Bad taste in mouth

[nunz7777]

I had a receeding gum and had a skin graft over 3 years ago. Nine months after this graft was done I started experiencing a spongy gooey feeling and a funny taste coming from that area. It got so bad the spongy feeling and taste I had my perodontist remove the old graft and do a new one. No relief. I finally had my tooth pulled about a year ago to see if that would help. It is now worse. The taste is worse than ever and it is a sour, bitter like taste. I have worn a retainer to keep my tongue away from the spongy area. This helps especially if the taste isn't bad. I've been to several doctors including ENT's and no one seems to know what it is. Dry mouth is what they suspected, but I do not have many symptons of that. It is the spongy feeling and terrible taste that drives me crazy. My family doctor thinks I may have nerve damage from rubbing my tongue on original skin graft. He feels that's why I had no problems for the first 9 months afterwards. If that is the case, the second skin graft and pulling of the tooth certainly didn't help any. I take vitamins including vitamin B-12, hoping that might help my nerves. Anyone have any ideas or help? Thank you.

Is one of the vitamins you are taking Zinc? I have just discovered that is the cause of the bitter acrid taste I get and have stopped using it. I also suffer dry mouth so use a special toothpaste and mouthwash BioExtra you can also buy a gel for the nighttime to keep your mouth moist that helps a great deal. They sell gum to chew on.

[nunz7777]

No I don't take zinc. I really appreciate your response and caring though.
Thank you.

[Midge]

I would still try the dry mouth treatment even though you don't feel it to be too much of a problem. The toothpaste etc I mentioned above is really helping me and I have only used it this past week. I don't have a severe problem but enough of one to for it to irritate. May I also suggest asking your doctor to test for Sjogren syndrome as that can cause dryness of the mouth, eyes, nose, vagina and it is known to cause a metallic taste in the mouth. If you have those symptoms then maybe it is worth testing for it. If none of those symptoms match then have you had your sinuses scanned? Maybe that is causing postnasal drip leaving the bitter taste in your mouth.

[nunz7777]

I use biotene toothpaste for dry mouth already. They tested me for the Sjogren when I first got this. I also have seen an ENT. This is the most frustrating thing. It has gotten worse over the years instead of better. I can handle the soft spongy feeling in my mouth, but the taste just drives me crazy. Again I truly do thank you for your concern. God bless.

[Midge]

Sorry I am repeatuing things you have tried must feel like you are banging your head against a brick wall. All I can find so far are the following

Oral problems

Perhaps the most common cause of taste problems, is problems in the mouth - with teeth or saliva.

Any condition which results in a dry mouth can cause problems because saliva is essential for taste. Chemicals in food or drink dissolve in saliva and this bathes the taste buds. In a dry mouth, the chemicals never reach the taste buds.

Anything which causes inflammation in the mouth can damage the taste buds. Ill-fitting dentures or teeth and gums full of decay are some of the major culprits. Smoking can also destroy taste.

Rare causes of taste problems

More rarely there may be:

* damage to the nerves between face and brain
* stroke
* brain tumours
* tumours elsewhere in the body
* liver disease
* extreme vitamin deficiencies
* some medicines and drugs can cause changes in taste
* depression and other psychological problems can cause alteration in taste
* heavy metal poisoning (a change in taste, and particularly a bitter taste, is one of the perennial clues in murder mysteries but extremely rare these days)

Probably everything you have looked into with your doctor but If I see anything else of interest I'll pass it on

Midge

[nunz7777]

Yes I have looked into all those things. Thanks again though.

yeah, the zinc will do it. it can be in the food, in a mineral supplement, anything. it causes a weird taste in the mouth

Thanks but I don't take any zinc.

Im not saying you do or dont. i am agreeing with the poster that said zinc does that too. but thanks for replying