Suddenly one morning, getting up with a salty taste in your mouth may confuse you about the happenings in your body. Was it something you had eaten, or is your tongue indicating something going on? Well, the issue of salty mouth is more common than you think. Continue with this blog to know 11 different reasons why everything tastes salty.
Usually, this issue is not of concern. However, it is better to get a full body checkup if other symptoms appear with it.
1. Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is also known as xerostomia; it is a condition in which you have a salty metallic taste in your mouth. There are many reasons for this condition’s appearance, ranging from aging to medication side effects. In case of dry mouth, you may feel the following:
- Thick salty saliva secretion
- A sticky feeling inside your mouth
- Foul breath with a sore throat
- Hoarse voice
A dry mouth easily resolves on its own. Consume lots of water and steer clear of acidic or foods high in spice and salty content. Your healthcare practitioner can also prescribe you OTC oral rinse for saliva secretion.
2. Dehydration
Take a look at your tongue; if it has gone white, the reason could be dehydration. It is another common cause of salty taste in the mouth. Dehydration is not only caused due to lack of water intake but also due to loss of fluids during vomiting, diarrhea, or sweat.
Other symptoms include:
- Increased thirst
- Infrequent urination
- Change in urine color
- Fatigue and dizziness
An appropriate amount of fluid intake is essential to maintain electrolyte balance in the body since most of the physiological functions depend on it.
Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water is recommended daily for a normal human being. Dehydration, other than changing the taste and making your lips mouth, causes the following issues:
- Seizures
- Exhaustion because of heat
- Kidney problems
- Hypovolemic shock
3. Oral Cavity Bleeding or Blood In mouth
If none of the causes fit and you are still wondering, “why does my mouth taste salty?” bleeding might be one of the reasons. Sometimes, eating crunchy food, or anything that has sharp edges like tortilla chips, or brushing vigorously might lead to blood in the mouth, leaving a salty taste on the tongue or lips.
Make sure to follow the appropriate brush and floss regime to get rid of the bleeding and consequent taste changes in the mouth. If you do nothing about this condition, it may become an infection.
4. Infection in Oral Cavity
Gum inflammation is common because of bacterial manifestation, which can grow into periodontal disease. It is easily treatable when caught in the early stages. Severe damage is only seen when completely left undertreated. You may experience the following symptoms as well:
- Loose hanging teeth
- Bad mouth odor
- Abscessed gum
- Pus formation
Sometimes oral bleeding can invite other infections as well, such as oral thrush. It is a yeast infection that manifests in the mouth. It presents itself as white patches on the tongue that look just like the dehydration effect. The tongue may feel a burning sensation while also leaving a salt-like taste in the mouth.
5. Post-nasal Drip
Post-nasal drip can result from a sinus infection, regular cold, or allergies making your mouth taste salty. Mucus overproduces and starts dripping at the back of the throat. Mixing up with saliva gives a metal-like taste in the mouth.
Anti-allergies work well for hypersensitive reactions, and colds usually resolve on their own. Getting enough rest and staying hydrated is the key to a smooth recovery. Saline sprays and blowing the nose are two techniques that can clear the nasal passage. It is a sign of worry if you have:
- Symptoms not subsiding within 10 days
- High fever
- Nasal discharge – green or white
- Blood with nasal discharge
- Clear fluid oozing out of the nose, especially after head trauma.
6. Side-effects of Medications Used
If you are taking medications due to a certain diagnosis, the salty taste in the mouth might be its side effect. Mostly, it is dry mouth accompanied with salty taste on the tongue. It is best that you have a chat with your healthcare practitioner and inform them about this recent development.
7. Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes in women are dynamic and constantly ongoing. Pregnancy and menopause are two phases in life when a woman becomes extremely sensitive, which is why symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting and salty taste in the mouth are common.
The good news is that symptoms go away with progress in trimesters and ease off after the baby’s birth. On the other hand, hormone replacement therapy is available for women undergoing menopause.
8. Neurological Problems
Sometimes because of a break or tear in the membranes CSF – cerebrospinal fluid leaks out of it, dripping in the nose and mouth, changing taste to bitter or salty.
9. Sjögren Syndrome
In this condition, the body’s immune system attacks the moisture-producing glands. This includes tear ducts and salivary glands as well, making the mouth severely dry with a salty foul taste. Other symptoms you may experience are:
- Vaginal dryness
- Joint pain
- Skin rashes
- Dry cough
- Fatigue
Sjögren syndrome may come with other autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. It is easy to deal with the symptoms using OTC oral washes or drinking water.
10. Nutrition Deficiency
If your body suffers from certain nutritional deficiency like that of any vitamin, it develops a salty taste in the mouth. With that, other symptoms like fatigue, confusion, numbness of hands and feet, or irregular heartbeat are seen.
Nutritional deficiencies are easily treated with supplements. For example, for vitamin B-12 deficiency, nasal sprays and supplements are available.
11. Acid Reflux
It is when the stomach pushes acids present in it up to the mouth. Signs that are brought along include:
- Pain in the abdominal region
- Heartburn
- Nausea and bile vomiting
- Cough
- Unexplainable weight loss
Acid reflux, if not treated, can progress into GERD, or a cancerous condition Barrett’s esophagus, or even esophageal cancer. Changes in lifestyle coupled with medications help in treating this issue.
Conclusion
Various home remedies are available to get rid of the salty mouth condition. Some of them are:
- Adequate brushing and floss technique
- Antibacterial rinse or mouthwash
- Sugar-free chewing gum for taste change
- Lessening tobacco use and alcohol consumption
- Increase water and other fluid intakes
- Diet modification
Contact Us
If you live in Houston or in the vicinity, reach out to Champions Dental for treatment of this issue. Contact the best dentist in Houston at 281 866 0442 to schedule an appointment.