As far as the various forms of discomfort a human being can experience go, an unpleasant taste in your mouth may seem like it’s a pretty mild issue. While having an annoying undesirable taste in your mouth doesn’t necessarily represent an underlying health problem, it can be a sign of untreated oral infection in some cases. Here’s a brief guide to how to tell if that persistent nasty taste in your mouth means that you should see your emergency dentist for treatment.
The Bad Taste in Your Mouth Probably Isn’t a Dental Emergency If…
An unpleasant taste may not be a sign of a dental emergency if it is caused by:
Pregnancy: Pregnant women may experience a bitter or metallic taste or become more sensitive to certain smells due to hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, but this problem should go away on its own over time.
Ketosis: Ketosis is a metabolic state that occurs when a person’s body has inadequate amounts of sugar for energy and therefore switches to burning fat instead. You may notice a constant taste of acetone on your breath when ketosis begins, but this should go away after you consume sugar or when your body gets used to it.
Acid reflux: This uncomfortable condition happens when stomach acid enters the esophagus, resulting in a burning sensation inside the chest. A person may experience a bitter or sour taste when this happens.
The Bad Taste in Your Mouth May Be a Dental Emergency If…
Several oral health conditions that require emergency dental attention may lead to a persistent sour or bitter taste in your mouth. A few of these include:
Advanced tooth decay: Cavities and other forms of tooth decay are caused by bacterial infections in the dental enamel. If these problems go untreated, the patient may eventually experience a persistent foul taste in their mouth due to the accumulated metabolic byproducts of the bacteria.
Severe gum disease: In its early stage called gingivitis, gum disease can typically be reversed with improved oral hygiene. However, it will eventually turn into its more severe form called periodontitis if it is allowed to progress, and this stage of the infection requires professional dental treatment and can lead to a lingering sour or bitter taste in the mouth.
Dental abscess: An abscess is an accumulation of pus that forms in the gum tissue near the root of an infected tooth. This problem is severely painful, requires immediate dental attention, and can cause a constant unpleasant taste.
Ignoring a dental health crisis may lead to tooth loss and dangerous secondary infections. If you are suffering from an oral infection, your emergency dentist can help you preserve the health and beauty of your smile.
About the Practice
One Dental New Jersey offers the finest oral health care available in Edison. Led by Drs. Shefat Rabbi and Samanza Ahmed, the staff treats each patient with sincere compassion and remarkable customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are concerned about a persistent bitter or sour taste in your mouth, contact the practice online or dial (908) 409-0881.