A metallic taste in your mouth, known asdysgeusia, can be sparked by many different things.
These can range from oral hygiene problems and respiratory infections to neurological disorders and nutritional deficiencies.
These and other conditions can affect the nerves associated with taste (gestation).
Verywell / Lara Antal
A metallic taste may also be due to conditions that affect nerve receptors on the tongue and taste buds.
They could also affect nerve receptors for smell (olfaction), which contributes to your sense of taste.
Different treatments are available to correct the abnormal taste sensations depending on the underlying cause.
Verywell / Lara Antal
Gum Disease
Gingivitisorperiodontal diseaseoften results from poor oral hygiene.
With trench mouth, the metallic taste in the mouth mainly arises from bleeding gums.
Good oral hygiene and treatment from aperiodontistcan usually reverse this.
Upper Respiratory Infections
Upper respiratory infectionscan sometimes lead to a metallic taste.
Inflammation alters your taste receptors and your overall sense of taste.
Dysgeusia will generally resolve once the infection clears.
However, some infections like COVID-19 can take longer, returning to normal within six months.
As the pregnancy continues and HCG levels drop, the abnormal taste sensation usually subsides.
Rapidly risingestrogenandprogesteronelevels can also make your saliva more acidic, which can alter the flavor of foods.
Drugs commonly associated with this include:
Dysgeusia will typically resolve once the drug is discontinued.
This can occur when certain neurological diseases cause plaques or tumors in the brain that directly block nerve signals.
If such damage occurs, the effect may be permanent.
Dysgeusia may be corrected by having the chorda tympani nerve removed.
However, doing so may also reduce certain taste sensations, like the ability to detect sour tastes.
The abnormal taste may be due to bleeding and might linger until your wounds heal.
This can lead to prolonged and even permanently altered taste sensations.
These include supplements containing high levels of:
Dysgeusia is more likely when supplements like these are overused.
Women often experience dysgeusia when takingprenatal vitaminsdue to the high levels of iron they typically contain.
Discontinuation of these supplements can usually handle the symptoms.
Pine Nut Syndrome
Pine nuts are edible seeds produced by pine trees.
Pine nut syndrome is especially common with pine nuts imported from the Shaanxi and Shanxi regions of China.
To reduce your risk, only eat pine nuts produced in North America or Europe.
Cancer Treatment
A metallic taste is common withchemotherapyandradiationfor similar reasons.
With chemotherapy, drugs like bleomycin, cisplatin, and fluorouracil attack and destroy fast-replicating cells in the body.
This not only includes cancer cells but also normal cells like those in your taste buds.
The destruction and reduced turnover of taste buds account for why 75% of people on chemotherapy report dysgeusia.
Mercury poisoning is typically resulting from eating high quantities of fish contaminated with a form of mercury calledmethylmercury.
Lead poisoning often triggers when drinking water from older plumbing systems made of lead.
Occupational exposure to lead is common in smelting factories and mines.
Autoimmune diseases are those in which the immune system inappropriately attacks normal cells and tissues.
Tips for Reducing Metallic Taste
Treating dysgeusia typically involves treating the underlying condition.
With that said, staying hydrated and preventing dry mouth can help reduce dysgeusia in most cases.
If you smoke or use tobacco in any form, it’s important to quit.
Tobacco containsnicotine, which reduces saliva flow and results in dry mouth.
Medication, vitamins, a food allergy, and sinus problems can also cause the unpleasant sensation.
Then it’s time to see your healthcare provider.
Treating the condition, staying hydrated, and maintaining good oral health can help minimize the metallic taste.
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