Bitter taste in the mouth

Any change in our saliva , breath or taste in our mouth can be a sign that something is not going well with our health. Feeling a bitter taste in the mouth can usually be a symptom commonly associated with gastric diseases, however, some liver and oral conditions can also cause it.

Do you have a bitter mouth?

Many people tend to have a dry and bitter mouth upon waking or after eating as a temporary symptom, while others tend to have this discomfort permanently. In either case, it is important to see a doctor to obtain a proper diagnosis and treatment. If you have ever wondered why a bitter taste occurs in your mouth, we invite you to discover the answer in this eHealth article.

Causes of bitter taste in the mouth

Attentive to the possible causes of having a bitter taste in the mouth , either at specific times of the day, or throughout the day. In specific places such as with the bitter palate , or the bitter tongue , or specifically the entire mouth.

Mouth bacteria

Endless bacteria are housed in the oral cavity that we remove daily through toothbrushing, dental floss and mouthwash. Poor cleaning can cause bacteria to accumulate excessively on the teeth and gums, causing conditions such as deep tooth decay or gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).

Why do I have a bitter mouth?

Bacteria feed on sugar in food, which is why it is so important to brush your teeth after every meal and floss to remove residues found in more difficult places. When a person suffers from periodontal disease such as gingivitis or periodontitis, their gums often bleed, which causes a bitter taste in the mouth and bad breath. Visiting the dentist once a year is essential to preserve oral health.

Indigestion or dyspepsia

When digestion does not occur properly, the bitter taste in the mouth after eating is one of the first signs. Detecting if this is the cause of your discomfort is very simple, since indigestion causes more important symptoms such as nausea, heartburn, pain in the pit of the stomach , diarrhea and even reflux .

When indigestion is constant, it is worth reviewing our eating habits, since foods rock in fat and starch are the most difficult to digest. Similarly, it is advisable to make an appointment with the gastroenterologist to rule out another series of conditions that are causing dyspepsia, such as gastritis or stomach ulcers.

Gastroesophageal reflux

Food passes from the mouth to the stomach through the esophagus and in this channel there is a valve or sphincter that works as a kind of plug to prevent the contents of the stomach from returning to the mouth. This sphincter is a muscle that in many cases is damaged and stops closing properly , allowing stomach acids to escape into the mouth and cause what we know as gastric reflux .

Why is your mouth sour?

This condition is common in overweight people and pregnant women and its main symptoms include heartburn, cough, mucus in the throat , a feeling that there is something stuck in the throat and a strange taste in the mouth. To diagnose this disease it is necessary to be examined by a gastroenterologist.

Liver disease

The liver is one of the most important organs of the human body, as it is responsible for purifying the toxins that accumulate in the body from food, which is why it is vital to have a healthy diet to preserve good liver function.

Foods rich in sugar, alcohol, saturated fats and processed foods tend to affect liver health, preventing the organ from purifying so many toxins and, therefore, facilitating their accumulation. Heartburn, stomach heaviness after eating, fatigue, bitter mouth and changes in stool are some of the symptoms that may be indicating that the liver is not working properly or is inflamed.

Among the liver conditions associated with these symptoms is fatty liver and, mostly, jaundice .

Sinusitis is also a symptom of a bitter taste in the mouth

The sinusitis is inflammation of the lining of the paranasal sinuses caused by a virus, fungus or infection. When the nasal opening becomes blocked due to the inflammation of the membranes, the mucus cannot come out correctly and begins to accumulate and descend towards the throat causing mucus in the larynx and a bitter taste in the mouth.

Respiratory infections and a deviated nasal septum are the main causes of sinusitis. In case of having a deviated septum, it will be necessary to correct the problem in surgical intervention. When sinusitis is caused by infection, taking antibiotics and decongestant medications is vital to treating the condition.

Other causes of bitterness in the mouth

• Diseases such as diabetes , jaundice, cancer, and kidney failure make a person more prone to a bitter taste in the mouth .
• The poisoning metals such as lead, copper and mercury cause a bitter taste in the mouth.
• Another reason why you may feel a bitter taste in your mouth is taking medications such as antibiotics, antidepressants, and prenatal vitamins.
• In the case of women, having a bitter mouth may be associated with a hormonal alteration due to the increase in estrogen production during menstruation or pregnancy.
• Any extreme stress situation can dry out the mouth so much that it ends up producing a bitter taste.

How to treat bitter mouth

Having a bitter taste in the mouth for a long time can become a rather unpleasant annoyance, however, to combat this symptom it is vital to go to the doctor to carry out a thorough check-up of our health and offer a diagnosis that allows us to find the ideal treatment.

Given that the bitter taste in the mouth is a symptom associated with multiple conditions, it is very likely that the medical specialist will order a blood test to check that everything is normal.

You will also do a questionnaire with questions related to stomach and oral health and eating habits . The most important thing is that at the time of going to the doctor any other symptoms or discomfort that may be linked to the bitter taste in the mouth be mentioned, as this way the doctor will have a clearer way of following.

Home remedies for bitter taste in the mouth

• Detoxifying the body to stimulate optimal liver, stomach, and kidney function is helpful in improving digestion and eliminating toxins. To do this, you can eat a raw garlic clove on an empty stomach or drink a glass of warm water with lemon when you wake up.
• The depurativas drinks help release toxins effectively. Try accompanying your dinner with a beet, celery, lemon, watercress and carrot juice, without sugar!
• Improving your eating habits is undoubtedly the best decision you can make to help your entire body function, but especially your gastrointestinal system. Eat a protein, a carbohydrate and a vegetable serving at all meals, cook your food on the grill, in the oven or steamed and prefer lean meats such as chicken, turkey and fish. Decreasing the consumption of fats, sugars, flours and starch is vital to detoxify the body.
• Brush your teeth twice a day, floss, and don’t skip the mouthwash. The health of your teeth and gums is vital for a normal taste in your mouth and healthy breath.
• Hydrate properly so that the stomach, liver and kidneys work comfortably. Drinking 2 liters of water a day will help you eliminate that taste.
• Consume citrus fruits to stimulate saliva production and relieve bitter taste in your mouth.