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Sensing a bad taste in your mouth is concerning, as it may cause you to have bad breath. Though it's usually a result of poor oral hygiene, it may also be caused by an underlying health condition that you need to get checked out. In this article, we introduce the most common causes of a bad taste in your mouth and explain some super simple steps you can take to improve your dental hygiene.
What causes a bad taste in your mouth?
If you're looking for the bad taste in your mouth meaning, the reality is that it is most likely down to poor dental hygiene. Though "bad taste" is fairly subjective, most people agree that a tinny, metallic taste is the most common issue.
For most people who worry about a bad taste in the mouth, it is caused by one or a combination of the following factors:
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Poor dental hygiene - no flossing, improper brushing, or failing to use a mouthwash
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An excess of bacteria in the mouth
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An untreated infection
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Gum disease
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Poor diet or eating too many strong foods
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Dry mouth
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Some medications and treatments
As a bad taste in your mouth can be caused by numerous things, it's best to start with your oral hygiene and work your way from there. If you are particularly concerned, it makes sense to book a consultation with a dental hygienist to figure out the best course of action.
Can a bad taste in your mouth be serious?
In some cases, a bad taste in your mouth can be a symptom of an underlying condition that requires treatment. For instance, it might be caused by the following:
Oral thrush
Oral thrush is a common issue for people with suppressed immune systems. It can lead to white spots in the mouth, as well as an inflamed tongue or gums. If you have oral thrush, you should contact a doctor
Respiratory infections
Numerous respiratory infections like tonsillitis and sinusitis can lead to bad breath. Even the common cold and flu can cause you to have bad breath for a while. Viral infections usually only last for 1-2 weeks and clear up by themselves, which should bring an end to the bad taste in your mouth.
Hepatitis B
A viral infection of your liver, Hepatitis B is a serious medical condition. The reason we list it here is that one of the first symptoms is a notable bitter taste in your mouth. You should immediately contact a doctor if you suspect you have Hepatitis B.
How to get rid of a bad taste in your mouth
Of course, getting rid of the bad taste in your mouth will depend on what's causing it. For this reason, begin with a diagnosis and go from there.
For most people who experience a bad taste in the mouth, it's a result of bad oral hygiene. For example, you might not be brushing your teeth thoroughly enough, or you might not floss once a day. If you can relate to this, here are some super simple things to do:
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Buy an electric toothbrush: A high-quality electric toothbrush - such as the Laifen Wave - is much more effective than using a manual toothbrush. The oscillations help to remove bacteria and plaque from your teeth and gums, removing that bad taste from your mouth in the process.
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Floss daily: While flossing might seem like extra hassle during your morning routine, it's actually really important for the health of your teeth and gums. If you don't want to use standard dental floss, consider upgrading to a water flosser to make your life easier.
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Use an antibacterial mouthwash: As the bad taste in your mouth is commonly caused by a build-up of bad bacteria, using a mouthwash can really help to keep your mouth fresh. We recommend swilling mouthwash twice a day to keep bacteria at bay.
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Visit a dental hygienist regularly: Though you don't need to visit a dentist several times a year, making time for an appointment with a dental hygienist can make a big difference to your oral health. The hygienist can help with a thorough clean of your teeth and advise on the best way to prevent a bad taste in your mouth in the long run.
These four simple steps will help to prevent a bad taste in your mouth caused by poor dental hygiene. But if you already maintain a good level of oral hygiene and think that the bad taste in your mouth is caused by an underlying health condition, please contact a doctor.
Conclusion
For most people, a bad taste in the mouth is caused by improper dental hygiene. This can be as simple as infrequent brushing or failing to floss every day. Simple remedies - such as the four tips listed above - can make the world of difference.
But as we have also illustrated, a bad taste in the mouth can be a sign of a serious underlying condition like Hepatitis B oral thrush, so you might need to schedule an appointment with your doctor if you fear that any of these apply to you.
FAQ
Q1: What causes a bad taste in your mouth during pregnancy?
The bad taste in your mouth during pregnancy is usually caused by hormonal changes. It's perfectly natural and nothing to worry about.
Q2: Does Paxlovid leave a bad taste in your mouth?
Yes, for some people, Paxlovid can leave a bad taste in your mouth, but usually only for a period of up to 5 days after completing the dose.
Q3: Covid cause a bad taste in your mouth?
Yes, some people have a metallic taste in the mouth because of Covid. Other people experience a loss of taste entirely, so it can affect people in different ways.
