The main reasons for the development of pathological taste in the mouth and ways to eliminate it

Author of the article:

Soldatova Lyudmila Nikolaevna

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Clinical Dentistry of the St. Petersburg Medical and Social Institute, Chief Physician of the Alfa-Dent Dental Clinic, St. Petersburg

The taste of blood in the mouth is quite common. However, this symptom should never be ignored. Of course, the reasons for its appearance can be quite harmless, for example, a slight injury to the gums or eating food from clay dishes. However, an unpleasant taste can also indicate very dangerous pathologies. Let's figure out why a metallic taste may appear in the mouth and what to do to eliminate it as soon as possible, and most importantly, remove the reasons for its appearance.

Conventionally, all the causes of a pronounced metallic taste can be divided into three groups:

• Dental problems are usually associated with increased bleeding of the gums.
• Oral injuries.
• Internal pathologies.

Taking various medications often leads to a taste of blood in the mouth.

general characteristics

A pathological disorder of taste perception is called dysgeusia.
Such a “perversion” of taste sensations can be a sign of the development of neurological, hormonal, mental disorders and other diseases, including those caused by a deficiency of certain substances in the body. If the taste of the products remains unchanged, this diagnosis can be excluded. In this case, we are talking about the temporary persistence of an unusual taste in the mouth, and most often the problem disappears when the cause of its appearance is eliminated.

Types of taste disorders

Often a person experiences hypogeusia or ageusia - a disruption of the functioning of taste buds. Such a deviation may be short-term in nature - in case of minor trauma to the oral cavity (food or liquid was too hot or cold). But sometimes a taste disorder signals the presence of a serious illness or malfunction of the body. Then hypogeusia becomes long-term, protracted and requires close attention and treatment.

Doctors identify several types of taste disorders:

• inability to recognize basic tastes – general or basic ageusia;
• problems with the perception of certain tastes – selective ageusia;
• lack of taste reaction to certain components - specific ageusia;
• inability to recognize all taste impressions - general hypogeusia;
• incorrect perception or confusion in taste sensations, replacement of all tastes with one - dysgeusia.

Basically, the loss of taste is accompanied by a loss of smell - a “symptom of nasal congestion.” Except in cases where loss of taste and smell is a signal of a more serious illness, it does not pose a threat to life. But the quality of social life is noticeably deteriorating. Such disorders lead to decreased appetite, apathy and subsequent depression.

Causes of taste in mouth

Throat diseases may be accompanied by an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
Photo: imagepointfr / Depositphotos Reasons for an unusual taste in the mouth may include:

• diseases of the teeth, gums and oral mucosa;
• pathologies of the ENT organs (nasopharynx, paranasal sinuses);
• unbalanced diet;
• diseases of the stomach and gall bladder;
• hormonal and neurological disorders;
• intoxication with chemicals.

In women, a change in taste can be a sign of pregnancy; in men, it is rarely associated with physiological conditions and hormonal surges. At the same time, diseases of the nervous, respiratory systems, or even cancer can lead to the development of symptoms. Doctors will help you understand the cause of the symptom: in this case, an integrated approach to examination and treatment is necessary.

Causes of blood taste in mouth

The characteristic taste of blood most often indicates increased bleeding of the gums. Also, such a taste can be a symptom of diseases of the nasopharynx and paranasal sinuses (sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, sinusitis).

Other reasons for feeling blood in the mouth:

• diseases of the bronchi and lungs (acute bronchitis, pneumonia, pleurisy, lung abscess);
• disorders of the hematopoietic system;
• diabetes;
• renal failure;
• oncological diseases;
• internal bleeding.

In addition, the sensation of blood in the mouth may be associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT):

• esophagitis;
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD);
• chronic gastritis;
• liver pathologies.

The taste of blood may occur due to biting the mucous membranes of the cheeks or tongue. In this case, it is enough to actively rinse your mouth with antiseptic solutions, for example, chlorhexidine, throughout the day.

Causes of bitter taste in mouth

An unpleasant bitter taste may appear in the morning after waking up or several hours after eating.

Common causes of a bitter taste in the mouth:

• Pathologies of the liver and gallbladder (hepatitis, cirrhosis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, gallbladder kinks), stagnation of bile - at a certain point, its excess leaves through the bile ducts, enters the stomach and penetrates the esophagus.
• Indigestion. Slowing intestinal motility leads to retention of undigested food in the gastrointestinal tract. This leads to fermentation processes and the appearance of a characteristic taste in the mouth.
• Neurological pathologies (Alzheimer's disease, consequences of traumatic brain injury).
• Pregnancy.

Symptoms can also be caused by hormonal disorders, parasitic infections, or taking certain medications (antibiotics, antiallergic drugs, chemotherapy drugs).

At home you can get rid of the symptom with:

• eating small meals frequently;
• compliance with the water regime;
• rinse your mouth with a spoon of baking soda.

However, after eating, the sensations usually disappear for some time.

Causes of a metallic taste in the mouth

This symptom is often confused with the taste of blood, but other conditions can cause a strong sensation of “metal” in the mouth:

• chemical poisoning with heavy metals (mercury, copper, lead, arsenic);
• taking certain medications (iron supplements for anemia, antiparasitic drugs, pills to lower blood pressure);
• galvanosis - disruption of electrochemical processes in the oral cavity due to metal prostheses, implants, piercings;
• “burning mouth syndrome”, insufficient salivation and dry mouth;
• impaired kidney function (excessive accumulation of metabolic products);
• endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, Fig. 1);
• period of hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause).

The symptom can also appear due to everyday reasons:

• insufficient purification of drinking water;
• storing food in aluminum containers.

To relieve the metallic taste, you can try rinsing your mouth with salt and water, eating foods with intense flavors, and adding more natural spices. It is also important to temporarily switch to cutlery made from non-metallic materials.

Figure 1: A metallic taste in the mouth may indicate a serious medical condition. Source: Verywell Health

Causes of sweet taste in mouth

A sweetish taste that is not associated with an excess of desserts in the diet may be a sign of:

• dental pathologies;
• diabetes mellitus;
• pregnancy;
• problems with the thyroid gland;
• neurological pathologies (stroke, epilepsy);
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease);
• bacterial infections - some microorganisms (streptococci, staphylococci) produce enzymes with a specific taste;
• pesticide poisoning.

You can try to get rid of this feeling by giving up sweets. Also, in the fight against taste, it is necessary to avoid smoking, drink enough fluids throughout the day and carefully observe the rules of oral hygiene.

Causes of acetone taste in the mouth

The reason for this taste and smell of “nail polish remover” from the mouth is most often the excessive content of special substances of fat metabolism - ketone bodies.

As a rule, the symptom appears with diabetes mellitus, but can also accompany other conditions:

• following a keto diet (Fig. 2);
• fasting or drinking too much fluid;
• kidney damage (glomerulonephritis, renal failure);
• excessive alcohol consumption;
• liver pathologies.

Figure 2: Following a keto diet may cause your breath to smell like acetone.
Source: Sewcream / Depositphotos You can get rid of the characteristic smell of acetone using natural breath fresheners, using dental floss and drinking water with lemon.

Important! If you experience a taste of acetone in your mouth, you should reconsider your diet and abandon alternative foods that do not contain sugar - a carbohydrate-free diet often leads to ketoacidosis.

Help before diagnosis

In most cases, the following help to get rid of the symptom:

• keeping the oral cavity clean;
• regular and balanced nutrition;
• cessation of smoking, alcohol abuse;
• drink enough fluid during the day;
• moderate activity after meals.

You can temporarily remove the taste by thoroughly brushing your teeth, rinsing your mouth with water and lemon juice or baking soda, chewing gum, or special mouth fresheners.

Why does it occur in pregnant women?

Women experience unpleasant sensations during pregnancy. The symptom is more often observed in the early stages of pregnancy and is associated with a lack of hemoglobin in the body.

To combat the problem, women are prescribed vitamin complexes and diet adjustments.

There are a number of other factors that predispose to the problem:

• hormonal imbalance;
• change in taste preferences;
• increased sensitivity of the olfactory organs;

A woman will be able to finally get rid of unpleasant symptoms after childbirth . Mint candies will help temporarily eliminate discomfort.

When to see a doctor?

Eliminating the cause of the development of a symptom most often completely eliminates all its manifestations, so it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner (Table 1).
Table 1. Taste in the mouth: when should you seek medical help?

Side effects of medications that affect the appearance of foreign taste

A metallic taste in the mouth may occur while taking medications.

When using a number of medications, a metallic taste may accompany their use, being a side effect of the medications. These are the following groups of drugs:

• Medicines to lower cholesterol levels.
• Medicines used to treat gout.
• Antidiabetic drugs.
• Medicines for the treatment of asthma.
• Antidiabetic drugs.
• Antibiotics.
• Corticosteroids.
• Antihistamines.
• Antifungal drugs.
• Antihistamines.
• Medicines to regulate blood pressure.

In most cases, this taste will cease to be felt with the end of drug therapy, however, this side effect of the drug should be reported to the attending physician.

Diagnostics

The first step in finding the cause of an unpleasant taste in the mouth should be a trip to the dentist: he will immediately determine the possible connection of the symptom with diseases of the teeth and surrounding tissues.

If the problem does not go away, you should consult a therapist: a specialist will help you understand the likely causes of the symptom. For an accurate diagnosis, the results of the following studies may be needed:

• clinical and biochemical blood tests (liver, kidney tests, glucose levels, lipid profile);
• tests to evaluate thyroid function;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
• fibrogastroduodenoscopy (FGDS);
• pH-metry of the stomach;
• tests for Helicobacter pylori infection;
• electroencephalography (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head.

The choice of diagnostic algorithm depends on the most likely cause of the development of an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

Treatment

The best and most effective method of treating a symptom is to eliminate the cause of its occurrence. If the bad taste in your mouth is caused by a dental problem, it is important to get rid of tooth decay or other diseases as soon as possible.

If an unpleasant taste occurs due to pathology of certain organs and metabolic disorders, the doctor prescribes treatment for the underlying disease.

Conservative therapy

Depending on the characteristics of the symptom, to eliminate it, the doctor may prescribe drugs from the following groups:

• antiseptics;
• antacids;
• choleretic drugs;
• hypoglycemic agents;
• antidotes and detoxification drugs.

The doctor selects treatment individually. The treatment regimen depends on the causes of the taste, its severity, concomitant diseases and other features of the clinical case.

Sometimes, to get rid of the taste in the mouth, you have to resort to medications. Photo by JESHOOTS.com: Pexels

Physiotherapy

Methods of physiotherapeutic treatment in cases of unpleasant taste in the mouth help to cope with chronic inflammatory and metabolic processes, and eliminate other symptoms of pathology.

For example, for diseases of the ENT organs, rinsing with sea salt solutions, ultrasound treatment and UV irradiation, and therapeutic inhalations are used.

Warming procedures are contraindicated for patients with acute conditions - inflammation, likelihood of bleeding, severe pain.

Dental diseases

The most common cause of the taste of blood in the mouth remains dental diseases and lip lesions. Diseases are easily recognized by reddish-colored saliva, inflamed oral mucosa, and the presence of ulcers and erosions.

The main dental problems that cause the taste of blood in the mouth are:

• gingivitis - inflammation of the gums;
• stomatitis - damage to the mucous membranes;
• cheilitis - lip injuries;
• periodontitis is inflammation of the periodontal tissues.