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Astringent sensation in the mouth: diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 12.07.2025

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Diagnostics astringent sensation in the mouth
If you are concerned about astringent sensation in the mouth, you need to see a doctor for a comprehensive examination. There may be many reasons, and it is necessary to determine the cause that caused such sensations as accurately as possible. This will allow you to choose the most appropriate treatment. The diagnosis is based on a survey, examination of the patient. It is important to collect the anamnesis as accurately and in detail as possible and analyze it. A general physical examination of the patient, examination of the oral cavity, rhinoscopy and laryngoscopy are carried out.
Instrumental diagnostics
It is almost impossible to say for sure what methods will be used to diagnose the condition of the body with an astringent sensation in the mouth. Everything depends on what concomitant pathologies are identified, what approximate diagnosis is assumed. It largely depends on which doctor conducts the examination, since each specialist has his own list of methods that allow him to make a diagnosis. And this is quite natural. For example, if it is suspected that the cause is some pathology of the respiratory system, then, most likely, specific functional tests, spirogram, fluorography will be used. If, say, gastrointestinal diseases are suspected, the above methods will most likely not be used. Whereas the most popular methods will be ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, gastroscopy, gastroduodenoscopy, fibrogastroscopy and other methods.
At the initial stage, as a rule, they get by with a standard examination, make a preliminary diagnosis, and only then send you for a consultation with a specialist, who actually prescribes the appropriate instrumental diagnostic methods.
As practice shows (analysis of clinical cases of diagnosing astringent sensations in the mouth), the following groups of diagnostic methods can be used:
- If there is a suspicion of developing a disease of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, methods such as gastroscopy, radiography, ultrasound, and colonoscopy are used.
- If respiratory diseases are suspected, the following research methods are used: spirogram, radiograph, functional tests, fluorographic examination.
- If kidney and urinary tract diseases are suspected, X-ray of the kidneys, rheography, and ultrasound of the kidneys are used.
- If heart or blood disease is suspected, methods such as electrocardiogram, angiography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and X-ray are in demand.
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Differential diagnostics
Differential diagnostics is important because it allows to accurately determine the diagnosis (make a final diagnosis) and exclude signs of all diseases or conditions that have similar manifestations. If it is necessary to obtain additional information, laboratory and instrumental research methods are prescribed. Instrumental methods are used more often, since tests are often uninformative. Of the laboratory methods, a smear from the throat and pharynx, or bacteriological culture, microbiological screenings aimed at determining the microflora (its qualitative and quantitative characteristics) are mainly used. It is important to exclude the presence of dysbacteriosis, candidiasis (oral thrush).
Treatment astringent sensation in the mouth
It is better to use etiological treatment based on eliminating the cause for which the astringent sensation appeared. Usually it is enough to eliminate the cause, and the unpleasant sensations will disappear on their own, as a consequence. Sometimes there is a need for symptomatic treatment, that is, means are used that are aimed directly at eliminating the astringent sensation itself. For this, special medications, herbal decoctions for internal use, for rinsing and irrigation of the oral cavity are used.
One of the common methods of treatment is complex treatment, that is, treatment of the body as a whole, at the systemic level. For this, various methods and their combinations (the so-called complex therapy) are used. It is advisable to include medication, physiotherapy, folk remedies, homeopathic remedies, and phytotherapy in the composition of complex therapy.
What to do if your mouth is tight?
If you have a feeling that your mouth is astringent and you don’t know what to do, try rinsing your mouth first. Perhaps you simply ate a product that has astringent properties. For example, such sensations arise after you have eaten cherries, persimmons, blackthorn, pineapple, figs. If your mouth still astringents after this, try eating a piece of black bread. It consists of rye flour, which has sorbent properties, so it will quickly bind and remove all substances that could react with saliva and cause such sensations.
If this doesn't help, you can try taking an antihistamine pill, such as suprastin. It eliminates histamine, and often has an effect, since most astringent sensations are the result of a chemical reaction in the mouth, which is accompanied by the release of histamine in large quantities.
If the antihistamine does not help and your mouth still feels tight, the only thing left to do is to see a doctor and get examined. This is a must, because often a tight feeling in the mouth is a sign of some disease. This could be a disease of the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, a sign of a violation of the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity, which require treatment. If your mouth feels tight, this is not a trifle, as it may seem at first glance, but a serious problem that requires attention and possibly treatment.
Medicines
- Suprastin.
Dosage: take 1 tablet 2-3 times a day. Should be taken in a course of 5-7 days.
Mechanism of action: the main action is antihistamine (reduces the level of histamine in the blood). In addition, it relieves inflammation, normalizes and eliminates increased autoimmune aggression and increased sensitization.
Precautions: Not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation.
Side effects: drowsiness, lethargy.
- Motilium.
Dosage: for syrup, 20-25 drops, dissolved in a tablespoon of water, drink three times a day. For tablets - 1 tablet 3-4 times a day.
Mechanism of action: normalizes intestinal motility, promotes cleansing of the body, normalizes the process of digestion of food, eliminates congestion, absorbs and removes substances that can cause an astringent sensation.
Precautions: Not recommended for use during pregnancy.
Side effects: increased fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, dystonic disorders.
- Domperidone.
Dosage: one tablet 2-3 times a day.
Precautions: Do not take if you have gastritis or ulcers.
Side effects: insomnia, headaches, impaired coordination of movements, increased anxiety, weakness.
- No-shpa.
Dosage: one tablet 2-3 times a day. The course of treatment is 10-14 days.
Precautions: Do not take by children under 6 years of age or pregnant women.
Side effects: nausea, vomiting, intoxication.
- Analgin.
Dosage: one tablet 1-2 times a day. The course of treatment is no more than 7 days.
Precautions: Do not take if you are under 6 years of age, pregnant women, or have a tendency to have low blood clotting.
Side effects: nausea, vomiting, headache, tendency to bleeding.
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Vitamins
If an astringent sensation appears in the mouth, it is recommended to take vitamins in the following daily concentrations:
- Vitamin PP – 60 mg
- Vitamin A – 240 mg
- Vitamin E – 45 mg.
Physiotherapy treatment
Physiotherapeutic treatment methods are almost never used to treat astringent sensations in the mouth. They can be used exclusively to treat concomitant diseases that led to such sensations.
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Folk remedies
Traditional medicine methods can be an alternative to drug treatment for astringent sensations in the mouth.
- Recipe No. 1.
Mix equal parts of arnica, currant and red rowan leaves and fruits, pour boiling water (200-250 ml), leave for at least an hour, and use to rinse the throat and mouth for 24 hours. You can add honey or sugar to taste.
- Recipe No. 2.
Pomegranate peel, hyacinth leaves and bulbs are brewed as tea. Use as a rinse throughout the day in unlimited quantities. You can drink in moderation, adding sugar and honey to taste.
- Recipe No. 3.
Take a tablespoon of ground orange peel, a teaspoon of cardamom and cloves, cinnamon, 10-15 cedar kernels, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave for about 30 minutes. Gargle, rinse the throat, mouth, nasopharynx.
- Recipe No. 4.
Take 2 tablespoons of laurel, patchouli, fir, pine, and thuja leaves. Pour cold water over them and bring to a boil. After the decoction has boiled, simmer for about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to a warm state. Rinse your throat and mouth throughout the day.
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Herbal treatment
Treatment with various herbs has long been used to treat and eliminate various tastes, astringent and sticky sensations in the mouth. Many herbs are used for inflammatory, allergic reactions, changes in sensitivity, to treat digestive disorders, and to eliminate intoxication.
Many herbs are used in the form of decoctions, infusions, added to tea, coffee, and decoctions.
Sage has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, eliminates astringent sensations in the mouth. It is used for rinsing the mouth and washing the nose.
Eucalyptus increases local immunity, normalizes sensitivity, eliminates astringent sensations in the mouth. It is mainly used for rinsing the mouth and throat.
Violet normalizes local immunity, the condition of mucous membranes, promotes healing of microdamages, normalizes microflora. It is used as a decoction, infusion (for rinsing, for internal use).
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Homeopathy
Despite the fact that homeopathy is a relatively safe method of treatment, it still requires careful adherence to precautions, which helps to avoid many side effects, including deterioration of the condition, development of stomatitis, nausea, and metabolic disorders.
- Recipe No. 1.
Take about 30 grams of sesame oil as a base. Pour in a small amount of pre-prepared warm herbal decoction. Prepare a mass of uniform consistency. The mass should be uniform and should not contain lumps. Prepare a herbal decoction of laurel, geranium, and magnolia leaves in advance. When the mass is prepared, immediately before use add 2-3 drops of concentrated ylang-ylang, patchouli, and neem essential oil. Drink a teaspoon when astringent or other unusual sensations appear in the mouth.
- Recipe No. 2.
As a base, take about 20 grams of butter and cocoa butter, mix together. Pour in a small amount of pre-prepared warm herbal decoction (orchid, bitter orange, orchid, rose). Prepare a uniform solution. Immediately before taking, add 2-3 drops of concentrated essential oil of the queen of the night. Use a teaspoon 1-2 times a day, immediately at the moment when astringent sensations appear in the mouth, rinse the mouth and throat.
- Recipe No. 3.
Take approximately equal parts of sour cream and melted dark chocolate, mix with half a teaspoon of ground tangerine peel powder. Mix well so that no lumps remain. Before use, add 2-3 drops of lavender, cedar, fir essential oil, mix thoroughly again, drink whenever an astringent sensation appears in the mouth, use for gargling.
- Recipe No. 4.
Mix equal parts of sunflower and olive oil (about a glass of each component). Heat until warm, stirring constantly, add about 2 tablespoons of amber, cypress, lotus, and rhododendron oils. Mix everything thoroughly and bring to a boil. As soon as the mixture boils, remove from heat and let steep for about an hour. Drink a teaspoon in the morning (on an empty stomach), whenever an astringent sensation appears in the mouth, and always at night, before going to bed.
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Surgical treatment
Usually, surgical methods of treating astringent sensations in the mouth are not used, since traditional methods are usually sufficient. The exception is some dental diseases that require urgent surgical intervention or tooth extraction.
Prevention
Prevention is based on proper nutrition. You should also maintain a normal drinking regime. Eat only fresh and high-quality products, which will help avoid food poisoning and food stagnation. It is better to use separate meals. This will allow you to track whether this is related to the use of a certain product. If this is related to dietary features, you need to exclude this product from your diet. You also need to lead a healthy lifestyle, follow a daily routine, avoid hypothermia, overwork, and nervousness. Regular gymnastics and health practices such as hatha yoga, qigong, and yoga therapy will help get rid of astringent sensations. It is important to learn how to breathe correctly, since it allows you to control the state of receptors, including those that perceive taste and smell.