Table of contents:
- 1. You do not brush your teeth well
- 2. You smoke
- 3. You are lacking fluid
- 4. You have a cold or sinus infection
- 5. You have heartburn or GERD
- 6. You are taking certain medications
- 7. You are getting old
2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
More often than not, this is not a cause for concern. But there are exceptions.
If the sour taste appeared in your mouth only once and quickly disappeared, treat it as an accident. But if a strange gustatory sensation haunts you over and over again, it is important to understand why this is happening. This will help you not to miss dangerous complications.
Experts from the American medical organization Cleveland Clinic list seven of the most common causes of a sour taste in the mouth.
1. You do not brush your teeth well
A familiar nuisance to many: you left some food warm and it sour. Food debris stuck between teeth or in tiny cavities can behave the same way. A side effect of spoiled pieces is a sour taste in the mouth.
What to do
Strictly observe oral hygiene: brush your teeth in the morning and evening for at least 2 minutes at a time. If you are not sure if you are cleaning the gaps between your teeth, use dental floss.
2. You smoke
Nicotine in cigarette smoke reduces taste sensitivity and leads to changes in taste. Including an unpleasant sour tinge may occur.
What to do
Consider the appearance of a sour taste as another reason to quit smoking. If you quit nicotine, your taste sensation will begin to recover within two weeks.
3. You are lacking fluid
With a lack of moisture in the body, the production of saliva decreases. The mouth dries up, and this can affect the taste. In particular, a sticky feeling and a distinct sourness often appear.
What to do
Avoid dehydration. Try to drink at least 6-8 glasses of liquid (water, compotes, fruit drinks, tea) daily. As an express method, you can use sugar-free gum: chewing will increase saliva production.
4. You have a cold or sinus infection
Diseases such as acute respiratory viral infections and sinusitis are also capable of changing taste. The result is a sour taste in the mouth.
What to do
The sourness will disappear by itself as soon as you recover. Usually, getting rid of an acute viral infection takes about 7 days: basically, you just need to rest more - and the body will cope with the disease on its own. In case of sinusitis and other sinusitis (inflammation of the sinuses), it is worth contacting a therapist.
5. You have heartburn or GERD
Heartburn occurs due to the fact that gastric juice rises into the esophagus and irritates its walls. This leads to a burning sensation behind the breastbone and sometimes a sour taste in the mouth.
From time to time, everyone faces heartburn. But if such attacks are repeated several times a week, doctors talk about gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
What to do
If you suspect you have GERD, see your doctor or gastroenterologist. Lifestyle adjustments often help cope with persistent heartburn: reduce portions, avoid fatty and fried foods, avoid eating a few hours before bed, and sleep on a pillow so that your head is above chest level. However, in some cases, the only way to overcome gastroesophageal reflux disease is with medication.
Also, keep in mind that GERD is not the only possible diagnosis. Regular heartburn can manifest itself and much more dangerous diseases: angina pectoris, hiatal hernia, or even esophageal cancer. Therefore, it is important not to endure and consult a doctor.
When you figure out and cure or at least correct the underlying disease, the sour taste in your mouth will disappear.
6. You are taking certain medications
Antibiotics can cause a sour taste. And even some over-the-counter drugs like antihistamines.
What to do
Wait. The bad taste will disappear when you stop taking the drug. If for some reason you have to use medications on a regular basis, talk to your doctor. There may be an alternative with a less pronounced side effect.
7. You are getting old
Due to age-related changes, the taste buds on the tongue lose sensitivity and can trick you, creating new sensations.
What to do
Unfortunately, it will not be possible to return to food the bright rich taste, as in youth. But talk to your therapist to see if they can suggest ways to reduce the sour taste in your mouth.
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