Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSalty Taste in the Mouth: CausesComplicationsTreatmentsDiagnosisSeeking Medical Care

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Salty Taste in the Mouth: Causes

Complications

Treatments

Diagnosis

Seeking Medical Care

A salty taste in your mouth can have several causes, from dry mouth to infection to a head injury. While this may only be a minor inconvenience, it may also indicate a more serious condition that needs medical attention.

You may experience a salty taste when first waking up or after eating, drinking, or not consuming anything for several hours. A salty taste that lingers can be a type of taste disorder.Specialists calledotolaryngologistsor ear, nose, and throat doctors (ENTs) can help diagnose taste issues.

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A young girl washing out her mouth after brushing her teeth

There are many reasons you may experience a salty taste in your mouth. Many are relatively benign (harmless), but some reasons will require medical care. Some of the most common causes include:

Medications

More than 350 medications have been linked to changes in taste perceptions. Many of them can leave you with a salty taste in the mouth. A few of the major categories of taste-altering drugs include the following:

Many more categories of medications can cause taste changes. These side effects can start right away or develop over time. Speak with a healthcare provider if you notice a change in how things taste.

The taste in your mouth can alter the taste of what you consume and make it unpleasant to swallow. It also can lead to other issues, including:

The proper treatment for a salty taste in the mouth depends on what is causing the symptom. See a healthcare provider to discuss your abnormal taste and establish a treatment plan if in doubt.

If a medication is suspected or known to be causing the salty taste, a healthcare provider may prescribe an alternative option or recommend stopping the original medicines.Discuss any medication changes with your healthcare team before you stop, start, or change what you take.

If a medical condition causes a salty taste, treatment depends on the underlying cause.For example, if you treat the cause of your postnasal drip, the salty taste may disappear.

In many cases, you may not need special testing for changes in taste. You may find relief after discussing your symptoms with a healthcare provider, especially if you have mild to moderate symptoms. In some cases, however, you may be referred to a specialist for taste disorder testing.

Healthcare providers specializing in diagnosing taste disorders are oftenotolaryngologists(ear, nose, and throat specialists, or ENTs). ENTs may use any or all of the following to help understand what is causing the salty taste:

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If the salty taste in your mouth interferes with your eating, drinking, or quality of life, it’s important to consult a healthcare provider. They may recommend minor lifestyle adjustments. They may also refer you to a specialist for more in-depth testing or a taste disorder diagnosis.

If you experience a salty taste after a head injury or recent surgery, seek medical care immediately. This may indicate a CSF leak, leading to a serious infection or medical situation that needs immediate care.

Summary

There are many reasons you may experience a salty taste in your mouth. Common conditions like a dry mouth or a short-term infection can often cause it. If your symptoms are minor, you may find relief in home remedies. However, you should seek medical attention if the salty taste persists or you do not feel better within a few days.

7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Taste disorders.Malaty J, Malaty IAC.Smell and taste disorders in primary care.Am Fam Physician. 2013;88(12):852-859.Tanasiewicz M, Hildebrandt T, Obersztyn I.Xerostomia of various etiologies: a review of the literature.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2016;25(1):199-206. doi:10.17219/acem/29375Schiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005Cancer.gov.Mouth and throat problems: Cancer treatment side effects.US Department of Health and Human Services.Dry mouth questions and answers.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Taste disorders.

7 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Taste disorders.Malaty J, Malaty IAC.Smell and taste disorders in primary care.Am Fam Physician. 2013;88(12):852-859.Tanasiewicz M, Hildebrandt T, Obersztyn I.Xerostomia of various etiologies: a review of the literature.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2016;25(1):199-206. doi:10.17219/acem/29375Schiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005Cancer.gov.Mouth and throat problems: Cancer treatment side effects.US Department of Health and Human Services.Dry mouth questions and answers.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Taste disorders.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Taste disorders.Malaty J, Malaty IAC.Smell and taste disorders in primary care.Am Fam Physician. 2013;88(12):852-859.Tanasiewicz M, Hildebrandt T, Obersztyn I.Xerostomia of various etiologies: a review of the literature.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2016;25(1):199-206. doi:10.17219/acem/29375Schiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005Cancer.gov.Mouth and throat problems: Cancer treatment side effects.US Department of Health and Human Services.Dry mouth questions and answers.National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Taste disorders.

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Taste disorders.

Malaty J, Malaty IAC.Smell and taste disorders in primary care.Am Fam Physician. 2013;88(12):852-859.

Tanasiewicz M, Hildebrandt T, Obersztyn I.Xerostomia of various etiologies: a review of the literature.Adv Clin Exp Med. 2016;25(1):199-206. doi:10.17219/acem/29375

Schiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005

Cancer.gov.Mouth and throat problems: Cancer treatment side effects.

US Department of Health and Human Services.Dry mouth questions and answers.

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.Taste disorders.

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