Bad Taste in Mouth During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is the most amazing phase in a woman's life, which along with happiness and joy, brings many unexpected changes in a woman's body. Right from mood swings, food cravings, cramping, nausea, etc. the body experiences various changes which are inevitable but can be bothering. Though most of these pregnancy symptoms are very unpleasant, they are normal and not something to worry about. Holding on to this thought, here in this article we will discuss one such pregnancy symptom which is not a major health concern but can be very displeasing, and that is a bad taste in the mouth. Hence, what are the various causes for bad taste in mouth all the time and how it can be treated, we will learn in the following sections.

Causes

Medically termed as dysgeusia, bad or bitter taste in mouth is an unpleasant and annoying side effect of a normal pregnancy. Though it is difficult to ascertain the actual cause for a bad taste in the mouth when pregnant, there are many theories surrounding the reasons why some women experience a lasting, unpleasant, sour, bitter, acidic or metallic taste in the mouth during pregnancy. During pregnancy the body undergoes many hormonal changes which can affect the person's sense of taste and smell. Basically there is an increase in the production of estrogen hormone that causes bad taste in back of mouth. This fluctuation in the estrogen levels cause variation in the hormones that govern the sense of taste and smell, resulting in bad taste in mouth while eating or during any time of the day. Some studies also show that the taste buds on the tongue grow bigger, which causes a sour or bad taste in the mouth. Besides these bitter taste in mouth causes, certain prenatal vitamins, hormonal pills, and antibiotics during pregnancy can also render a bad or metallic taste inside the mouth.

Treatment

The adversity of this pregnancy symptom doesn't restrict here itself, in fact, this bad taste in the mouth can even lead to bad breath. But regardless of the cause or underlying physiology for its occurrence, there are different ways to cure this problem, of which some are given below:

• Frequent brushing of teeth with mint toothpaste can help alleviate the bitter or metallic taste in the mouth.
• Gargling with diluted solutions of baking soda and water, prepared by mixing 1/4 tbsp baking soda with one cup water, can also help in controlling the bad taste in mouth as it neutralizes the pH level inside the mouth.
• Chewing or sucking some mints or flavored gums can help nullifying the sour or bitter taste.
• Citrus fruits, juices, lemonades, etc. can all help in banishing metallic taste in the mouth. Basically the citrus present in these foods neutralizes the metallic taste and also increases saliva production which can wash away the taste. You can also try marinating foods in vinegar to get rid of that flinty flavor.
• Last but not the least treatment for bad taste in mouth is drinking enough water which will not only keep you hydrated but will also help in flushing out toxins from the body.

As mentioned before, a bad taste in the mouth during pregnancy is not a serious health concern which may cause you or your baby any harm. However it can be a bit bothering, so you can try the aforementioned remedies to overcome it. But still if there is no change in your condition and the taste has deteriorated even more, consult your health care provider to diagnose the underlying cause and prescribe you some necessary treatment.