Bad Tastes In Your Mouth? What Is Causing It?
Do you constantly have a bad taste in your mouth? Are you worried that anyone that you're talking to can smell what you taste? That taste is telling you that there is something wrong – you need to go to the dentist. So, what could be causing the bad taste? Here, you'll find a bit of information that can help you identify the problem and eliminate that bad taste for good.
Dental Causes
Tooth and gum infections will cause bad tastes in your mouth – and a not-so-pleasant odor. These infections can cause puss to form under the gums and when that puss seeps into your mouth, you get that bad taste.
Periodontal disease, a disease of the gums, is an issue that shouldn't be ignored. The problem is caused by bacteria that is trapped under the gums and is causing infections. Gum disease doesn't start out as something serious, but if left untreated, it can cause complications that are difficult to treat.
Infections that are left untreated can cause health problems beyond your mouth. A minor infection will cause a bit of discomfort in your mouth, but if that infection is allowed to spread, it can infect the bones in your mouth, as well as release bacteria into your bloodstream that can damage the organs in your body - namely, your pancreas and heart.
The best course of action to take is to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. A few x-rays and a good cleaning can help the dentist diagnose the problem and offer you treatment plans that will help. This could include new fillings for failing teeth, replacing failing fillings and laser periodontal treatments.
Non-Dental Causes
If you've been to the dentist and he or she didn't find a dental cause for the bad taste in your mouth, your next visit should be to your primary care physician. Sometimes, health issues lying elsewhere in the body can cause bad tastes in your mouth. Things like, acid reflux can cause acids and gasses to rise into your mouth and cause that awful taste.
While you're working to eliminate the bad taste for good, there are a few things that you can do to decrease the discomfort – drink plenty of water, brush your teeth, tongue and gums a few times each day, keep mints in your pocket and avoid foods that are stinky and known to cause bad breath.
Talk with a dentist today, such as at Bradley Piotrowski, DDS, MSD, LLC, to begin the process of eliminating that bad taste for good.