A metallic taste in your mouth, known as dysgeusia, is often related to your sense of smell or taste buds. Sinus infections, gingivitis and oral injuries are some common causes. Other causes have nothing to do with the mouth.
Sometimes the cause can be more serious, including diabetes, dementia or kidney failure. In these cases, a metallic taste would usually be just one of many symptoms. A metallic taste can also be the first sign of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction.
This article offers several explanations for what causes a metallic taste in the mouth. It also covers when it’s time to consult a healthcare provider and what steps you can take to minimize the taste in the meantime.
Polywell / Lara Antal
Gum disease or poor oral health
Gingivitis or periodontal disease is often caused by poor oral hygiene. “Bad” means skipping regular dental checkups and not brushing or flossing regularly. These habits can leave a metallic taste in your mouth.
Often, the feeling of “metal mouth” is caused by bleeding gums – a sure sign of gum disease. Blood is rich in iron, which is why it leaves behind a metallic taste.
Bleeding can also be a sign of oral cancer, so if bleeding persists, it’s important to see a dentist for evaluation.
Gingivitis can and should be treated to prevent complications such as tooth loss. If you suspect that gum disease may be causing the metallic taste in your mouth, make an appointment with your dentist.
Burning mouth syndrome
This aptly named syndrome causes a burning sensation on the tongue or mucous membranes inside the mouth for no known reason. It is often followed by a bitter or metallic taste. Additional symptoms may include dry mouth with increased thirst and loss of taste.
Medicines used to treat burning mouth syndrome include tricyclic antidepressants, benzodiazepines (often used to treat anxiety), and gabapentin (used to treat pain and seizures).
Mouth injury or oral surgery
Injuries to the mouth (such as biting your tongue) or oral surgery (such as a wisdom tooth removal or tonsillectomy) may result in a metallic taste in your mouth.
The taste may remain until the bleeding is controlled and the wound is healed.
Medicines
Hundreds of commonly used drugs can leave behind a metallic taste because they interact with taste sensations in the brain. Some of the more common responsible drugs include:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, such as lisinopril
- Antibiotics, such as amoxicillin
- Diuretics, such as acetazolamide
- Chemotherapy drugs, such as bleomycin
Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy
A metallic taste in the mouth after chemotherapy or radiation treatments is so common that it is often referred to as “chemostomy”. The effect usually manifests as a metallic taste, but it can also make the food you eat taste like metal. This is referred to as gustatory hallucination.
Scientists aren’t entirely sure why the change in taste occurs after chemotherapy or radiation, but it’s widely believed to be caused by damage to the cells in the mouth caused by these treatments.
How can you get rid of a metallic taste after chemotherapy?
There are a few ways to deal with the metallic taste from chemotherapy. Squeezing bitter, citrus juices into your food, such as lemon or lime juice, can help mute the metallic taste. You can also try chewing sugar-free gum, using plastic utensils instead of metal ones, and rinsing your mouth after meals.
Vitamins and minerals
Heavy metals found in various vitamins can cause a metallic taste in the mouth. This includes vitamins with:
- Copper
- Iron
- Zinc
- Chromium
- Iron
- Calcium
- Iodine
Women often experience dysgeusia when taking prenatal vitamins, due to the high levels of iron that these vitamins usually contain.
In addition, some foods are fortified with vitamins and minerals such as iron and zinc that can cause a metallic taste. Commonly fortified foods include:
- Cereal
- Bread and flour
- Milk powder and liquid
- Eggs
- Iodized salt
Trick problems
Conditions such as upper respiratory infections, colds, sinusitis, enlarged sockets, deviated septum or even a middle ear infection can cause abnormalities in the sense of smell and subsequently the sense of taste.
Allergies (such as tree pollen) can lead to sinus problems and a strange taste in your mouth. Addressing the underlying problem may be the answer.
Pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can cause disturbances in taste and smell. These changes may manifest as a metallic taste in your mouth.
Like morning sickness, the unusual taste is often more common in the first trimester than later in pregnancy.
Food allergies and anaphylaxis
Specific food allergies, such as to shellfish and tree nuts, are known to cause a metallic taste in the mouth.
It could also be an early symptom of a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. The metallic taste can start almost immediately, before other symptoms of anaphylaxis. These symptoms include swelling, itchy skin, difficulty breathing, wheezing, nausea or vomiting, headaches and disorientation.
Anaphylaxis is life-threatening. If you suspect that you or someone you know is having an anaphylactic reaction, call 911 immediately.
Gastrointestinal Issues
Certain gastrointestinal problems can lead to a metallic taste in the mouth, including:
- Gastroparesis (delayed gastric emptying)
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
- Gastroesophageal reflux
These conditions cause stomach acid to reflux into the mouth. Over time, reflux of stomach acid and stomach enzymes can affect how well the taste buds work.
Managing the underlying gastrointestinal problem will help resolve the metallic taste. This will likely involve a combination of eating less fat, reducing the frequency and size of meals, and prescription or OTC medications.
Exposure to mercury or lead
Exposure to certain chemicals such as mercury or lead can cause a metallic taste in the mouth. You can find lead in old building materials, such as chipped or peeling paint. It can also be present in contaminated water.
Mercury can be found in contaminated water or in some of the foods you eat, such as fish.
If you think you or your child may have been exposed to mercury or lead, contact your health care provider.
Diabetes and low blood sugar
Diabetes and low blood sugar are known to cause taste disturbances, including a metallic taste in the mouth. A common diabetes drug, metformin, is also a possible factor.
Neurological Diseases
Neurological problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, can cause the brain to misinterpret signals coming from the taste buds. This can lead to loss of appetite and a metallic taste in the mouth.
Other neurological problems that can trigger this reaction include:
Renal failure
Another serious cause of a metallic taste in your mouth is kidney failure. Uremic Toxicity (excess uric acid), due to loss of kidney function, can cause changes in taste.
Keep in mind that this is one of many possible signs of kidney problems.
Sjogren’s syndrome
Sjogren’s The syndrome is an immune disorder that causes the amount of saliva in your mouth to decrease. Some people with Sjogren’s syndrome report experiencing a metallic taste in the mouth.
Home remedies
Treating dysgeusia means treating the underlying condition that causes it. With that said, staying hydrated and preventing dry mouth can help manage dysgeusia in most cases.
If you smoke or use tobacco in any form, it is important to quit. Tobacco contains nicotine, which reduces the flow of saliva and leads to dry mouth.
In addition to drinking plenty of water, other strategies that may help reduce the metallic taste include:
- Rinse your mouth before and after meals with salt water or baking soda
- Marinate meat with lemon juice, vinegar or other juices to stimulate saliva production
- Chewing sugar-free gum between meals
- Using plastic utensils instead of metal ones
- Avoiding canned foods
When to see a health care provider
A brief flash of a metallic taste in your mouth is usually nothing to worry about. In fact, if you’ve recently started taking a new medication, there’s a good chance it could be the cause. It should go away as your body adjusts to the drug.
See your healthcare provider if the sensation persists or if you develop other worrisome symptoms.
Summary
Gum disease and poor oral hygiene are two possible reasons why you may experience a metallic taste in your mouth. The same goes for burning syndrome and an oral injury or recent oral surgery. Medications, vitamins, food allergy and sinus problems can also cause the discomfort.
There’s usually nothing to worry about unless the taste persists or you develop other symptoms, such as a fever. Then it’s time to see your health care provider. In the meantime, a few coping tactics can help minimize the taste.
