Causes of sour taste in the mouth and ways to get rid of it

The appearance of a sour taste in the mouth usually implies the development of unpleasant accompanying symptoms. Under such circumstances, the most likely cause of this phenomenon is some pathological process that can occur not only in the oral cavity, but also in the body as a whole. Also, a sour taste may well be a consequence of eating certain foods, in which case the symptom usually goes away on its own after some time. If discomfort persists all day or longer, it is better to consult a doctor for advice. Later in this article we will find out what this can mean if the level of acidity in the oral cavity has increased, what causes such a condition and how to get rid of unpleasant sensations.

Types and associated symptoms

Associated symptoms include :

• pain in the abdomen;
• attacks of nausea;
• gagging;
• heartburn;
• excessive salivation;
• feeling of dryness in the mouth;
• white coating on the tongue;
• bad breath from the mouth;
• stomach upsets.

What does an unpleasant taste in the mouth mean and what to do:

Necessary examination

If a woman determines that the sensation of sweetness on the tongue is not associated with food intake, she should go to the doctor. Primary examination includes:

• general blood analysis;
• biochemical analysis with determination of sugar levels, liver enzymes;
• general urine analysis.

If abnormalities are detected in these tests, additional examination is indicated. They perform a glucose load test, an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, and determine hormone levels.

To determine the cause of a sweet taste in the mouth in women, you need to do blood tests

Diagnostics

To get rid of the sour taste in the mouth, it is recommended to consult a therapist or gastroenterologist .
Only a qualified specialist will be able to identify the true cause of this unpleasant sensation and draw up an appropriate treatment regimen. An effective method for examining the condition of the gastric mucosa is fibrogastroscopy. Using a fiber optic tube equipped with a camera and lighting, which the doctor inserts into the stomach cavity, the mucous membrane is examined. The information is displayed on the monitor screen. According to the data obtained, an accurate diagnosis is established.

If such an examination does not reveal any abnormalities in the functioning of the digestive tract, then the patient is sent for examination to an endocrinologist and dentist .

If the source is poisoning, it is recommended to visit a toxicologist . The specialist will prescribe laboratory tests and refer you for examination of the gastrointestinal tract.

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?

Sour taste in the mouth in men and women

The occurrence of such an unpleasant symptom in men is very often associated with consuming large amounts of nicotine.
It is this bad habit that contributes to the appearance of a sour aftertaste, which can also be accompanied by dry mouth and an unpleasant odor. In women, a sour taste is mainly observed during pregnancy. In the third trimester, the stomach moves upward, gastric juice is thrown into the esophagus and oral cavity, which contributes to the manifestation of this taste. In addition, the woman suffers from heartburn. With the birth of the child, the symptoms disappear on their own.

Symptoms

The reasons and purpose of therapeutic measures are inextricably linked with each other. Before prescribing appropriate drug treatment, the doctor must determine the exact cause of the discomfort, as well as identify accompanying pathological symptoms.

The appearance of a sour taste is often accompanied by the following symptoms:

• sharp, aching or nagging pain in the stomach;
• nausea (often in the morning or after eating);
• belching;
• bad breath;
• vomiting reflex;
• often a feeling of dry mouth;
• heartburn;
• drooling (increased salivation);
• violation of the act of defecation (constipation or diarrhea).

Eliminating the symptom if the cause is the gastrointestinal tract

The determining factor in eliminating an unpleasant symptom is identifying the root cause - the pathology of the digestive tract, which caused a burning sensation behind the sternum and the reflux of acid into the food cavity.

If you consult a doctor in a timely manner and follow all his instructions, the result will be positive. If the disease becomes chronic, then there is a high probability of developing life-threatening conditions.

For information! You should not carry out treatment on your own and put off your visit to the doctor, since a sour aftertaste most often determines disorders in the digestive system.

A qualified specialist, according to the painful signs, makes a preliminary diagnosis and prescribes a series of examinations that will help clarify the extent of the inflammatory process and determine the risk stages of possible complications. The most effective methods include: FGDS, x-ray of the gastrointestinal tract, ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

Pathologies identified at the initial stage of their development are better treatable and in most cases can be eliminated by changing the diet. The patient must follow a therapeutic diet. If the disease is in an advanced form, then surgery cannot be avoided.

Sour taste due to dental problems

Reason: pregnancy

Why does it appear

Sources of sour aftertaste in pregnant women include:

• Wrong diet . If the expectant mother eats salty, spicy and sour foods, this will negatively affect her overall well-being.
• Hormonal disruptions in the early stages of pregnancy can provoke an exacerbation of taste buds and a change in taste. As a result, a woman experiences an aversion to specific foods and dishes, which is complemented by a sour feeling in the mouth.
• Due to the relaxation of the muscular structure of the uterus and digestive tract, the stomach contents are expelled into the esophagus and cause discomfort in the chest along with a terrible aftertaste (in the first 4 months of pregnancy).
• When the stomach rises upward in the second half of pregnancy, pressure on the internal organs increases, which is the cause of a strong burning sensation after eating and a sour aftertaste.
• As a result of an enlarged uterus, disturbances occur in the activity of the liver and gall bladder, which contributes to the occurrence of sour taste sensations.

How to get rid of sour taste

You can eliminate this symptom:

• By rinsing the mouth with a soda solution at the rate of 1 tsp. for 1 glass of water.
• Drinking milk with black bread.
• By avoiding spicy, smoked and fried foods.
• By reducing the consumption of coffee, black tea, freshly baked goods, and chocolate.

Other reasons

Other sources that cause an unpleasant sour taste in the mouth include :

• pathological conditions of the liver, biliary tract;
• infection of the throat by pathogenic microorganisms;
• consumption of spicy, salty, fatty foods, as well as smoked foods;
• stressful situations;
• use of medications;
• problems with the cardiovascular system.

Why does a sour taste appear in the mouth and what to do:

Treatment

Medication

First of all, the doctor prescribes an antisecretory medicine to reduce the level of acidity in the stomach. The use of Gaviscon and Omez gives good results.

Gaviscon

Omez

To eliminate discomfort, Maalox and Almagel are prescribed. In some cases, the use of prokinetics is recommended to prevent the release of gastric contents into the esophagus.

Almagel

Maalox

Traditional methods

• Chamomile or sage decoction , which is used after each meal.
• A solution of 1 gram of mumiyo and 1 liter of boiled milk is taken for a month, 1 glass per 30 minutes. before meals. Number of courses – 3, with a break of 10 days.
• Using cinnamon (2-3 grams before meals) will help not only relieve pain, get rid of the sour taste, but also cleanse the kidneys.
• Mineral water with a high concentration of alkali will help normalize acidity The recommended dose is ½ glass of warm water without gas.

How to get rid of unpleasant odor

It is impossible to eliminate the problem forever if you do not get rid of the provoking diseases. First of all, contact a gastroenterologist. The doctor will help you find out the true cause, as well as give advice on treatment and prescribe the necessary medications.

• To temporarily eliminate the odor, you can simply brush your teeth. Rinsing with herbal tinctures or special mouth fresheners will help.
• Dry cloves and coffee beans, which have a specific aroma, will help eliminate the smell.
• Drinking plenty of water will help. This will reduce the concentration of acid in the stomach and the smell will disappear.
• If none of the above occurs, try chewing mints or gum. It will refresh the oral cavity and remove food particles from hard-to-reach places. But don’t get carried away, because it causes the release of acid into the stomach, and this can aggravate the situation.

Prevention

To prevent a sour aftertaste in your mouth, you must:

• Eat less meat products, sour fruits and vegetables.
• Diversify your diet with dishes made from plant-based products.
• Drink enough natural yoghurts and kefir.
• Eat cottage cheese.

The taste of sour in the mouth is a very unpleasant sensation, which may be a manifestation of a specific disease. Therefore, when it appears, it is better to consult a doctor who will make the correct diagnosis and give appropriate recommendations.

Preventive actions

You can minimize the risk of acidity in your mouth by following simple rules of prevention. Here are the main recommendations of experts in this regard:

1. try to eat healthy foods, limit the consumption of fatty, salty and smoked foods,
2. drink more plain water, give up coffee,
3. diversify your diet with fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as freshly squeezed juices,
4. take a responsible approach to hygiene, brush your teeth in the morning and evening, rinse your mouth with water after eating, and also do not forget the importance of using dental floss,
5. systematically visit the dentist's office for a routine preventive examination.

Compliance with these basic rules will help ensure excellent well-being and healthy functioning of all internal systems of the body. If the acidity in the mouth nevertheless increases, and the discomfort persists for more than one day, there is a reason to visit a doctor and undergo an appropriate examination.

Category Miscellaneous Published by Mister dentist