6 Causes of a Bitter Tongue and How to Overcome Them
Monday 9 January 2023
In medical terms, the condition when the tongue tastes bitter is known as dysgeusia. Although generally harmless, a bitter taste on the tongue can also be a sign of a health problem. Therefore, do not ignore the condition of the tongue that tastes bitter.
Causes of a Bitter Tongue
A bitter tongue can be caused by many things, including:
1. Dehydration
In some cases, a bitter taste on the tongue can be caused by dehydration. This condition makes the mouth feel dry and interferes with the function of the sense of taste, so that the tongue can taste bitter.
2. Dry mouth
Medically, dry mouth is known as xerostomia. This condition is characterized by decreased saliva production. Lack of saliva can change the taste in the mouth and usually become more bitter. Dry mouth can be caused by aging, autoimmune disease, smoking habits, and Sjogren's syndrome.
3. Pregnancy
Pregnant women often have a bitter or metallic taste in their mouths. This is thought to be due to hormonal changes that occur in early pregnancy and the sense of smell and taste that are more sensitive during pregnancy.
4. Consumption of drugs
The rest of certain drugs that have been absorbed by the body can be released into the saliva, causing the tongue to taste bitter. Types of drugs and supplements that can cause a bitter tongue are antibiotics, heart medications, and supplements containing iron, chromium, or copper.
5. Stomach acid disease
GERD or stomach acid disease is a condition where stomach acid rises from the stomach to the esophagus, even to the mouth. This condition can cause the mouth to taste sour or bitter.
Acid reflux disease is generally triggered by several things, such as smoking habits, excessive consumption of coffee or alcoholic beverages and fatty foods, as well as the effects of taking drugs such as aspirin.
6. Infection
When you are experiencing an infection, the body will naturally release proteins to fight inflammation. This protein is thought to play a role in structural changes in the layer of the taste buds, which causes an increased sensitivity to bitter tastes.
In addition to the various conditions above, a bitter taste on the tongue can also occur as a result of not keeping your teeth and mouth clean, undergoing chemotherapy treatment, and suffering from diabetes, kidney disease, COVID-19, and Alzheimer's disease.
How to Overcome Bitter Tongue
A bitter taste in the tongue can generally improve, even disappear by itself, after the cause is resolved. Even so, so that the bitter taste on the tongue can immediately improve, there are several ways you can try, namely:
- Meet the need for fluids to increase saliva production, by consuming 8 glasses of water every day
- Chew sugar free gum to stimulate saliva production
- Maintain dental hygiene by brushing your teeth at least 2 times a day and flossing at least 1 time every day
- Gargle using a salt solution or mouthwash
- Avoiding things that can cause stomach acid to rise, such as smoking, eating spicy or fatty foods, and consuming alcoholic beverages
Those are some of the causes of a bitter taste on the tongue and how to overcome them. As previously mentioned, the condition of the tongue feeling bitter is actually not a dangerous condition. However, if left untreated, it is feared that it can reduce your appetite and make you nutritionally deficient.
If the various methods above have not been able to relieve or overcome the bitter taste on your tongue, try to see a doctor. Later, the doctor will conduct an examination to find out the cause of the tongue feeling bitter and determine the appropriate treatment.