Medical expert of the article
New publications
Bitter taste in your mouth
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Every person has at least sometimes felt a bitter taste in the mouth. Usually, this symptom is associated with the reflux of bile from the gallbladder into the oral cavity due to various pathological conditions of the biliary tract and gastrointestinal tract. Often, such a bitter taste appears in the morning, due to the reflux of bile into the stomach while a person is sleeping (this is more likely if you prefer to sleep on the left side of the body, and during dinner you ate fatty foods).
Causes bitter taste in the mouth
A bitter taste in the mouth can be caused by a variety of diseases, so this symptom should not be ignored.
Often this problem occurs as a result of disorders in the functioning of organs that participate in the synthesis and secretion of bile. Among such disorders are cholelithiasis, which results in the formation of stones that disrupt the normal outflow of bile, chronic cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), and dyskinesia - a disorder of the motility of the bile ducts.
In addition, a bitter taste is sometimes a consequence of diseases of the digestive system, such as chronic pancreatitis or chronic gastritis.
As a result of liver disease, the composition of the secreted saliva may change, which also leads to the appearance of a bitter taste in the mouth.
The cause of bitterness in the mouth can be diseases affecting the mouth itself - such as, for example, inflammation of the tongue or stomatitis. In addition, such a reaction can occur to dental prostheses - in a situation where they are incorrectly selected (without taking into account individual sensitivity to the material from which they are made).
In some cases, a bitter taste is the result of other causes, appearing with acute poisoning, toxicosis in pregnant women, benign or malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract.
[ 3 ]
Risk factors
There are risk factors that can cause a bitter taste:
- Oral cavity injuries or diseases. These may include diseases of the throat area (laryngitis, tonsillitis or pharyngitis), as well as various ulcers or tumors in the mouth. Another trigger may be gum inflammation;
- Injuries or diseases of the ears and nose. Since the mouth is directly connected to these organs, any inflammatory processes that occur in them can spread to it. Among the diseases are rhinitis, otitis, etc.;
- Changes in the internal environment of the mouth, as a result of which the quality and quantity of saliva secreted has changed. This occurs as a result of taking certain medications, dental diseases, wearing ill-fitting dentures, liver and kidney diseases, and endocrine disorders;
- A massive and dense coating on the tongue that prevents the tongue receptors from functioning properly. This can happen due to dehydration, as well as gastritis or stomatitis;
- Disruptions in the functioning of nerve endings, as a result of which the necessary information is not transmitted to the brain. Such failures are often the result of facial nerve neuritis or multiple sclerosis, as well as brain injuries, etc.;
- Atrophy of the lingual taste buds, which can occur as a result of endocrinopathies (for example, diabetes mellitus), natural processes (aging), bad habits (alcohol, drugs, cigarettes);
- Various stresses.
Symptoms bitter taste in the mouth
Bitterness in the mouth can appear as a result of eating fried, fatty foods and alcohol, antiallergic drugs and antibiotics, and also when smoking. If you begin to feel a bitter taste in your mouth, you should consult a gastroenterologist or therapist. One of the most common factors in the development of this pathological symptom is a malfunction of the gallbladder and bile ducts, as well as the liver.
A sour-bitter taste in the mouth is often a consequence of intestinal or gastric pathology (enteritis, duodenitis, intestinal dysbacteriosis, and colitis). But sometimes it can occur due to dental and gum disease.
Bittersweet taste in mouth
A bitter-sweet taste in the mouth often indicates the development of diabetes, so if such a symptom appears, you should consult an endocrinologist.
Other symptoms that may indicate the development of diabetes include:
- Constant feeling of thirst, frequent urination, polyuria;
- Constant feeling of hunger. In this case, a person may experience both weight loss and obesity;
- Feeling of general weakness;
- Problems with vision (the appearance of a “veil” in front of the eyes);
- Problems with blood circulation in the legs – tingling, numbness in the limbs.
It should be noted that sometimes diabetes occurs without all these symptoms, manifesting itself only in the form of a sweet taste in the mouth.
Other causes of a bitter-sweet sensation in the mouth include:
- Stress, depression;
- Eating sweet foods in large quantities;
- Gastrointestinal diseases;
- May be observed immediately after stopping smoking;
- Poisoning with any substances, for example, phosgene or pesticides;
- Diseases of the teeth and gums.
Bitter taste in mouth after eating
A bitter taste does not always indicate illness, it usually appears as a result of constant consumption of products of dubious quality, or due to "heavy" food and simple overeating. Bitterness can also arise from stale food, because it causes intoxication.
Sometimes medications also have a negative effect on taste sensations. As a result of long-term use of antihistamines or antibiotics, a bitter taste in the mouth after eating may appear for 4-7 days after its completion. Quite often, such a reaction is caused by such products as sea buckthorn oil and pine nuts.
Bitter taste in mouth in the morning
Usually, the cause of bitterness is a problem with the gastrointestinal tract, but there are also other factors that can contribute to the occurrence of such a symptom.
Often, its appearance occurs due to frequent coughing (similar to asthma), diabetes or obesity, some connective tissue diseases (such as scleroderma or systemic lupus erythematosus).
But much more often, a bitter taste in the mouth in the morning occurs due to liver disease or bile ducts. If there is also constant heartburn, painful sensations in the stomach and a feeling of heaviness in the right hypochondrium, you should immediately seek professional advice from a gastroenterologist.
Another reason for bitterness in the morning is candidiasis, which can develop in the mouth due to a weakened immune system or during antibiotic therapy. In this case, dryness is often observed in the mouth. Candidiasis should be treated with antifungal agents, as well as drinking more fluids and consuming fermented milk products with additives in the form of active bacteria.
A similar symptom sometimes appears in those who suffer from ENT diseases - infectious lesions of the paranasal sinuses and the nose itself, as well as allergic rhinitis and chronic tonsillitis.
Bitter taste in mouth during pregnancy
The occurrence of a bitter taste in the mouth during pregnancy is usually a consequence of the fact that the woman's hormonal background changes. For the necessary relaxation of the uterine muscles, the body increases the production of progesterone, and this hormone also performs the function of relaxing the valve that separates the stomach and esophagus. When the valve is in a relaxed state, gastro-bile reflux develops. As a result, bitterness appears in the mouth. This symptom also occurs due to a violation of intestinal motility, since progesterone helps to slow down the digestion process.
Bitterness can also appear in the late stages of pregnancy, as the natural growth of the child in the womb occurs, mechanical pressure from the fetus on the stomach occurs, and gastroesophageal reflux develops.
Diagnostics bitter taste in the mouth
To diagnose a bitter taste in the mouth, you should go to see a therapist or gastroenterologist. Self-medication is not an option, because this symptom can be a manifestation of a variety of diseases or disorders. In some cases, you have to see an endocrinologist, dentist or neurologist, because a bitter taste in the mouth can occur not only due to problems with the gastrointestinal tract and liver.
Tests
To correctly diagnose the disease, sometimes it is necessary to take tests. Among them are a general blood test, as well as urine and feces; as well as a biochemical blood test for liver transaminases and bilirubin.
[ 16 ], [ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 19 ], [ 20 ]
Instrumental diagnostics
When determining a suspected gastrointestinal disease, instrumental diagnostics can be performed - a gastroscopy procedure is performed. During this process, the gastric mucosa is examined using a probe equipped with a special optical device. Gastroscopy allows not only to detect the presence of inflammation, but also to take samples of affected tissue for additional examination.
Also, during the diagnostic process, an ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs may sometimes be prescribed.
What do need to examine?
Differential diagnosis
During differential diagnostics, it was found that most often a bitter taste in the mouth bothers patients with gastrointestinal diseases, such as disorders in the functioning of the gallbladder (diseases of the biliary tract, cholecystitis).
Bitterness in the mouth can occur as a result of inflammatory processes or infections - tumors, gallstones, etc. The cause of the disorder can also be problems with intestinal motility.
Who to contact?
Treatment bitter taste in the mouth
If you have found such a symptom, you should consult a doctor (gastroenterologist, therapist, or neurologist). Treatment of a bitter taste in the mouth depends on the reason for its appearance - for this, it is necessary to conduct diagnostics. Only after this the direction of therapy is determined.
In case of problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, doctors usually prescribe medications that help restore the functioning of the digestive organs. Among such drugs are Vikalin and Almagel, De-Nol and Smecta, as well as Motoricum, various choleretic agents and dietary supplements. In addition, herbal choleretic collections are used.
If the symptom is caused by overexertion or stress, sedatives may be used. If a bitter taste in the mouth occurs during pregnancy, such medications are the most effective. Motherwort, valerian, and hawthorn help relieve stress.
If the bitterness is caused by dental problems, you need to drink more natural juices that contain a lot of vitamin C - this will increase the amount of saliva secreted and cleanse the oral cavity of harmful microorganisms. At the same time, you need to undergo a comprehensive examination by a dentist.
Medicines
Medicines that eliminate bitterness in the mouth eliminate the cause of its appearance, so they are prescribed depending on what disorders are observed in the body. Taking medications should only be done under the supervision of the attending physician, who also draws up an individual treatment plan for each patient.
Among the medications that eliminate the bitter taste in the mouth are the following:
Essentiale Forte, which helps restore liver function. It is usually prescribed for liver cirrhosis or hepatitis, as well as psoriasis. The dosage is 1-2 capsules with food. The treatment course is quite long - at least 3 months.
Sodium thiosulfate, the dosage of which depends on the complexity of the disease - 1-20 capsules per day can be prescribed (you need to drink on an empty stomach). If a bitter taste is the only symptom, 1 capsule will be enough. The drug has no contraindications.
Gepabene, prescribed in case of inflammation of the bile ducts or liver. The medicine has a choleretic effect. It should be taken 1 capsule 3 times a day and before bedtime to eliminate pain. The maximum daily dose is 6 capsules. The course of therapy is 3 months.
Allochol is a medicine made from medicinal herbs. It has a choleretic effect, so it is prescribed in case of biliary tract diseases, problems with bowel function, gallstone disease or cholecystitis. The dosage is usually three times a day 1-2 capsules during a meal or immediately after its completion.
Liobil is a drug of animal origin that has a strong choleretic effect. It is used for liver diseases, pancreatic dysfunction, and cholecystitis. The dose is 1-3 tablets 3 times a day after meals. The treatment course lasts 2 months.
Holosas is a medicine used to treat cholecystitis. The drug also has a choleretic effect. The drug is taken before meals. For adults, the dose is 1 teaspoon 2 times a day, for children - 1 time per day. the same dosage.
Vitamins
Bitterness in the mouth may appear due to a deficiency of vitamin B12 in the body. To replenish the balance of this vitamin substance, you should eat foods that contain it. These are mainly animal products. In general, vitamin B12 is found in: beef liver, trout and oysters, cheese, cottage cheese, oil sardines and rabbit meat, as well as cod, sea bass, milk and eggs, kefir and butter.
Folk remedies
In cases where a bitter taste in the mouth appears as a result of eating low-quality products, it will be enough to take some absorbent. This can be activated carbon at the rate of 1 tablet / 1 kg of body weight. A good option would also be rinsing the mouth with a decoction of calendula or chamomile, as they have a disinfecting effect.
If bitterness in the mouth has arisen unexpectedly, you can use folk remedies that will quickly get rid of this taste. Kiwi fruits are suitable for this, which, among other things, contain vitamin C, which is necessary for the body.
A cocktail made from milk and horseradish effectively removes bitterness in the mouth. To prepare it, grate the horseradish root and mix with milk in a ratio of 1 to 10. Next, heat this mixture over low heat and leave to infuse for about 15 minutes. Then strain the tincture. Take 1 tbsp. 5-6 times a day.
Another good recipe is flax seed jelly. It should be consumed 2 times a day, 200-250 ml. In addition to eliminating the bitter taste, this remedy also improves the digestion process.
Herbal treatment
During the treatment process, you can use herbal decoctions that are used for rinsing the mouth.
A collection including 2 parts hyssop, lemon balm, and thyme, 1 part rue and oregano, and 3 parts peppermint - all this needs to be finely chopped. Next, take 2 tablespoons of this mixture and pour 2 cups of boiling water over them, then leave to infuse under a napkin or lid for 2 hours. Then strain the tincture. Gargle with it every time a bitter taste appears in the mouth.
A collection consisting of 2 parts sage, fennel and rosemary seeds, 3 parts dill and savory, and 1 part tarragon, which are finely chopped. Then 2 tablespoons of the mixture are poured into a thermos and 1 liter of boiling water is added. The resulting decoction is infused for 1 hour and filtered. Rinse your mouth when a bitter taste appears in your mouth, as well as in the morning.
Calendula decoction – take 10 g of flowers of this plant and pour 1 cup of boiling water over them. Let the mixture brew for about 45 minutes, then strain. Take before meals – take a few sips of the tincture.
Homeopathy
Homeopathic remedies can be used to treat bitterness in the mouth. For example, Berberis.
This medicine is taken 10 drops at a time, adding them to 5-15 ml of water. Before swallowing the mixture, you need to hold it in your mouth for a few seconds. Take three times a day, 15-20 minutes before meals (or 1 hour after eating). If the case is acute, a single dose can be taken every 15 minutes, but this procedure is allowed to be carried out for no longer than 2 consecutive hours.
Contraindications include pregnancy (due to the fact that this drug increases uterine contractions). Also, Berberis should not be taken by those who have hypersensitivity to the elements of the drug. There are no side effects.
Surgical treatment
Quite often, the cause of a bitter taste in the mouth is cholecystitis and gallstone disease. This disease is sometimes treated with surgery.
This operation is called cholecystectomy, and in the process the gallbladder is removed. Currently, this procedure can be performed in 2 ways:
- the classic laparotomy method, in which the anterior abdominal wall is opened, after which the gallbladder is removed along with the stones it contains;
- laparoscopic method, when the operation is performed through small (0.5-1.5 cm) punctures made in the abdominal wall. During the procedure, video equipment is used, with the help of which the surgeon gets the opportunity to observe the operation on the screen and perform the necessary actions.
Nowadays, the laparoscopic method is more popular. This is explained by the fact that after such a procedure, wounds heal faster (because the incisions are very small compared to scars after a regular operation), and there are no noticeable scars.
More information of the treatment
Prevention
In order to prevent the occurrence of a bitter taste in the mouth, first of all, you need to change your daily diet. The consumption of food that promotes increased bile production should be reduced to a minimum or eliminated altogether.
You should also give up bad habits, because they have a negative impact on the bile ducts, as well as the heart, blood vessels, gastrointestinal tract, skin, etc.
Thus, the best prevention of the appearance of a bitter taste in the mouth is a proper diet, a healthy lifestyle, and quitting smoking and drinking alcohol.
Forecast
A bitter taste in the mouth is usually curable and has a favorable prognosis in most cases. Timely treatment by a doctor will make the elimination of this symptom quick.
It is important to understand that the appearance of a bitter taste is usually a signal of the onset of some disease. Therefore, the problem must be dealt with carefully and competently - by seeking help from a gastroenterologist. This approach will help avoid possible complications and negative consequences.