Salty Taste in Mouth, Lips – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
This article describes salty taste in mouth not caused by dietary salt.
Salty Taste in Mouth – Symptoms
- Saltiness in mouth may be accompanied with metallic, soapy or bitter taste and can be extremely unpleasant.
- Salty taste more pronounced on the back of the mouth and in the throat may speak for postnasal drip, GERD, respiratory infection, throat cancer.
- Salty taste on the tongue tip and lips may speak for gingivitis or teeth problems.
- Salty taste limited to or more pronounced on one side may be due to parotid gland disorder, teeth problem, ear infection, Bell’s palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, herpes zoster (rash on the same side).
Salty taste in mouth can be accompanied by:
- Dry mouth may be from dehydration, medications side effects, Sjögren’s syndrome.
- Burning mouth may occur in vitamin B12 deficiency, herpes zoster, Sjögren’s syndrome.
- White coating on the tongue may occur in GERD.
- White spots in the mouth are usually from oral thrush (yeast overgrowth).
- Bad breath may be due to poor mouth hygiene, gingivitis, postnasal drip, respiratory infection, chronic tonsillitis, throat cancer.
- Throat pain may occur in flu, strep throat, infectious mononucleosis, throat cancer.
Additional symptoms related to specific causes are described below.
Salty Taste in Mouth – Causes
1. Sweating
Sweat is salty and can pour over your face to your lips.