Everyone has had times when they’ve tasted something unpleasant. Those moments are common to the eating experience, and they don’t often point to anything serious. That said, you shouldn’t ignore a persistent and bitter taste in your mouth; it could point to a severe oral problem. Your Montpelier dentist will explain this latter point in fine detail. So, here’s a primer on what a bitter mouth taste could mean and why it deserves dental care.
What’s a Bitter Mouth Taste?
For the record, a persistent and bitter mouth taste (i.e., dysgeusia) is marked by having three key qualities. These include the following:
- Bitter Flavor – In general, patients with dysgeusia describe a constant taste that’s salty, metallic, bitter, and salty.
- A Long Duration – Even if you haven’t eaten anything recently, dysgeusia tends to stick around.
- Resistance to Home Remedies – Many dysgeusia patients will have a bitter taste even after brushing their teeth.
What Does It Point to?
While a bitter mouth taste isn’t always serious, it can sometimes indicate harsh oral problems. Major examples of these are:
Bad Oral Care
If you don’t practice good oral hygiene, you’ll likely develop a bitter taste. It’s a natural development – foul-tasting plaque builds up when you don’t brush or floss. From there, your mouth may sense a stubbornly persistent bitterness.
A bad taste that stems from poor oral care is a serious matter. Once it occurs, you’ll be at high risk of cavities and gum disease.
Dry Mouth
Some cases of a bitter taste stem from dry mouth. After all, saliva removes various foul-tasting microbes from your tongue. Being deprived of it gives germs a chance to grow and spread.
Dry mouth can occur for a wide range of reasons. In fact, some medications, tobacco smoking, and even aging can trigger the condition.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
If you’re unlucky, your mouth’s bitter taste may result from burning mouth syndrome. That means you’ll face other negative symptoms as well.
Per its name, burning mouth syndrome causes a burning sensation in your mouth. This feeling is often accompanied by a bitter or rancid taste on the tongue. While burning mouth symptoms can appear sporadically, they can also be chronic and persist for long periods.
Why See a Dentist for Treatment?
If you have a persistent and bitter mouth taste, your best bet is to see a dentist. They’ll quickly and easily remedy the problem and help you avoid further issues.
Indeed, dentists have several ways to treat bitter mouth tastes. Many will prescribe a special mouthwash to stimulate saliva flow, easing the patient’s dry mouth. Others can offer a dental crown or filling if the taste stems from a cavity. A dentist could also clean out bad-tasting gums with periodontal therapy.
While a bitter taste in your mouth may be harmless, don’t just assume that. Visit your dental provider to see if the cause is something serious!
About the Practice
River Station Dentistry is based in Montpelier, VT. Led by Drs. Andrew Hale and Sally Bishko, our practice makes community-focused dental care its main aim. That means we tailor our preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments to each patient and their smile’s needs. Our office also offers emergency dentistry to ensure the best possible results for your teeth and gums. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (802)-223-2244.