The salty taste in mouth is a problem of millions of people all around the world. It is normal to experience a salty taste in mouth once in a while, but what if a salty taste persists for a long time? If you have a constant bad taste in mouth or burning sensation that doesn’t go away for days or weeks, you may be worried.
Why does everything taste salty? In most cases a salty taste in mouth is not dangerous, but it can be very unpleasant, so it is necessary to treat it properly.
In this article we will talk about a salty taste in mouth. We will tell you something more about causes and treatment of this unpleasant condition. If you have also experienced that everything tastes salty in your mouth, then you should read carefully this article.
Causes
In most cases the causes of a salty tongue are benign and temporary, so it will be easy to treat them. But, sometimes the reason of a salty taste in mouth can be a serious disease. Now you will see some of the most common causes of a salty taste in mouth.
Dehydration. The most common cause of a salty taste in your mouth can be dehydration. It is known that dehydration of the body may lead to many health issues. Some of them can be even life threatening. If you have salty taste in your mouth, you will lose your appetite and you will not drink enough fluids, which will make your condition even worse.
It is important to avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol because they may cause dehydration. In order to reduce the salty taste in your mouth, you should drink a lot of water during the day.
Blood. Blood in your mouth may also be the cause of a salty taste that you are feeling. Maybe your gums are damaged or you have bitten your tongue. If the gums are bleeding, you will certainly have a salty taste in mouth.
It can even be a metallic taste, so it is necessary to rinse the mouth every morning when you wake up. Also, you should be more careful when you are brushing your teeth. It is best to use a soft toothbrush that will not damage your teeth.
Tears. You probably know that your tears are salty, but did you know that they can travel to your mouth and produce salty taste? When tears pass through the nasal passage, they may come to mouth and cause the salty taste.
Nasal Drainage. Nasal drainage may also be the cause of a salty taste in your mouth. Mucus from your nasal passage may come to the mouth and produce the salty taste. In this case the salty taste in mouth is accompanied by the phlegm on your tongue.
This may happen if you have flu or a common cold. In this case doctors recommend you to blow your nose more often.
Bacterial Infections. Bacterial infections usually happen if your dental hygiene is bad. If you don’t brush the teeth regularly, bacteria may appear in your mouth and cause salty taste as well as bad breath. In order to get rid of these problems, you should brush your teeth more often and rinse your mouth with mouthwash.
Certain Medications. Salty taste in your mouth may also be the cause of some medications. Salty taste in mouth may be caused by herbal remedies or certain pills that your doctor has prescribed you.
Medications that will cause a salty taste in your mouth may be also antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, thyroid medications, sedatives and many others. If you are consuming certain medications or vitamins, you should ask your doctor for advice.
Chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is also one of the most common causes of salty taste in mouth. Actually, about 50% cancer patients have experienced salty taste in mouth. It is a normal side effect of chemotherapy and it usually disappears when the chemotherapy is finished.
But, there is something you can do during the period of chemotherapy in order to reduce the salty taste in your mouth. We recommend you to brush the teeth before every meal and after it. Also, you should drink a lot of water and avoid eating several hours before a chemotherapy session. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, you can slice lemon in hot water and drink it. This may also help you get rid of a salty taste in your mouth.
Infection Of Salivary Gland. One of the causes of salty taste in mouth can also be an infection of salivary gland. This infection is accompanied by dry mouth, so it is best to consult your health provider.
Allergies And Sinus Infections. Allergies and sinus infections can also lead to unpleasant salty taste in your mouth.
Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency. It is known that you need to take large amounts of vitamins and minerals in order to stay healthy. If you don’t get enough zinc and vitamin B12, it can lead to strange taste in your mouth.
Your tongue may become sensitive to salt and that’s why you will have salty taste in your mouth. In this case you should consult your health provider who will prescribe you vitamin B12 and zinc supplements.
Smoking. Smoking is also one of the most common causes of dry mouth and salty taste. Actually, smoking will increase the bacteria growth in your mouth, which could lead to the salty taste.
Brain Tumor or Stroke. Sometimes the cause of salty taste in your mouth can be a serious condition or disease, such as brain tumor or stroke.
Menopause. It is known that menopause is accompanied by many hormonal changes. It can also lead to burning sensation and salty taste in your mouth.
Pregnancy. Some studies have shown that pregnancy may also be the cause of a salty taste because of hormonal changes that are happening in this period. For many pregnant women food tastes salty and they have a constant bad taste in their mouth.
Acid Reflux. Studies have shown that acid reflux may also be the cause of a salty taste in your mouth. In such condition stomach acid may go upwards to the throat and cause a salty taste.
Hypogeusia. Hypogeusia may also be the cause of a salty taste in mouth. This condition means that a patient is not able to taste salty, sour, bitter or sweet, but it doesn’t last too long.
Dysgeusia. Have you ever heard of dysgeusia? Well, this condition may also cause a salty taste or even a burning sensation in mouth. Dysgeusia is a disorder that is typical for older women and it is necessary to seek medical help.
Paraneoplastic Syndrome. This is one more disorder that may indirectly cause a salty taste in mouth. This disorder is typical for women who have breast or ovarian cancer. Actually, the tumor will produce substances that will affect central nervous system and cause a salty taste in your mouth.
Sjogren’s Syndrome. This is an autoimmune disorder that may also cause a salty taste in your mouth. This disorder is followed by dry eyes, dry mouth, dry skin, joint pain and digestive problems.
Treatment
The treatment of a salty taste in your mouth depends on its causes. In order to treat it correctly, it is necessary to discover the underlying cause of this disorder. If you notice that the salty taste doesn’t go away for weeks, you should consult your dentist first.
If you don’t have any dental problem, you should visit your health provider. Now we will give you some tips that may help you get rid of a salty taste in your mouth. If these home remedies and methods don’t help you, you will need to seek medical help.
Dental Care and Oral Hygiene. The first step is to brush your teeth regularly in order to prevent bacteria to grow and to multiply. It is recommended to brush your teeth before and after eating. You could also change toothpaste and use a soft toothbrush in order to prevent any damage to your teeth.
You should rinse your mouth with mouthwash on a daily basis. Sometimes you can rinse your mouth with plain water, which can also be helpful. This way you will treat any bacterial infection in your mouth. You should also visit your dentist regularly. Once or twice a year is enough in order to keep your teeth and your mouth healthy.
Hydration. You have seen that dehydration is one of the most common causes of a salty taste in your mouth, so you have to be well hydrated in any time. You should drink a plenty of water and fresh juices during the day. As we have already mentioned above, you should avoid alcohol and caffeine, because they may cause dehydration.
You should also avoid diuretic beverages, such as tea, sodas or tomato soup. These beverages will increase the urine production, which could lead to releasing large amounts of fluids from your body.
Healthy Diet. You should also take more care of your diet. You should not eat foods that contain high levels of sodium. We recommend you to avoid spicy and acidic foods because they may disrupt the taste buds. Also, you should not eat too much sugar because it could lead to tooth decay and other dental problems.
Changing the Medications. You should avoid medications that may cause dry mouth and a salty taste. In this case you should consult your doctor first. He may give you some other medications that will not cause a salty taste in your mouth.
Summary
You have seen in this article that a salty taste in your mouth may be caused by different factors. In most cases a salty taste could be easily treated and there’s no need to worry. But, sometimes a salty taste in your mouth can be a symptom of a very serious disease.
As we have already said, the most common causes of a salty taste in mouth are dehydration, bacterial infections, blood, tears or nasal drainage. Also, chemotherapy and certain medications can cause a salty taste in mouth, so you have to be careful. Maybe it will be necessary to change the medications that you are taking for some others, but don’t do it before consulting your health provider.
Sometimes the cause may be some more serious condition, such as acid reflux, brain tumor or stroke, dysgeusia, hypogeusia, Paraneoplastic syndrome or Sjogren’s syndrome.
Whatever is the cause of a salty taste in your mouth, you should try to get rid of this unpleasant condition. It is known that bad taste in mouth causes nervousness and loss of appetite.
We have given you some tips how to improve your dental and mouth care. But, if a more serious condition is the cause of a salty taste in your mouth, then you will need medical help.
