Table of contents:
- What are the causes of a metallic taste in the mouth and what to do about it
- How to reduce a metallic taste in your mouth
2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
Most often it is not dangerous. But watch out for symptoms.
Strange taste in your mouth, like holding an old coin in your teeth, not exactly healthy. 8 Possible Causes for That Metallic Taste in Your Mouth. It often occurs with serious illnesses. For example, hepatitis, kidney problems, diabetes, some types of cancer.
But illnesses like these are hard to miss. At the stage when a taste of iron may appear, they will necessarily manifest themselves and other signs: constant poor health, weakness, edema, unexplained weight loss or weight gain, regular pain. If there are similar symptoms, go to a physician immediately.
If you feel good and still have a metallic taste, the reasons are likely relatively harmless. But they are still worth understanding.
What are the causes of a metallic taste in the mouth and what to do about it
The metal taste that appears on its own is a type of taste disorder (parageusia). 8 Possible Causes for That Metallic Taste in Your Mouth. To understand where this phenomenon comes from, you need to understand how taste is formed.
Taste receptors (located on the tongue) and olfactory (in the nasal cavity) receptors are responsible for the sense of taste. When something enters the mouth, they transmit the received information to the brain. And that, in turn, determines a specific taste: "it is sweet", "it is bitter", "it looks like a barbecue", "it looks like something metallic." The complex system of collecting, transmitting and processing information can be influenced by many factors.
These are the most common causes of Metallic Taste that make our brain think like a piece of metal has been in our mouth.
1. Poor oral hygiene
If you brush your teeth irregularly and poorly, it can lead to gum diseases such as periodontitis or gingivitis. Such diseases are often accompanied by bleeding, sometimes almost imperceptible. But sensitive receptors record even a minimal amount of blood. It is rich in iron, so it tastes like metal to the brain.
What to do
Keep your teeth and mouth healthy. Visit your dentist regularly.
2. Brushing your teeth too vigorously
Perhaps you are working too hard or too hard. This is another reason the gums can bleed.
What to do
Treat your teeth and gums as carefully as possible, try not to injure them. You may want to change to a softer brush. Talk to your dentist about this.
3. Intense sports
During training, the lungs work more actively, more blood rushes to them. Due to the increased pressure in the vessels, a small number of red blood cells can enter the lungs. When you exhale, they hit your tongue, causing What causes a bloody or metallic taste in your mouth during workouts? metallic taste.
What to do
Nothing. Exercise-induced parageusia will go away on its own as soon as you catch your breath.
4. Taking some multivitamins
The 8 Possible Causes for That Metallic Taste in Your Mouth can be caused by your intake of supplements containing copper, zinc, or chromium.
What to do
Try to give up on dietary supplements for a while and watch your taste sensations. If the metal flavor no longer appears, it’s a matter of vitamins. You can continue to drink them, already knowing about the "iron" side effect.
An important question: you are taking multivitamins for a reason, but as prescribed by your doctor, right?
5. Taking some medications
Parageusia is a common side effect with a number of medications. These include:
- antibiotics, in particular, of the tetracycline series, as well as What Causes a Metallic Taste in My Mouth? clarithromycin, metronidazole;
- some medicines to lower blood pressure;
- drugs prescribed for glaucoma;
- drugs used to treat osteoporosis and gout.
What to do
Look at the instructions for the medicines you are taking. Perhaps parageusia will be found among their side effects. If a metallic taste in your mouth interferes with your life, consult with your doctor: he will suggest alternative medications that will not change the taste.
6. Colds
With ARVI, the nasal passages and sinuses (paranasal sinuses) are often affected. This disrupts the functioning of the olfactory receptors, and the brain receives incorrect information. Sometimes he sees a metallic taste in his mouth.
What to do
Get well, and the taste will disappear by itself.
7. Pollinosis
Seasonal pollen allergy affects the sense of taste in the same way as the common cold - disrupting the function of the olfactory receptors in the nose.
What to do
Try to reduce the symptoms of hay fever so that it doesn't make you feel worse. The life hacker has already written in detail how to do this.
8. Pregnancy
In the first months of this condition, some mothers-to-be find that their sense of taste changes. One of the manifestations can be a metallic taste in the mouth.
What to do
Wait out. By the middle of pregnancy, your usual tastes will return to you.
9. Food allergy
She, too, often makes itself felt FOOD ALLERGY with the taste of iron, which appears after eating allergenic foods.
What to do
If you find a connection between a particular food and the appearance of a metallic taste in the mouth, consult a physician. He will tell you how to accurately identify the allergen and what to do next.
10. Brain damage
They can be caused by head trauma, circulatory disorders (such as stroke), and diseases of the central nervous system (such as developing dementia). Due to damage, the part of the brain that is responsible for taste recognition may not work properly.
What to do
The metallic taste caused by brain damage becomes a constant companion. If you regularly taste iron, see a therapist and talk about how you are feeling in detail. The doctor will suggest that you undergo a series of tests: urine and blood tests, including blood sugar and thyroid hormone tests, cardiogram, and possibly an MRI of the brain. This will help establish the correct diagnosis.
11. Exposure to certain chemicals
High concentrations of mercury or lead vapors in the air are almost impossible to detect without special instruments. But sometimes it makes itself felt by the appearance of a metallic taste in the mouth.
What to do
Track exactly where (in what room, area) you feel the metallic taste, and leave this location as soon as possible. If we are talking about your home or office, seek advice from the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
How to reduce a metallic taste in your mouth
In most cases, the unpleasant aftertaste disappears on its own - right after you catch your breath, deal with hygiene or cure a cold. But as long as he stays with you, he can be disguised or weakened. Here are some easy ways What Causes a Metallic Taste in My Mouth? do it.
- Chew a chewing gum with a distinct flavor, such as peppermint.
- Brush your teeth with a mint toothpaste.
- Eat something generously spiced.
- Drink a couple of glasses of water.
- Avoid cigarettes: Smoking makes the metallic taste in your mouth more pronounced.
If the iron taste does not go away for several days in a row, although you seem to have eliminated all possible causes, contact your doctor.
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What causes a metallic taste in the mouth?
This can be either a sign of a serious illness or a taste disorder. This question was submitted by our reader. You can also ask your question to Lifehacker - if it is interesting, we will definitely answer. What is the reason for the appearance of a metallic taste in an adult?