What Causes Bitter Taste in Mouth & 7 Remedies to Get Rid of it?

There may have been many times when you must have woken up in the morning with a bitter or acidic taste in the mouth. This tends to occur mostly on days when you may have eaten too much junk or acidic food or may have gone out with friends for a drink. This bitter taste in mouth indicates increased amount of bacteria in the mouth and a sign of poor diet but there are many other causes for bitter taste to linger in mouth.

Some of the common causes for Bitter Taste in Mouth are:

Poor Oral Hygiene: This is one of the main causes of bitter taste in mouth. An individual with a poor oral hygiene invites a host of infections and diseases like gum disease or a tooth infection, gingivitis which may all cause bitter taste in mouth.

Medications: There are certain classes of medications which tend to leave bitter taste in mouth. These classes of medications are usually cardiac medications and psychiatric medications. Lithium is one such medication which leaves a bitter taste in mouth. Certain antibiotics like allopurinol and some antidepressants may also cause you to have bitter taste in mouth.

Multivitamins and Supplements: There are also certain multivitamins and supplements, the use of which may cause one to have a bitter taste in mouth. These supplements basically are high in heavy metals like zinc and copper. Iron supplements will leave a bitter taste in mouth but this all disappears when the multivitamin and the supplements are stopped.

Smoking: It is a well known fact that smoking affects the taste buds and hence is a cause for Bitter Taste in Mouth. Inhaling certain other chemicals like rubber, petrol, or benzene also tends to cause bitter taste in mouth.

Acid Reflux: Acid reflux is a medical condition in which the acids produced in the stomach regurgitates backwards to the esophagus and enters the mouth leaving a bitter taste in mouth.

Pregnancy: During pregnancy there are hosts of hormonal changes occuring within the body. Some of these changes are responsible for bitter taste in mouth. This is quite common in pregnant females and it easily goes away by eating candies or sucking a piece of lemon.

Apart from these main causes, there are some other causes that lead to bitter taste in mouth. These causes are:

• Dehydration
• Dry mouth
• Allergies
• Nasal polyps
• Trauma to the mouth or nose
• Utilization of dental appliances like braces

Some of the ways to get rid of bitter taste in mouth are:

1. Baking Soda for Brushing Teeth: This is a common treatment for Bitter Taste in Mouth. Just put some baking powder on the toothbrush before putting toothpaste and brush the teeth and tongue thoroughly for about 3 minutes. Doing this twice a day can help you get rid of bitter taste in mouth.
2. Tongue Scraper: Using a tongue scrapper can be of some help to get rid of bitter taste in mouth. You can move the tongue scrapper from the front part of the tongue to the back part and apply gentle pressure while doing so. Repeat this about two or three times for best results.
3. Mouth Rinse: Using Mouth Rinse can be a useful remedy for bitter taste in mouth. Rinse the mouth with a table spoon of mouthwash for about a minute. Doing this twice a day can help get rid of bitter taste in mouth.
4. Antacids: For treating bitter taste in mouth caused due to acid reflux, it is best to use over the counter antacids. This may be sufficient to take care of the acid reflux as well as get rid of the associated symptom of bitter taste in mouth. In case if over the counter antacids are not sufficient enough to clear the symptoms then a consult with a physician is recommended for further treatment of the acid reflux.
5. Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits are quite effective in getting rid of bitter taste in mouth. Citrus fruits stimulate saliva production which in turn clears the bitter taste in mouth. Alternatively, orange or lemon juices are equally effective in treating Bitter Taste in Mouth.
6. Good Oral Hygiene: Practicing good oral hygiene is a must not only to treat bitter taste in mouth but also to prevent it in future. You should ensure that your gums and tongue are properly cleaned when you brush your teeth to prevent any chances of any infection settling in which may cause bitter taste in mouth.
7. Other Useful Remedies Include:

• Consumption of water to reduce acid levels in the stomach so as to prevent acid reflux
• Use of peppermints after having a spicy meal
• Chewing at least one teaspoon of cinnamons
• Try and limit consumption of fatty and spicy foods to prevent acid reflux which is one of the main causes of bitter taste in mouth.

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Also Read:

• What Causes Metallic Taste in Mouth & How to Get Rid of it?
• Which Medications Cause Metallic Taste in Mouth?
• What Causes Salty Taste In The Mouth & How To Get Rid Of It?