4 Reasons You May Be Dealing with the Unsettling Taste of Blood in Your Mouth

If you bite down on your tongue hard enough that it bleeds, then you won’t be surprised by the taste of blood in your mouth. But what about when the taste is there despite no obvious injury? In some cases, it can be no big deal while in others it can be a sign of a serious health risk. Read on to learn four of the reasons you could end up with the taste of blood in your mouth, then contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 for a dental cleaning and exam.

Poor brushing and oral health care

When you’re not brushing your teeth the right way, or frequently enough, you’re likely to end up with bleeding gums. This is caused by bacteria thriving in your mouth and growing. This irritates your gums and inflames them. This condition is called gingivitis and it can come with a number of other symptoms including:

• Toothache
• Painful gums
• Bad breath
• Bleeding gums

If you don’t follow recommended home oral health care practices, you can end up damaging both your teeth and gums. You could be looking at gum disease, infected teeth, and more. These can cause both bleeding and a metallic taste in the mouth that tastes like blood.

Vitamins and health issues can cause a metallic taste

Some medicines you take can change the way your taste buds work, and can sometimes result in a metallic, blood taste in the mouth. These types of medications also often result in dry mouth. Some health conditions, such as respiratory infections and colds, can also negatively impact your taste buds. If you suspect that the blood taste is from a vitamin, it should go away once the vitamin has worked through your body. If it doesn’t, then you may want to visit your doctor.

Medications

There are some medications that have side effects of metal-like tastes in the mouth. This is generally due to a high dosage of iron. Once again, it typically stops when you stop taking the drug. The most common culprits include antibiotics and anti-hypertensive drugs. Anesthesia can also result in a blood-like taste in the mouth.

Exercise

If you exercise very vigorously, then you may end up with a blood-like taste in your mouth. This is due to the very high pressure of your blood moving into your lungs and bronchial tree through your membranous tissues. It’s often caused by moving past your own anaerobic state threshold. In most cases, it’s harmless – though it can limit the amount of exercise you’re able to do.

If you regularly have the taste of blood in your mouth and you don’t think the above issues are the reason, then you should consult with California Dental Group or with your doctor. We can be reached at (800) 407-0161 and are happy to provide a comprehensive oral exam. Call today to find out what your options may be.