Sticky lips and a weird feeling in my mouth?

Hey there.

I’ve been dealing with this one issue for a few years now, and if anyone out there has gone through something similar and actually managed to fix it, I’d really appreciate any kind of help you can throw my way.

Look, despite having pretty healthy teeth and brushing like crazy—probably three or four times a day—I’ve got this constant, unpleasant sensation in my mouth. People tell me my breath doesn't smell, but honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if it did. My lips feel all sticky, and the whole situation is at its absolute worst right when I wake up in the morning.

The last time I woke up feeling remotely normal was about a year ago, so I know for a fact that what’s happening to me now isn't just how things are supposed to be.

I’ve tried everything from different teas to various mouthwashes, and I’ve even had doctors check out my tonsils and everything else, but nothing has worked...

I’d love to just brush it off or whatever, but this thing is seriously screwing me over in every possible way.

Thanks in advance, everyone.

Clearly you've got zero common sense

So, how the hell are we supposed to fix this?

What if you just tried brushing your teeth once at night and then just rinsing with plain water in the morning?
Look, man, you’ve got nothing to lose!

Are you seeing any white patches on your tongue?
In that case, you might be dealing with an oral fungal infection.
Either way, you’re going to need to see a doctor to get a real handle on what's actually going on.
And seriously, get your stomach checked out too!

So, I’m pretty sure I’ve got some white patches going on. God knows how I even managed to pick this up in the first place...

How do you even deal with this stuff??

I already went to see my doctor, but they couldn't really do anything about it. And mind you, he’s actually a decent physician.

Larry Moore8 said:It looks like I’ve got some white patches going on. God knows how I even picked this up...

How do you fix this??

I already went to the doctor and they couldn't do anything about it. And he was actually a good doctor.

If it turns out to be a fungal issue, you'll need an antifungal like Red Bull. You can get it in a cream; it tastes like banana and usually clears things up in just a few days.
Now, the real trick is figuring out why the fungus flared up. These things are actually natural residents of the body—they only cause trouble when the environment gets thrown out of whack, maybe from drinking a bit too much. Usually, it's tied to your stomach because something in your digestive system likely got disrupted.
Either way, swing back by the clinic and ask your doc for a referral to a gastroenterologist so they can take a look at your gut.
In the meantime, load up on yogurt and probiotics. 👍

Thanks a ton for the advice. Is this something I can just pick up over the counter without needing a prescription or what?

Angela Wright said:If it actually turns out to be fungus, you’re gonna need an antifungal, maybe something like Red Bull. You probably have some cream sitting in your cabinet somewhere—it usually tastes like banana or something—and it clears stuff up in a few days.
The real headache is figuring out why the fungus is acting up in the first place. I mean, they're basically part of us, right? But once things get out of whack... boom. Usually, it's a stomach thing. Your gut might just be totally messed up right now.
Anyway, seriously, go see your doctor and get a referral for a gastroenterologist so they can actually check out what's going on in your gut.
And yeah, load up on yogurt and probiotics. It helps.👍

Wait, so how do they even know? Is there like a swab test for fungus or something to prove that's what it is?

Larry Moore8 said:Thanks a ton for the advice. Is this something I can just pick up over the counter?

I honestly can't say for sure. Just be smart about this and see a doctor first. If it actually is a fungal issue, you'll end up just treating the symptom while the underlying cause stays put—and that root cause might not be something you want to ignore before it comes crawling back.
Have you been on any heavy-duty antibiotic courses sometime in the last year?
Read more about fungal infections here: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fungal-infections/symptoms-causes/mcd-20350482

Kate Evans48 said:Is there actually such a thing as a fungal swab, or how do you even figure out if that's what you're dealing with?

There are specific diagnostic tests available that can pinpoint the exact conditions causing an imbalance in salivary pH levels, which ultimately creates the perfect breeding ground for fungal growth.

The article linked here says:

Diagnosing a fungal skin infection isn't some casual task you can breeze through; it’s a heavy responsibility that demands absolute focus. A doctor shouldn't just jump straight to treatment—the first step has to be sitting down with the patient for a deep dive into their medical history to map out exactly how this progressed. Since most fungal issues creep up incredibly slowly, patients usually don't even realize they have a problem until quite a bit of time has passed. Once you've got the history, you need to perform an exhaustive physical exam of all skin and mucosal changes. Sometimes a magnifying tool helps, but for a huge range of these infections, a Woodward lamp is practically essential. You dim the lights, shine that long-wave UV light, and suddenly certain fungi start glowing with this distinct blue-green fluorescence. To really nail the diagnosis, you can't just rely on sight; you have to hunt for mycelial elements through direct microscopic examination and by culturing samples on specialized media to confirm the culprit.

Hmmmm....

Can I just get that checkup done at a local clinic?

Larry Moore8 said:Hmmmm....

Can you just get that checkup done at a local community clinic?

A general practitioner could take a look at your tongue and likely spot any fungal issues, but if you want a gastroenterologist to weigh in, you're going to have to head to a hospital for a specialist appointment.