10 Possible Causes of a Salty Taste in the Mouth

Summary: Have you ever had a salty taste in your mouth even when you haven't eaten anything salty? It might just mean you need a glass of water. Saliva is mostly water, so when you are dehydrated, your spit gets thicker and the natural salts in it stand out. Other common causes are dry mouth, allergies that cause salty mucus to drip down your throat, or heartburn (GERD). Sometimes, bleeding gums, vitamin deficiencies, or certain medicines can also change how things taste.

But in rare cases, a salty taste can be a warning sign of something serious. It could mean your kidneys are failing and building up too much sodium in your blood (hypernatremia). It can also happen if you have a head injury that causes the fluid protecting your brain to leak down into your mouth. Even a brain tumor can trick your nerves into tasting salt. If the salty taste doesn't go away or you feel confused and sick, you should see a doctor right away.

For more details, see 10 Possible Causes of a Salty Taste in the Mouth at verywellhealth.com/salty-taste-in-mouth-7229717 (opens in new tab)