
Have you been experiencing a weird chalky taste in your mouth lately, and are wondering what could be the reason behind it? While the underlying triggers could be many, this HealthHearty article throws light on some of the common causes behind this unusual sensation.
We detect tastes not only with the help of the 10,000 taste buds we are born with, but also the smell receptors present in the lining of the nose. So, it is both the nose and the mouth that help our brain cells identify and differentiate between the various tastes that exist.
Isn’t it really annoying and bothersome to have that weird chalky taste in the mouth all the time? You brush your teeth, use a mouthwash and breath freshener, drink water, eat something, but that awful taste just doesn’t agree to leave! What is more annoying is the fact that every time you talk, swallow your spit, or even eat or drink anything, you are immediately reminded of this awful sensation.
This unpleasant taste also tends to interfere with your food and drink, making it difficult for you to enjoy any meal and refreshment. Oftentimes, the situation worsens when the chalkiness is also observed not just in your taste, but also your breath. This adds to the annoyance furthermore. There could be various reasons behind this horrible experience, starting from a food you ate, to a medication you are taking, to an underlying health issue. The following section gives you a list of some of the common reasons that can alter the taste in your mouth to chalky and/or metallic.
What Causes Chalky Taste in Mouth?
Are you on a low-carb diet?
Are you pregnant?
Are you a diabetic?
Are you on certain medications or therapy?
Did you eat these foods?
Are you dealing with depression and/or anxiety?
Consumption of certain antidepressants and anxiety medications can also be the reason behind the development of an abnormal taste in your mouth.
Do you have metallic fillings in your teeth?
Are you a long-term smoker and/or an alcoholic?
Speaking of alcohol, it tends to dehydrate the body severely. In fact, using mouthwash that contains alcohol can also make the mouth dry. Alcohol is linked with many other health problems too. Therefore, consuming alcoholic beverages can directly or indirectly alter your tastes.
Do you have these health problems?
Have you injured your mouth, head, or nose?
The aforementioned points just substantiate the fact that our sense of taste is linked with more than what we originally thought. Therefore, if this chalky taste tends to become all the more intense day by day, then the cause needs to be identified immediately.
What Can You Do
Prioritize your oral hygiene
Like chest pain is often linked to a heart disease, the first suspicion of altered breath and taste goes to oral health. Contact your dentist to rule out the possibilities of infection in gums and teeth, inflammation in the mouth, problems with dentures, metal fittings, etc. Using non-alcoholic mouthwash, flossing twice day, gargling with hot saline water (two teaspoons of salt in a glass of water), cleaning the tongue regularly, etc., are some steps that can be taken towards maintaining a good oral hygiene.
Increase your water intake
Consume citrus foods and drinks
Go on a one-week bland diet
If acidity seems to be the causal factor, then perhaps it would be a good idea to go on a bland diet for a week. This will decrease the acidity in the body and reduce the intensity of the metallic taste.
Try steam inhalation
For cases where sinusitis and nasal secretions seem to be the triggers for this condition, due to the blocked nasal cavities, steam inhalation would help clear out the blockages and provide some relief.
Considering the various causative factors associated with the occurrence of this unpleasant lingering taste in the mouth, it becomes quite a necessity to get a thorough checkup done by consulting a trusted healthcare physician to determine the exact cause, and implement the accurate treatment. We would suggest to not wait for more than three days since the onset of this symptom.
Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Kindly consult a trusted physician for accurate diagnosis.