Sometimes, food and beverages can leave unpleasant tastes in our mouths that only seem to go away after we drink lots of water or thoroughly brush and floss our teeth. However, a sour or bitter taste in your mouth that doesn’t go away may be the result of a destructive oral infection that requires emergency attention from a qualified dentist. Here’s a quick look at how oral infections work, how they can produce a nasty taste in your mouth, and how your dentist can help.
How Can Oral Infections Produce a Foul Taste in My Mouth?
Oral infections like tooth decay and gum disease can often be reversed with improved oral hygiene if they are caught in their early stages like gingivitis or pre-cavity spots. However, an untreated oral infection will eventually become a serious problem like cavities, periodontitis, or dental abscesses. The metabolic byproducts of the harmful bacteria and the tissue decay caused by the infection can lead to a patient experiencing a sour, bitter, or otherwise nasty taste in their mouth that won’t go away.
How Can My Dentist Help?
The best way to address your oral infection will depend on its nature and its severity. After evaluating the problem, your emergency dentist may recommend:
- Fillings: These restorations can eliminate infected dental tissue and restore the strength and structure of compromised teeth.
- A root canal: This treatment can save a severely infected tooth from extraction and bring an immediate end to miserable dental pain.
- Extraction: A compromised tooth that cannot be saved will have to be removed and replaced with an appropriate restoration such as a bridge, denture, or dental implant.
- Scaling and root planing: This treatment is a deep cleaning of the gums designed to remove infectious material and help the soft tissues reintegrate with the roots of the teeth.
- Antibiotic treatment: Antibiotics can help resolve destructive oral infections by killing harmful bacteria.
- Laser periodontal treatment: Using a precise and minimally invasive surgical laser, your dentist can remove infected gum tissue with maximum comfort.
Neglecting to receive necessary emergency dental care can lead to severe oral health problems and potentially dangerous secondary infections like sepsis. Please contact your dentist if you believe an unpleasant taste in your mouth is caused by oral infection.
About the Practice
Bradford Dental Care offers the finest oral health services in Haverhill. Led by Drs. Thomas Bower and Yuneisy Vazquez, the staff treats each patient with compassion, courtesy, and exemplary customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, dial (978) 372-0600. If you’d like to learn more, contact the office online.