Bitter beverages like coffee are often embraced for their bold flavors. But what happens when you’ve got a bitter taste in your mouth even if you haven’t had your daily cup of joe? Unexplained flavors in the mouth aren’t just annoying, they can be a warning sign of an undiagnosed dental emergency.
Here’s why if you’re experiencing an unexplained taste in your mouth, it’s time to see your dentist.
Causes of Bitterness
That bitter taste in your mouth has a name: it’s called dysgeusia. This condition can be caused by many different things that have nothing to do with your diet. If you can’t get rid of that annoying taste by brushing, flossing, or chewing gum, here are a few things that could be causing it:
- Pregnancy
- Gum Disease
- Poor oral hygiene
- Tooth Infection
- Smoking
- Oral thrush
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Dry Mouth
- Certain Medications
- Oral Cancer
Eliminating Bitter Flavors
The good news is that some cases of dysgeusia will go away on their own, such as when it is related to pregnancy or if you stop taking certain medications. If this change in flavor is due to a new medication, your doctor may be able to prescribe something different that does not cause the same side-effects. Unfortunately, however, other causes may require treatment from your dentist.
Remember, unless you’ve recently eaten or drank something flavored or brushed your teeth or used mouthwash, you should not notice any taste in your mouth. If you do experience a persistent or unexplained flavor lingering after brushing and flossing, it could be a dental emergency and should be evaluated by your dentist as soon as possible.
About Dr. Rekuntla
Dr. Rupeshwar Rekuntla has always been fascinated by dentistry and spent a lot of time reading articles about oral health. He found that his favorites were all written by authors who all had the same degree: Doctor of Dental Surgery. This inspired Dr. Rekuntla to earn that degree himself, and the rest as they say is history!
Today, Dr. Rekuntla is proud to help patients in Saginaw protect their beautiful smiles, providing treatments ranging from preventive care to cosmetic procedures and emergency dentistry. If you are experiencing a persistent taste in your mouth or any other urgent dental problem, please contact Saginaw Dental for an urgent appointment by calling us directly at 817-989-2832.