What causes a bitter taste in the mouth?
Disease description:
The past few mornings when I wake up, I have been feeling a faint bitter taste in my mouth. I would like to ask the doctor what might be causing this.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Chao
Bitter taste in the mouth is a common abnormal oral sensation that may be caused by various factors. The following are some common causes:
1. Dietary factors: Consuming bitter foods such as bitter melon, chicory, or spicy foods may leave residues in the mouth, leading to a bitter taste.
2. Medication factors: Taking certain medications, especially those with a strong bitter taste, and allowing them to remain in the mouth for a prolonged period, can also cause a bitter taste.
3. Oral hygiene factors: Oral diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis may cause a bitter taste due to plaque, tartar, and subsequent gum inflammation. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to a bitter or unpleasant taste in the mouth. Learning proper brushing techniques and maintaining good oral hygiene are important.
4. Digestive system issues: Digestive disorders such as indigestion, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bile reflux can cause symptoms like a bitter taste in the mouth and acid regurgitation. Bile reflux, in particular, occurs when abnormal bile excretion, often due to gallbladder inflammation or gallstones, causes bile to flow back into the mouth, resulting in a bitter taste.
5. Psychological factors: High levels of stress from work or life, along with chronic sleep deprivation, may disrupt internal organ function and lead to a bitter taste in the mouth. Emotional states such as depression and irritability can also affect taste perception and result in a bitter taste.
