Have you ever had bad taste in your mouth? Maybe it was after eating something you shouldn’t have, or maybe it just came out of nowhere. Either way, it can be pretty unpleasant. But why does this happen? Let’s take a closer look at the science behind a bad taste in your mouth.
What causes a bad taste in your mouth?
Poor hygiene is one of the primary causes of a bad taste in the mouth. Poor oral hygiene, such as failing to brush, floss, and rinse with a regular frequency, can lead to unpleasant sulfur compounds that build up in the mouth, causing an offending taste. Additionally, these compounds can cause bad breath. Poor nutrition also plays an important role in causing a bad taste in the mouth.
Eating too much sugar and processed foods can increase plaque buildup and alter the pH balance of your mouth, creating an environment where bacteria thrive – another major culprit for nasty tastes in the mouth.
Certain medications or illnesses may contain certain byproducts that cause metallic or bitter tastes to emerge while they’re here. Fortunately, taking care of your oral health and watching your nutrition can help with most cases of bad taste in your mouth.
A dry mouth can be extremely uncomfortable and cause unpleasant symptoms like a bad taste in the mouth. The medical term for dry mouth is xerostomia, which occurs when there is insufficient saliva to keep the mouth moist. This can arise due to issues like Sjogren’s syndrome, strokes, diabetes or cancer treatments, medication side effects, or even just dehydration.
Oral thrush is an infection caused by a very common fungus known as Candida albicans. It is most commonly found in the warm and moist environment of the mouth, and it can cause several unpleasant symptoms such as a sore mouth, difficulty eating, and a chronically bad taste in the mouth. The bad taste in one’s mouth from oral thrush can be so strong that even brushing one’s teeth does not make much of a difference. In more serious cases, other ailments associated with digesting food can occur, which makes proper treatment from an oral health professional essential for full relief. Treatments typically involve antifungal medications to help stop the growth of the infection, allowing it to heal naturally without any lasting complications.
Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a medical condition characterized by an uncomfortable and often painful sensation in the tongue and mouth. It can range from minor irritation to extreme pain, making it difficult to eat, drink, or talk. A common symptom of BMS is a persistent bad taste in the mouth, which can last for days or weeks. This bad taste happens when saliva becomes thick and tasteless due to a lack of essential vitamins and minerals. Additionally, nerve damage caused by BMS can also cause food tastes to become distorted or muted, making eating unappetizing. Luckily, BMS can be successfully managed with lifestyle changes such as reducing stress levels and balancing your diet for maximum nutrition. If you suspect that you may have BMS, talk to your doctor; they can offer advice on ways to alleviate this unpleasant condition.
Contact us!
If you’ve noticed a peculiar, unpleasant taste in your mouth that won’t seem to go away, contact your dentist at Smile4Ever Family Dentistry. Bad tastes or odors in the mouth can indicate many potential health problems, including gum disease, dry mouth, diabetes, certain infections, and more. A dental expert can assess your medical history and examine your teeth and gums to diagnose the root cause of the issue to suggest appropriate treatments. Don’t brush off that persistent bad taste; trust Smile4Ever Family Dentistry to provide much-needed insight into what this could mean for your oral health.