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.
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.
How to eliminate constant bleeding gums
To carry out successful treatment, it is important to find out why the gums are bleeding. You should not self-medicate, since the problem requires an integrated approach, which consists in eliminating the cause and restoring the health of the gums. Only a doctor can tell you how to treat a disease that causes bleeding. Different techniques may be needed.
Professional teeth cleaning
If dental plaque provokes complications in the form of bleeding, it is necessary to thoroughly clean your teeth. This does not mean ordinary hygiene procedures at home, but hardware cleaning in a dental office. The doctor uses ultrasound to crush the tartar, the particles of which are washed out with a mixture of water and air. You need to carry out a hygiene procedure twice a year. Unfortunately, not all patients comply with such recommendations.
Air Flow technology is used to remove soft deposits. In this case, finely dispersed soda is supplied along with water. After the procedure is completed, the teeth are polished, which further prevents the accumulation of plaque.
Such actions are sufficient for diagnosed gingivitis. The doctor will also tell you what to do to restore the mucous membrane. This may include rinsing or taking certain medications. Professional teeth cleaning is used if gingivitis has progressed to periodontitis. But this is only the beginning of treatment. Let's talk about ways to eliminate the disease further. If periodontal pockets have formed, you will need powerful ultrasound devices, such as Vector. In this case, the periodontist should deal with oral hygiene.
Rinse with solutions
Antiseptic treatment of the oral cavity can be carried out in the form of rinses based on the following agents:
- "Furacilina";
- "Rotokana";
- "Miramistina";
- "Chlorhexidine";
- alcohol solution "Chlorophyllipt".
Soda-saline solution also helps. You can add a few drops of iodine to it. It is better to use solutions through an irrigator - this increases their effectiveness. In case of bleeding, you need to use special toothpastes, including Parodontax, Lakalut, Colgate Total Pro. The compositions should not have a bleaching effect.
Drug therapy
To eliminate bleeding gums, the doctor may prescribe ointments and gels. They are applied to the problem area after rinsing the mouth. The following drugs are in demand in dental practice:
- "Metrogil Denta" - has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, often prescribed for stomatitis, after tooth extraction;
- “Asepta” is a propolis-based gel that quickly relieves inflammation;
- "Kamistad" is a drug available in two forms (for children and adults);
- "Elugel" is a strong antiseptic that effectively fights pathogenic environments.
For inflammatory processes, the doctor may prescribe medicinal bandages, antibiotics (in some cases), and a course of vitamins.
Gum curettage
For periodontitis with the formation of deep periodontal pockets, the following surgical techniques are used:
- Closed curettage. To carry out the procedure, the doctor uses a special instrument – a curette. With its help, the doctor cleans the roots of the teeth. The tool penetrates to a depth of 3 mm.
- Open curettage. The technique is used when the deposits are deeper. It involves the following actions: peeling of the gums, cleaning and antibacterial treatment, suturing.
The disease can be cured using an integrated approach. Therefore, it is important to follow all doctor’s recommendations even after the procedure.
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.
Additional measures to prevent hematomas
To reduce the risk of blood balloons swelling on the oral mucosa, patients are advised to follow a few simple rules:
- avoid salty and spicy foods that irritate the mucous membranes;
- adjust the design of prostheses and orthopedic systems for the jaw apparatus;
- increase the amount of medium-temperature liquid and semi-liquid foods in the diet
We should also not forget about the need to regularly visit the dentist for the timely detection and elimination of diseases of the teeth and gums. This solution will help maintain oral health and avoid a number of serious pathologies with unpleasant symptoms.
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?
Type of taste in the mouth | Reasons to see a doctor |
Taste Blood | If the symptom is not associated with accidental damage to the oral mucosa, you should begin the examination with a trip to the dentist. If necessary, the specialist will refer you to other doctors for consultation. |
Metallic taste | You need to undergo examination in the toxicology department if the taste appears after poisoning with chemical agents. It is also important to consult a doctor if you suspect bleeding of unknown location or galvanism. |
Bitter taste | If bitterness in the mouth persists for several days, and is also accompanied by the appearance of plaque, nausea or vomiting, you should make an appointment with a gastroenterologist. This is probably how the body “signals” about disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. |
Bitter taste | If your taste changes regularly without connection with the amount of sweets in your diet, you should consult a therapist or endocrinologist. |
Taste of acetone | You should definitely see an endocrinologist if the symptom occurs due to diabetes. When following a low-carbohydrate diet, it is also important to choose a new diet from a nutritionist. |
What causes hemoptysis in cancer?
95% of the blood enters the lungs through the pulmonary arteries, which have low pressure. Having reached the capillary bed, it gives off carbon dioxide and is saturated with oxygen. The remaining part of the blood (5%) reaches the lungs through the bronchial arteries, which have high pressure. It nourishes the respiratory organs and respiratory tract. Hemoptysis is characterized by bleeding from the bronchial arteries. The only exceptions are cases when the pulmonary arteries receive mechanical damage.
Hemoptysis in lung cancer develops against the background of malignant transformation of the epithelium of the respiratory tract. Blood loss is usually minimal. Massive bleeding develops only when the tumor grows into a large artery. This is a dangerous condition that can lead to death due to asphyxia or excessive blood loss.
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.