Ways to Prevent Sour Tongue
Preventing and treating sour tongue or dysgeusia really depends on the cause of it. There are many things that you could try. Some are just sensible decisions when it comes to good oral care, and some are recommended by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery:
- Hydrate
Drinking plenty of water can help wash the sour taste away and stimulate saliva flow.
- Sugarless gum
Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates your saliva flow and help eliminate the bad taste associated with dry mouth.
- Dietary changes
If suffering from GERD, avoid foods that may irritate your stomach, like tomatoes, citrus fruits, caffeine, chocolate, or soda, leading to higher levels of acid reflux.
- Vitamins and minerals
Supplementing specific or multi-vitamins could help if deficient.
- Switching medications
If possible, your doctor can adjust certain medication levels or change to a different one to help restore your taste.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco
Habitual use of these can have long-term health effects on your body, and your sense of taste may only be the beginning.
- Proper oral care
See your dentist for your regular checkups on top of routine brushing, flossing, and antibacterial mouth rinse to eliminate the bad breath and sour taste.
Sometimes, the cause of a sour tongue is out of your hands. And sometimes, your sense of taste will return to normal after you've taken all of your medication, delivered your baby, or managed your GERD. But you and your dentist can do your part to eliminate the sour taste by caring for your teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth. Which, is actually pretty sweet.