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I am 24 years old, weigh 123 lbs, and am 5 foot, 3 inches tall. I have been having a strange menthol-minty taste at the back of my throat and chest. I do not have any other symptoms. It starts after I eat something, and the progressively gets worse throughout the day. My throat does not hurt, and I rarely cough. I currently take Tri-Previfem. Please help.
A minty taste in the throat or chest can be due to a number of reasons. A minty or sweet taste in the mouth can be caused by GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease), pregnancy, viral infections, neurological disorders, to name a few. Since you have mentioned that it usually occurs after you eat, it is probably due to GERD. People often get this problem where stomach acid moves back into the esophagus while they are digesting. It can hurt, burn, and leave a minty taste in the throat, among other things. Try eating small meals. Do not lie immediately after eating. If it gets worse at night, try sleeping with the head elevated. Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly. Also, take a urine pregnancy test. I suggest you take Omeprazole 40 mg (antacid), one capsule daily in the morning, before your breakfast. Consult your doctor and take the medicine accordingly. If it does not help, try contacting a physician for a thorough evaluation.
Brushing your teeth is an important part of oral hygiene. Most toothpastes use mint flavoring to give you a clean, refreshing feeling. However, the strong minty taste can linger in your mouth and clash with foods and drinks. If you want to enjoy your morning coffee or breakfast without minty interference, here are some tips for getting rid of that post-brushing mint flavor fast.
Rinse With Warm Water
One of the simplest and most effective ways to remove lingering mint flavor is to rinse your mouth out with warm water. The heat helps break down the mint flavor compounds faster Swish the water around your mouth for 30 seconds or so, making sure to get full coverage Spit out the water and follow up with a plain glass of water to rehydrate your mouth. This quick rinse should wipe out most of the intense mintiness.
Drink Milk or Eat Yogurt
Dairy products like milk or yogurt can help coat your mouth and neutralize mint flavor. The fat in milk binds to the mint compounds, allowing you to swallow them away. Sip some milk or eat a spoonful of yogurt after brushing to diminish mintiness. Stay away from dairy alternatives like nut milks as these are not as effective.
Chew Gum
Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which helps wash away toothpaste residue. Look for mild fruity or mint-free gums so you don’t compound the problem. Chew for a minute or two, then discard the gum. The increased saliva should dilute any remaining mint.
Eat Fresh Fruit
Eating something acidic like citrus fruit or berries stimulates saliva and cleanses your palate. Oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple all work well. The juicy fruit flavors overpower any stubborn mint taste. Just don’t brush right after, as the acid can damage freshly cleaned teeth.
Drink Tea
Sipping warm herbal tea washes your mouth while giving you new flavor sensations Chamomile, peppermint-free chai, or fruity blends work well to override mintiness Steer clear of true tea (black, green, white, etc.) as the tannins can interact badly with toothpaste residue.
Suck on Candy
Hard candies like mints, butterscotch, or lemon drops stimulate saliva flow and give you a pure sugar taste. Suck on a small piece briefly; spit it out instead of chewing to avoid sticking the sugar to your teeth. This is just a quick fix, not a long-term solution.
Oil Pulling
Swishing oil like coconut, olive, or sesame around your mouth for a few minutes helps extract any remaining bits of toothpaste. The slick oil coats your mouth and dissolves mint away. Just don’t swallow the oil when you’re done. This is an ancient Ayurvedic technique that really works!
Scrape Your Tongue
Using a tongue scraper after brushing removes trapped toothpaste from the crevices of your tongue. This cuts down on leftover mintiness. Plastic scrapers are inexpensive and easy to use. Scrape gently back to front and rinse the scraper frequently.
Adjust Your Toothpaste
If you find yourself battling post-brush mint flavor daily, try switching to a milder toothpaste. Children’s fruit-flavored pastes are very low mint, or opt for baking soda varieties. There are also Mint-X tooth products designed to minimize lingering flavor.
Brush Before Eating
If possible, shift your brushing schedule so you clean your teeth 20-30 minutes before eating breakfast or drinking coffee or juice. This allows some of the mintiness to subside naturally before you ingest other foods and drinks.
Let Time Pass
While not the quickest solution, the minty taste does fade on its own within 30 minutes to an hour. Sip water to stay hydrated and dilute the flavor as time goes by. Combining patience with another palate-cleansing strategy helps minimize the wait.
See Your Dentist
If you have chronic bad breath or unusual taste that doesn’t resolve after brushing, see your dentist. You may have gum disease, oral infections, or other dental issues causing persistent taste problems unrelated to your toothpaste.
With the right techniques, you can enjoy your favorite breakfast foods and beverages without the interference of lingering toothpaste mint. Test out various mouth cleansing solutions to find the ones that work best for your palate. Be patient, as the minty taste will eventually dissipate on its own as well. Keep up your oral hygiene routine while making small tweaks for fresher breath and better flavors.
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How do you get the taste out of mint leaves?
FAQ
How do you take the flavor out of mint?
How long does the mint taste last after brushing teeth?
How do you get rid of the feeling of mint?
Why does everything I eat taste like mint?
How do you remove a minty taste from a toothpaste?
Gently brush your tongue with your toothbrush or use a tongue scraper to remove any residual toothpaste. Rinse your mouth with warm water: It has been said that rinsing your mouth with hot or warm water helps to desensitize the mouth from the minty taste of a toothpaste, thereby reducing its aftertaste.
Does mint eliminate bacteria?
Peppermint has antimicrobial activity, so it can eliminate bacteria. In addition to bacteria, it also inhibits fungi and viruses, helping to prevent infections.
How do you get rid of a metallic taste?
Maintain good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing and tongue-scraping, to keep your mouth healthy. Stay hydrated to prevent dry mouth, which can cause a metallic taste. Swap out metal cutlery and water bottles, which can make metallic tastes worse. Try glass, plastic or ceramic versions instead.
Can mint be used as a flavoring?
While this method is not always effective in dishes where the herb has been chopped and cooked, it can be used in some cases. For example, minced mint is one of the main flavoring ingredients in the Mexican meatball soup called albondigas.