White patches in mouth

The skin inside the mouth is pink in colour in perfect health. Any discolouration or patches need your attention. A problem that some people experience is that of white patches in mouth. These patches or spots cannot be ignored as they appear clearly on the inner skin of the mouth. If such patches appear in your mouth it is an alarm warning you to visit your dentist or doctor as soon as possible. There are many reasons why white patches in mouth appear.

Reasons for white patches in mouth

Let’s have a look at the causes behind the appearance of white patches in mouth.

Lichen Planus

This is one of the most prominent causes of white patches in mouth. Lichen Planus is basically an autoimmune disorder which makes lacy white patched get developed inside the mouth. These patches mostly appear on the palate, gums, tongue and the skin inside the mouth. If the condition worsens these white patches may develop in the throat and oesophagus too.

Leukoplakia

This is a condition in which the white patches develop in the mouth. It happens due to excessive growth of cells in the mouth. These cells leave white patches as a result. [hana-code-insert name=’rectangle’ /]People who chew or smoke tobacco are more at the risk of contracting Leukoplakia. If not treated well within the time it may develop in to cancer too!

Candidiasis

This is one of the most common conditions leading to white patches in mouth. Candidiasis is basically a fungal infection that is caused by the yeast called Candida Albicans. These white patches appear cottage cheese like and develop consistently all over.

Other reasons for white patches in mouth

Syphilis

This problem is again responsible for development of white patches in the mouth and throat too.

Frictional Keratosis

This is another condition that easily leads to white patches in mouth. This condition develops due to the continuous friction from teeth and dentures. The main way to identify this problem is the appearance of white lines in gums or inner cheek.

Smoking

Smoking tobacco can lead to white patches on the palate along with small red spots. Due to smoking the uppermost layer of the skin in the mouth undergoes reactive changes and thus these patches. After three to four weeks these white patches turn red.

How to cure the white patches in mouth

• Any edible stuff that irritates the skin in the mouth must be avoided at all costs.
• Taking aspirin tablet with water can prevent white patches that are caused by reactive changes.
• A moist tea bag when placed on the white patches helps remove the irritation or pain caused by it.
• A solution of milk of magnesia and Benadryl must be used for washing the mouth and spitting all off.
• Consuming a cup of yoghurt with live cultures helps remove the white patches caused due to candidiasis.
• Quit smoking and chewing tobacco to avoid the white patches.
• Prepare a solution of equal ratios of water and hydrogen peroxide and apply that on the white patches in the mouth.
• Avoid consuming spicy and abrasive food.
• Alcohol must be avoided too.
• If suffering from white patches due to frictional keratosis, visit the dentist and get the irritation source removed.

Please note that any medicine claiming to help you get rid of the white patches must be taken only after consultation of a qualified medical practitioner/doctor.

Metallic taste in mouth

[hana-code-insert name=’rectangle’ /]Metallic taste in mouth is a condition in which the taste buds of your mouth continue to give you a sour and metallic kind of a taste. This is medically known as Dysgeusia. The continuous presence of acidic taste is sense in this condition. Although this is not dangerous for anyone but can hamper your eating habits as you would not feel like eating due to the unfavourable metallic taste in the mouth. This can result in eating less hence the health going down. There are many causes of metallic taste in mouth which are discussed further.

Reasons for metallic taste in mouth

The reasons that result in metallic taste in mouth are given below.

• Heartburn
• Gastritis
• Dental caries
• Copper toxicity
• Fluctuation in Oestrogen levels
• Jaundice
• Lead poisoning
• Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease
• Mercury poisoning
• Medications like prenatal vitamins, anti-depressants, antibiotics etc.
• Poor oral hygiene
• Pyrosis
• Postnasal drip
• Selenium overuse
• Tooth abscess
• Scombrotoxic fish poisoning
• Oral infections such as gingivitis and periodontitis
• Any other dental conditions

Treatment for metallic taste in mouth

This problem is more common than we could imagine. Many people suffer from this problem yet find no cure for this. Some ignore it not considering it serious enough and deal with it. As the metallic taste in mouth causes no serious damage to health, this problem is often ignored by most people. There are some easy remedies to this problem that can help one overcome the metallic taste in mouth. Find these remedies given below.

• Citrus juices and food made in vinegar does great wonders to the metallic taste in mouth. You can have orange juices, lemon juice and such vinegar marinated foods to beat this problem as they help in saliva production washing away the metallic taste in mouth.
• It is best to use a tongue cleaner every time you brush your teeth. In fact if you start cleaning your tongue after every meal the results will come out to be even better helping you fight off metallic taste in mouth very effectively.
• Using mint flavoured mouth washes works effectively too. You can alternatively rinse mouth with salted water that you use for gargles. Salt helps cut the metallic taste in mouth.
• Drinking lots of water helps cure the problem of acidity hence warding off the metallic taste in mouth caused by acidic reactions in oesophagus and stomach. The acidic juices produced in the stomach are a major cause of the metallic taste.
• Rinsing mouth with 1/4^th spoon of baking soda mixed in eight ounces of water too works very well in dispelling the metallic taste in mouth.
• Fresh fruits and vegetables must be included in your diet to avoid any gastric and other stomach related problems that trigger this problem.
• Maintaining oral hygiene is very beneficial in getting rid of metallic taste problem and all sorts of dental conditions and problems.
• Chewing raw cloves and cinnamon in small quantities too is very helpful but also note that this is just a temporary solution to the problem.
• If the problem persists and is affecting you adversely it is best to visit a doctor and get a check-up followed by diagnosis done.

Sour taste in mouth

The sour taste in mouth is a very unpleasant condition a person faces. The foul taste in mouth does not let the affected person consume food in appropriate amounts. It reduces appetite due to the bad taste in mouth. This problem is not serious and hazardous for health. Many people ignore this problem and do nothing to cure it. [hana-code-insert name=’rectangle’ /]There are a host of reasons why a person may suffer from sour taste in mouth. They are discussed below.

Reasons for sour taste in mouth

Sour taste in mouth due to post Nasal drip

This is one of the major causes of sour taste in mouth. The nasal mucus is enriched with protein thus giving a good reason for the bacteria to develop here. The bacteria keep on multiplying and reach the back of the tongue, getting accumulated there. This in turn develops the sour tastes in mouth. Sinusitis is also a major breeder of the sour taste in mouth.

Sour taste in mouth due to bacteria

Anaerobic bacteria are most responsible for the sulphur like smell in the mouth. These bacteria sit at the back of the tongue giving a sour taste in the mouth. In the day time the mouth develops enough saliva to wash out the bacteria. However at night the production of saliva lessens giving enough chance for the bacteria to again sit at the back of the tongue and produce the sour taste in mouth. Therefore in the morning the person experiences the sour taste in mouth coupled by bad breath. The bacteria develop in the whole of the mouth overnight and the sour taste can not only be felt but smelled too.

Sour taste in mouth due to heartburn

Heartburn is considered to be one of the most common factors that lead to the sour taste in mouth. While digestion the oesophagus doesn’t have much work to do and lays idle. All the acids that get produced in the stomach during the process reach up to the throat. This leads to the sour taste in mouth.

Sour taste in mouth due to deficiencies and disorders

There are certain deficiencies that when developed causes sour taste in mouth. Vitamin deficiencies and gum diseases cause this problem largely. Pregnancy is also a condition that leads to the sour taste in mouth. Diseases such as diabetes and respiratory problems contribute to this problem too.

Sour taste in mouth due to medications

Antibiotics and most medicines lead to the bitter and sour taste in mouth. They taste bad and leave the effect in mouth even after swallowing causing this problem.

Sour taste in mouth due to Zenker’s Diverticulum

This is a condition wherein the decayed food particles get accumulated in the oesophagus. On lying down immediately after eating these particles fall out from the pouch of the oesophagus and come back to the throat resulting in sour taste in mouth.

Phantom sour taste in mouth

As the name suggest this problem has to do with something superficial. Actually because of this problem the sour taste gets developed due to the misinterpretation of olfactory sense by the nerves. It basically is a disorder of the nerves that gives sour taste sensation which is not real. The patient develops illusions of sour taste in mouth in Phantom sour taste in mouth problem. Epileptic seizures are often preceded by the sour taste. This condition unlike other reasons for sour taste in mouth is serious and demands immediate attention if the problem persists. Consulting a physician and getting a complete diagnosis done is of utmost priority.

How to prevent sour taste in mouth

The basic solution to sour taste in mouth is prevention of development of bacteria in the mouth. Regular use of tongue cleaner is the most essential thing one must do if he/she suffers from this problem. Every time they brush or consume something it is important to clean the tongue too.  If the problem persists or is due to any disorder or deficiency then consulting the physician is very important.