Updated on November 11th, 2022
A metallic taste on the tongue can be caused by a variety of factors, some of which are harmless. A gum infection is a common source of unpleasant taste, and antibiotics on prescription can be used to treat it. A psychiatric issue can also contribute to the difficulty. A health care practitioner will then prescribe a different drug, such as lithium, to help alleviate the symptoms.
Dysfunction of the central nervous system, which transmits taste sensations to the brain, is another possibility. A faulty CNS might create a metallic taste in some persons. Food allergies are the same way. Patients suffering from anaphylactic shock, for example, have described a metallic taste after ingesting pine nuts. Pine nuts, which are widely used in pesto and salads, are not allergenic. Although the underlying reason is unknown, treating it is likely to alleviate the symptoms.
Causes of a Metallic Taste in the Mouth
A metallic taste in the mouth can be caused by a variety of circumstances. The condition may go away on its own or when a person changes their lifestyle, such as discontinuing using a certain prescription
However, it might sometimes signal an underlying disease that necessitates medical attention.
A metallic taste in the mouth can be caused by a variety of factors.
Oral Health Issues
People who do not clean or floss their teeth on a regular basis may notice a metallic taste in their mouths. Among the causes for this are:
- Gingivitis and periodontitis are bacterial illnesses.
- Infections with fungi
- oral trauma, including tooth extraction
- ulceration and other denture-related complications
Tumors
A metallic taste in the mouth can be prevented or resolved by treating any infections and maintaining proper dental hygiene.
Sinus Issues
Because smell and taste are so closely linked, sinus difficulties can impair a person’s perception of taste or generate a metallic taste in the mouth. A sinus infection might cause a blocked nose.
- The metallic taste should go gone after the sinus problem is resolved.
- The common cold is one of the most frequent sinus disorders.
- allergies, nasal polyps, sinus infections
- Illnesses of the middle ear or other upper respiratory infections
- surgery on the middle ear
- Dysgeusia is a common complaint among sinusitis patients.
- Sjogren’s syndrome is a type of autoimmune disease.
Dry mouth, sinuses, and eyes are all symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome. People with this illness may also have a continuous metallic taste on their tongues, as well as in their food and water.
A kind of sicca syndrome is Sjogren’s syndrome. Dry mouth and a metallic taste are also symptoms of other sicca disorders.
Several Drugs
As drugs are absorbed by the body, they may leave an aftertaste.
Metformin users, for example, frequently report a lasting metallic taste on their tongues. Metformin is a diabetes medication.
Research
Metformin is excreted in the saliva, according to Trusted Source. The taste will persist as long as the drug is in the person’s system.
Other treatments that can create a metallic taste in the mouth include chemotherapy and radiation therapy, as well as antibiotics for Alzheimer’s disease, such as metronidazole acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and systemic anesthesia (in rare cases)
- a few thyroid medicines
- the adenosine (in fewer than 1 percent of people)
- inhibitors of angiotensin-converting enzyme
- For bipolar disorder, lithium is a mood stabilizer.
- Antibacterial therapy for TB, ethionamide
- gallium nitrate for lowering excessive blood calcium levels, lorcainide hydrochloride for arrhythmia
- Furthermore, some medications, such as anticholinergicsTrusted Source, might induce dry mouth. This could give them a metallic taste.
Cancer Treatments
- Many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can cause changes in taste.
- This could be a result of the medication or its side effects, such as mouth ulcers.
- For patients who are experiencing taste changes as a result of cancer therapy, the American Cancer Society recommends the following suggestions:
- Metal dining utensils should be avoided.
- Use sugar-free lemon drops or mint instead of sugar.
- Instead of canned goods, choose fresh or frozen options.
- Brush your teeth regularly and use flavors like lemon, spices, and mint in your food.
- Before eating, rinse your mouth with mouthwash.
- Eat cold or room temperature foods.
- Instead of red meat, choose chicken, tofu, or dairy products.
Vitamins
Metal-containing substances, such as iron, zinc, and copper, can leave a metallic taste on the tongue. According to experts, this occurs when the mineral promotes the oxidation of the salivary protein.
Calcium pills and prenatal vitamins may have this impact. According to research, closing the nasal tube may diminish the metallic taste of iron but not of other minerals.
As the body absorbs the vitamins, the taste should fade.
Pregnancy
Early pregnancy, according to the National Health Service (NHS), can induce taste alterations, including a metallic taste on the tongue.
Cravings or hatred for certain meals can also develop during pregnancy. Both of these symptoms usually fade with time.
Dementia
- A person’s sense of taste can be affected by a variety of neurological diseases, including head and neck injuries, multiple sclerosis, and depression.
- Taste changes can occur if a region of the brain is not functioning correctly, as the taste buds convey information to the brain.
- According to research, dysgeusia is widespread among the elderly, particularly those in residential care. This may have an impact on their appetite and nutrition.
- Guillain-Barre syndrome is a neurological disorder.
- Guillain-Barre syndrome can sometimes cause a metallic taste in the mouth. The peripheral nervous system is affected by an autoimmune disorder.
- This could be attributed to a “small nerve fiber malfunction,” according to a 2003 review by Trusted Source.
- The only symptom in the early phases of this condition, according to researchers Trusted Source, was dysgeusia.
Allergies
A metallic taste might sign anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction.
If a person suffers itching, hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing after being exposed to an allergen, they should seek medical help right away. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition.
- Kidney disease
- A metallic taste in the tongue is common in people with end-stage kidney failure.
- One of the possible causes is
- a reliable source
- metabolic changes due to high levels of urea and other chemicals in the body and low levels of zinc
- Medications cause a reduction in the number of taste buds.
- a change in salivary flow and content
- Other reasons
- Colds are another possible cause of a metallic taste.
- indigestion and sinus infections
Treatment and Prevention of a Metallic Taste in your Mouth
There is no single treatment or prevention for a metallic taste on the tongue. The cause will determine your treatment. This unpleasant symptom may go away in some situations, such as if you stop taking the vitamins or remove the Source of lead exposure. However, there are situations when you must use alternative methods:
- See your dentist if you have any infections around your teeth or gums (periodontitis).
- Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day to maintain proper oral hygiene. This can help to prevent tooth decay and infections in the mouth.
- To avoid oral infections that generate a metallic taste in the mouth, drink water and chew sugar-free gum.
- Rinse your mouth with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon baking soda in 1 cup of warm water before eating.
- Instead of metal cookware, use plastic utensils and glass or ceramic cookware.
- Cook with a lot of herbs and spices or marinate meat in sweet fruit juices or sweet wines.
- Some drugs cause a metallic taste in your mouth. Please consult your physician and inform them that you have this adverse effect. Switching to a different medicine might be beneficial. Do not discontinue taking prescribed medications without consulting your doctor first.
Why does it Taste Like Metal Whenever I Open my Mouth?
A metallic taste may indicate a severe illness, such as kidney or liver issues, untreated diabetes, or some malignancies. But these explanations aren’t prevalent, and they almost always come with additional signs and symptoms.
Sharp/tart-flavored meals and beverages, such as those with orange, lemon, or lime flavors, can be used to counterbalance overly sweet tastes. It’s possible that sucking on boiled sweets or mints will help your tongue feel fresher before and after you eat. If you notice a metallic flavor in your meal, consider using plastic silverware instead of metal, and glass cookware instead of aluminum.
Is it Cause for Concern to have a Taste of Metal in the Mouth?
In most cases, a metallic taste in your tongue is only transitory and completely safe to ignore. If the metallic taste continues or is associated with other symptoms such as allergy symptoms, pain, or any signs of infection, it is a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider about the situation. Since it is possible that it is a symptom of a more serious health condition, doing so is a good idea.
The following are some of the methods in which you can minimize or perhaps completely do away with taste distortion:
- Chew gum or mints that don’t contain any sugar instead.
- Brush your teeth immediately following each meal.
- Explore a variety of cuisines, seasonings, and spices through experimentation.
- Dishes, tools, and cookware that is not made of metal should be used.
- Maintain your hydration.
- Avoid smoking cigarettes.
Is it Possible for Anxiety to Generate a Taste of Metal in the Mouth?
Anxiety can result in a wide variety of physiological symptoms, one of which is a taste in the mouth that is described as being bitter or metallic. Changes in one’s sense of taste have been linked to stress, possibly due to the chemicals produced in the body as part of the “fight or flight” reaction. Research in this area has demonstrated a strong correlation between the two.
Is it Possible that Vitamin B12 Could Induce a Metallic Taste in the Mouth?
A lack of vitamin B12 is another potential reason for the metallic flavor. Vitamin B12 is essential for the synthesis of red blood cells in the body as well as the proper functioning of the brain system. A lack of vitamin B12 can cause several symptoms, the most common of which are headaches, fatigue, and an inability to maintain an appetite.
Conclusion
The condition’s symptoms may vary, but it’s always a good idea to seek medical guidance for more details. A person who has a metallic taste could be using antidepressants or other medicines that influence the central nervous system, which controls taste. If a person has a significant metallic taste in their mouth, they should seek medical assistance.
Cold medicines and prenatal vitamins are two typical causes of this illness. You may have a metallic taste in your mouth if you have been sick for a long time. For example, you may have neglected to brush and floss, resulting in a metallic odor. This condition may make you forget to brush and floss your teeth. Reduced saliva production can cause taste buds to become blocked, making it harder to enjoy your favorite foods.