The patient is most likely experiencing problems with the Cranial nerve VII which is responsible for controlling the facial muscles, specifically, it might be inflamed and swollen (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.). The Cranial nerve VII when infected can also cause the loss of taste and dry mouth due to it also controlling salivary glands in the face.
REFERENCES
Bell’s Palsy: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment. (n.d.). Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved October 6, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/5457-bells-palsy