What is causing salty taste in mouth?

mikeg · Newbie Joined: 09 Apr 2007 Posts: 1

I also have a salty taste in my mouth and I think (or hope) I know what the cause is in my case.

About a month ago I had a mouth and tongue infection and was prescribed antibiotics. The infection went away but I then developed a condition called Bell's Palsy which is a paralysis of the facial nerves. This also affects the nerves which are connected with taste. I couldn't taste anything on the right side of my tongue. Ever since this started I have also had this salty taste in my mouth and small red bumps have appeared on the end of my tongue.

I notice that some of the other posts have mentioned nerve damage as a possible cause. This would fit in with my current symptoms. I'm not on any medication neither do I take vitamin supplements.

Some other posts have also mentioned the dentist as a possible cause. My mouth infection started after a visit to the hygenist and I rinsed out vigourously with that horrible blue mouth wash they use!

Anyway, the Bell's Palsy is gradually going away by itself and I'm hoping that as the nerves heal slowly the saltiness will go with it!

I'll keep you posted!

russ c · Newbie Joined: 12 Apr 2007 Posts: 1

Hey guys, i found this site a few days ago while looking for help for the same problem. For almost 2 weeks, I've had an on and off metallic/salty taste in my mouth. For some reason last Sunday night, i ate this mint which set it off more and after that it was horrible for hours. That night EVERYTHING in my mouth tasted like salt and it was driving me insane. I went to the health center at my university, and the nurse doesn't think it's anything wrong with me as an individual, but rather a side effect of something.

i WAS recently using a really strong new toothpaste which I think maybe did something, and mouthwash often, but im not sure if they were the cause. i hope this helps someone. for what it's worth, she told me to avoid these things:
toothpaste with whitening
mouthwash with alcohol
alcohol or magnesium in food/products
tomato or acidic foods

I recently switched to a non whitening baking soda basked toothpaste and a very mild, NOT minty mouthwash without alcohol, and the salty taste has been gone since Monday night for the most part. I was gonna go to my doctor, but can celled my appt. because the nurse at school couldnt find anything wrong with me.

I hope this helps someone.

Guest · Guest

I have had Bell's Palsey twice. I have recovered almost completely. I can still feel the right side of my mouth not lifting in the same way as the left, but it is not visible. The two episodes were about three years apart. The night before the second onset I used an over the counter teeth whitener. And although I can't definitively link the first incident to a tooth whitener, I think I used it for the first time just before the first time. Because so much time passed between the two, I'm just not sure. I am writing because I wonder if anyone else experienced a causal connect between the whitening and the Bell's.

Guest · Guest

I've read all the other replies and feel better to know I'm not the only one experiencing this heavy taste of salt in my mouth for at least several weeks now. I live in the NC mountains and it's April, so there's a very high pollen in the air. I'm wondering if it could be from the nasal congestion and constant sinus draining. Other things that have changed in the past six weeks are 1) I stopped taking prescription medications, primarily a pain killer that I was taking for severe arthritis pain 2) I've changed to improve my diet to modify intake of foods that contribute omega 3 and antioxidants, such as fish (could it be mercury?) and berries, cantaloupe, oatmeal with honey and bananas (too much potasium?), sweet potatoes (beta carotine). I'm exploring these possibilities, and trying to notice days when the salty taste is lessened and trying to connect it with what I've tried changing. I'll keep you'all posted on my progress. Let's try to find things in common that we're doing, or eating, medications we're taking or stopped taking, etc. I'm going to try stopping coffee. I'll try using a facial steamer with vapo steam and see if the sinus drainage improves and possibly lessens the salty taste. Lets all try to work together on this. I'll come online to check additional input each day.

champie · Newbie Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 6

Well, I went to the eye doctor who said it "could " be related to the tear ducts but he had not had anyone before complaining of salty taste. It IS allergy season and I take Claritin every morning but still have the salty taste. It does seem to subside right after I have taken sinus headache medicine. I would be interested to know if the person on antibiotics for three weeks is having any luck. I asked if I might have a sinus infection and not know it and the eye doctor said i would know it because there would be thick greenish drainage and I do not have that. The sinuses and tear ducts are close to each other and i am just betting that it has something to do with that area. I doubt that it is bananas or other foods becuase I have not changed those things and the salty stuff is there whether I have those things or not. I did notice that Optivar eye drops made the salt increase. the eye doctor told me that it sometimes takes SIX WEEKS for the drops to leave. So it could be them. Anyone else use eye drops for allergies? I have not used them since April 6....I will wait the 6 weeks and see if that is it.
Thanks to all who post! it does help to know we are not alone!

Guest · Guest

hi! I have had bells palsy for 1 week now. I have done some research and found that the herpes simplex virus can trigger Bells palsy too. I had a headach for 1 week on right side.. then developed a small cold sore on my left top lip.. a few days later I was diagnosed with Bells Palsy. No drooping of my face, just numbness and tingleing off and on. Now my left side cheek and under eye kinda itches.. and does no good to scratch coz I cant feel it..lolwierd! So now I have been getting nose bleeds on the left side. Dont know what causes that. Anyway.. good luck to you all! Hugz!
Sho

Guest · Guest

check your electrolyte balance - you may have a sodium-potassium-magnesium depletion - particularly if you are dieting, working out and drinking a lot of water.

slm · Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 2

I just finished my 3 weeks of antibiotics and my taste is almost normal. i can taste sweets again and salty food taste just a little extra salty. Hope this lasts. My internist and my ENT said my sinuses looked fine when i went to them originally and I had no symptoms. They just did the cat scan I think to act like they were doing something for me . I am so glad they did. If you can afford this test I think anyone still having tis problem should consider it.

Guest · Guest

At least for me. It turns out that it was due to using a whitening toothpaste and other whitening products. I'd been using the products off and on for the past year, but had been daily using a Crest whitening toothpaste with Scope. The salty taste problem started happening only about two weeks ago, so it must be something that builds up after a while. I discontinued using the whitening toothpaste (went to a very gentle Sensodyne toothpaste), and now (after three days) I am back to normal. Hopefully this will help someone else here with the same problem. It was really depressing me until I found this thread and discovered that I wasn't the only one. Please post and let me know if this helps anyone.

Guest · Guest

dear sir/madam,
so many replies but no cure,me to i am sick of this salty taste in my mouth,mine started with the tip of tongue and now it's in my throat, no matter what ever i eat or drink it tastes salty.i am furstated and don;t know what to do?plz anybody have any solution?plz plz help Crying or Very sad

What is causing salty taste in mouth?

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