning sensation in the mouth, sometimes introducing a bitter or foul taste.
- Menopause—due to lower estrogen levels, women going through menopause can experience a secondary condition, like burning mouth syndrome.
- Acid reflux (GERD)—when the muscle or sphincter at the top of the stomach is weak, it allows acid or bile to go up into the food pipe, irritating it and causing a burning sensation in the chest or abdomen.
- Oral thrush—a yeast infection in the mouth, causing white spots to appear on the tongue, mouth, or throat.
- Pine nut syndrome—eating pine nuts may cause a bad taste in the mouth but goes away after some weeks.
- Stress and anxiety—high levels of stress or anxiety can alter sense of taste or cause dry mouth.
- Nerve damage—damaged taste buds can affect how a person experiences taste.
- Medications/oral supplements—some medicines, supplements, or medical treatments cause a bitter taste due to the medicine’s taste or the chemicals within.
- Illnesses—sinus infections or colds can be accompanied by a bitter taste in the mouth
- Cancer treatment—some cancer treatments can irritate the taste buds.
What Can I Do?
The first steps toward fixing the bad taste are a good dental hygiene routine and to visit your dentist regularly. Seeing your dentist right away can help you identify the problem quickly and implement a solution that’s best for you!
About the Author
Gramercy Dental Studio is run by Dr. Ira Newman, DDS, located in New York, NY. Graduate of Emory University School of Dentistry, and a member of multiple organizations including the ADA and ACD, Dr. Newman and his team strive to create a welcoming environment while providing advanced dentistry. Whether you have a serious oral problem or simply need a checkup and cleaning, Gramercy Dental Studio can help you identify issues of bitter tastes in the mouth. If you have any questions for them, feel free to visit their website or call 212-924-6890.
