Dehydration, zinc deficiency, poor oral hygiene, and gastroesophageal reflux can create a sour taste in the mouth, causing discomfort.
A sour taste in your mouth can also be caused by a number of different health conditions. Here are some common causes.
Dehydration
Dehydration causes your mouth and throat to dry out, which can change your sense of taste. According to the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, saliva is responsible for stimulating taste receptors on the tongue. Too little saliva can change the way your taste buds perceive flavor, making things taste sour.
Adults should drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day to increase the amount of water in the body, reducing this uncomfortable feeling.
Infectious disease
When you have a cold or sinus infection, your body automatically produces various proteins that affect your taste buds and cause bitterness or sourness. Wash your hands frequently and keep your body warm, especially during the rainy or cold season. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Smoking
Smoking damages the lungs, yellows teeth, causes bad breath and reduces taste, making the mouth often feel sour and uncomfortable. The only way to improve this condition is to quit smoking.
Gastroesophageal reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly. Acid from the stomach flows back up into the esophagus, irritating the lining and causing many symptoms such as heartburn, acid reflux, burning sensation in the throat, bitter taste in the mouth, sore throat, cough, bad breath, and difficulty breathing.
Patients should change to a healthy lifestyle such as eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, avoiding alcohol, tobacco, spicy and fatty foods. Avoid wearing tight clothes, do not lie down after eating, and sleep on your left side to reduce reflux.
The sour taste in the mouth reduces the delicious feeling when eating. Photo: Freepik
Poor oral hygiene
Not brushing and flossing regularly can cause food particles to build up in your teeth, leaving behind an unpleasant taste. Poor oral hygiene can also cause sour breath.
Everyone should brush their teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once, and have regular dental checkups.
Hormonal changes
A sour taste in the mouth can also be related to hormones. Women often experience changes in taste during menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause. Pregnant women may experience a sour taste in the mouth during the first trimester.
Zinc deficiency
Nutritional deficiencies can affect taste. Zinc deficiency contributes to a sour taste after eating. Causes of zinc deficiency include a diet low in meat, fish, seafood, liver disease, ulcerative colitis, use of diuretics, chemotherapy...
Age
Our senses change as we age, making food taste less delicious than it once did, sometimes even sour.
Huyen My (According to Verywell Fit, Cleveland Clinic )
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