Sweet Taste in Mouth: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

Sweet taste in mouth

If you wonder “why do I have a sweet taste in my mouth,” let us tell you, a sweet taste in mouth often follows consumption of sugary or sweet foods.

This sensation is triggered by the taste buds when you consume foods like fruit, candy, chocolate, ice cream, honey, or anything sweet. But it is abnormal to have a sweet taste in the mouth without eating sweet or sugary foods.

If you feel your saliva tastes sweet, diabetes or bacterial infection may also be the cause. This enhanced sense of taste in your mouth is medically called as Hypergeusia.

Causes of a sweet taste in your mouth can vary, and some of them are outlined below. We have also outlined how to get rid of the sweet taste in mouth and when you should see a doctor in such situations.


What Causes Sweet Taste in Mouth?

Why does everything taste sweet? That’s the usual question from someone suffering from this unusual symptom.

Sometimes saliva tastes sweet and often consuming sugary foods can be a cause of this symptom. Below are a few medical conditions that can cause a sweet taste in the mouth.

1. Diabetes

In diabetes, the body is incapable of producing enough insulin. This results in a spike or high levels of sugar, or glucose in the blood. It is possible to have changes to your sense of taste due to diabetes.

According to a study by National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, diabetes can lead to accumulation of bacteria causing plaque buildup. Plaque can also get built up, on consumption of sugary foods and cause a sweet taste in mouth.

Diabetes also includes symptoms of constant thirst, neurological disturbances, increased appetite, and frequent urination.

2. Neurological Problems

Taste sensory nerve damage can also cause a sweet taste in the mouth. A stroke or seizure can both cause sensory impairment including damage or changes to the sense of taste. Sweet taste in the mouth has been known to be a symptom of epilepsy.

Strokes can cause taste and smell dysfunction reports Canadian Journal of Neuroscience Nursing. Another report found that a person’s sense of taste was impacted by a brain tumor. The patient could taste everything either salty or sweet. After a successful treatment, the patient no longer reported of a constant sweet sensation from food.

3. Bacterial Infections

Did you ever notice in case of a sinus infection or cold, your sense of taste or smell is affected? That is because an infection to your major airways will affect your taste receptors, reports The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

The infection can sometimes prevent and inhibit taste, but other times it has been found to create a constant sweet taste in the mouth.

Bacterial infections are known to make the body work extra hard to fight off the illness. The upper respiratory tract is often affected and can leave a sweet taste in your mouth.

4. Pseudomonas Infection

Pseudomonas infection is a bacterial infection which commonly leads to inflammation of the sinuses, commonly known as sinusitis. This condition affects the nasal passages which can occasionally alter the taste buds causing a sweet taste in the mouth.

Taste receptors can experience a more serious impact in severe cases. Pseudomonas can affect the lungs and entire upper respiratory system; leading to symptoms including a cough, fever, sputum production, chills, and trouble breathing.

5. Dietary Deficiency

Though less common, a constant sweet taste in the mouth can be a result of vitamin deficiencies. Deficiency of zinc, folic acid, Vitamin B, or other vitamins can give you a sweet taste in the mouth.

This condition will usually disappear on its own after a couple of days. Be certain you eat a well-balanced diet and exercise regularly to maintain your health.

6. Ketosis

Ketone is a compound released in the body when it burns fat as a source of energy. Ketosis has become popular in diets which are low-carb, high fat, and average in protein consumption.

Ketones produce acetone, which you breathe out and can cause a fruity smell or taste. Diabetics must be careful with ketosis when blood sugar and insulin levels drop.

Ketosis is not always bad, and some feel sensations of increased levels of clarity. It is important to note that if you suffer from deficiencies or an existing medical condition and experience a sweet taste in your mouth, see your doctor to ensure you’re in proper health.


How to Get Rid of Sweet Taste in Mouth?

If you experience an unusual sweet taste in the mouth, there are many steps you can take in order to prevent and get rid of this condition. Below are a few remedies to get rid of the sweet taste in mouth.

1. Diabetes Treatment

Diabetes can be a major cause of sweet taste in mouth. Medication is an obvious treatment method in order to maintain proper levels of blood sugar and insulin. Dietary changes also play a major role in improving your health and diabetic symptoms.

If you’re diabetic and your saliva tastes sweet, talk to your doctor to put together a medication, exercise, and diet regime to minimize your symptoms.

2. Antibiotics

Antibiotics are often a trusted treatment if you are suffering from Pseudomonas infection (sinusitis). There are many different antibiotics you can choose from, but see you doctor for recommendations and guidance depending on your condition.

Be sure you know all of your symptoms and clearly explain them to your doctor. Sweet taste in the mouth usually accompanies other worsening conditions or symptoms.

3. Diet

A sweet taste in your mouth is often a result of sugary or acidic foods. Anything which can negatively impact your insulin or blood sugar levels should be watched in order reduce the condition.

Changes to your diet can help. If artificial sweeteners linger in your mouth after eating ensure that you properly rinse your mouth with water, brush your teeth regularly, and avoid foods with excessively high concentrates of sugar.

4. Alternative Treatments

Considering the severity of sweet taste in the mouth, treatment and prevention of the condition can be a challenge. Following alternative treatments can help you get rid of sweet taste in your mouth.

  • Probiotics
  • Supplements
  • Antacids
  • Insulin Therapy
  • Other Digestion Improvements

Be sure to see your doctor if you have a pre-existing medical condition such as diabetes or nerve damage.


How to Prevent Sweet Taste in Mouth?

A sweet taste in mouth is not always a serious condition. As we have outlined above there are various causes of the condition. It can occasionally be a symptom of a more serious medical condition.

If you experience a sweet sensation in your mouth rarely, it is likely that it will go away on its own. A healthy diet consisting of fruits, vegetables, and lean protein is the best possible prevention method.

Accompany the diet with low-sugar intake and you are likely to prevent constant sweet taste in mouth most of the time.


When to Seek Medical Help?

If your saliva tastes sweet infrequently, you should be fine. It will likely disappear on its own. If you notice the condition to be constant and frequent, you may want to see a doctor in order to get a proper evaluation.

This condition mostly affects your respiratory system. So, based on your condition, sometimes it may be more appropriate to see one of the following:

  • An ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor)
  • An endocrinologist
  • Neurologist

If you notice a prolonged sensation of sweetness in your mouth, it would be the most optimal time to seek medical help.

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Sources:
Fadden, H., “A Constant Sweet Taste In The Mouth – Everything You Need To Know!”,Improve Your Health”, May 02, 2016; https://health-benefits-of.net/sweet-taste-mouth.
Hills, J., “Sweet Taste in Mouth: Causes, Solutions, and When to See a Doctor,” Healthy and Natural World web site; http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/sweet-taste-in-mouth/, last accessed October 1st, 2017.
“What’s Causing a Sweet Taste in My Mouth?” Healthline web site, https://www.healthline.com/health/sweet-taste-in-mouth#overview1, last accessed October 1st, 2017.
“Sweet Taste in Mouth”, MDDK web site; https://mddk.com/sweet-taste-in-mouth.html, last accessed October 1st, 2017.

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James Concato

James Concato is a Hospital Administrator in the Chicagoland area. He has been in healthcare for more than 25 years. He holds a Masters Degree in Healthcare Administration from Quinnipiac University and has worked in or lead many different departments. Writing on cancer treatment and cancer prevention through natural treatments is his passion. James, like many others, has had family members pass away from cancer and he knows that Cancer screening is the key to better outcomes. As an administrator of different physician practices like Pediatrics, Surgery, Anesthesia, and Oncology James brings a wealth of knowledge to his writing. James is interested in educating the public through his writing.