Why Do I Taste Salt in My Mouth? Exploring Causes and Solutions

A salty taste in the mouth can be caused by dry mouth, dehydration, sinus infections, or certain medicines. See a doctor if it lasts.

Common causes

• Dry mouth.
• Dehydration.
• Sinus infection or postnasal drip.
• Medicines.
• Salt from food.
• Gum problems.
• Rarely, Sjögren’s syndrome.

What helps

Drink water, rinse with a saline solution, brush and use sugar free gum.

See a doctor

If it lasts more than a few days.

Dry mouth and dehydration

Not enough fluids means saliva becomes more concentrated and salty. Dehydration is a leading cause of a salty taste.

Oral and nasal causes

• Postnasal drip from allergies or sinus infections, as mucus contains salt.
• Dry mouth (xerostomia) from medications, mouth breathing or conditions such as Sjogren’s syndrome.
• Gum disease or bleeding gums, since blood tastes salty because of iron and salt.
• Infection in a salivary gland or stones, which cause a blocked duct and salty saliva.
• Oral thrush.

Medications and treatments

Antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs, chemotherapy and radiation to the head and neck can alter taste.

Medical conditions

• Acid reflux, when stomach contents reach the mouth.
• Cystic fibrosis, where sweat and saliva are saltier.
• Cerebrospinal fluid leak, a rare cause after head injury or surgery, presenting with clear salty fluid draining from the nose.
• Kidney problems and electrolyte imbalance.
• Zinc deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency.
• Neurological conditions or Bell’s palsy.

Lifestyle

Smoking, salty foods and brushing too hard can irritate the gums.

What helps

• Drink more water.
• Brush your teeth, floss and clean your tongue.
• Rinse with a salt free mouthwash and chew sugarless gum to boost saliva.
• Treat allergies with a nasal rinse.
• Review medications with a prescriber.

See a doctor if

The taste is persistent, comes with swelling, pain, fever, dry eyes, bleeding gums or clear nasal drainage after head injury.

Saliva, nose and mouth causes

A salty taste can result from dry mouth (xerostomia), where low saliva flow concentrates the sodium in what remains. Causes include dehydration, mouth breathing, Sjogren syndrome, radiation to the head and neck and medicines such as antihistamines, antidepressants and diuretics. Postnasal drip from allergies or sinus infection carries salty mucus to the back of the throat. Bleeding from gums or a nosebleed can taste metallic or salty. Salivary stones can block flow and cause a salty taste with swelling under the jaw.

Systemic causes and what helps

Acid reflux, diabetes, kidney disease and nutrient deficiencies, such as zinc, may alter taste. Rarely, after head injury or surgery, clear salty fluid draining from the nose or throat could be cerebrospinal fluid and needs emergency evaluation. Drink water, chew sugar free gum, use a humidifier, practice good oral hygiene and review medicines with your doctor. See a doctor if the taste lasts more than two weeks, comes with a dry mouth that affects eating, mouth sores, swelling, weight loss or excessive thirst and urination.

Based on data from the NIDCR and the Mayo Clinic