Why there is a metallic taste in the mouth and what to do about it

Strange taste in the mouth, as if you held an old coin in your teeth, not entirely healthy8 Possible Causes for That Metallic Taste in Your Mouth. It often occurs with serious illnesses. For example, hepatitis, kidney disorders, diabetes, some types of cancer.

But diseases like this are hard to miss. At the stage when the taste of iron may appear, they necessarily manifest themselves in other signs: persistent unwell, weakness, swelling, unexplained weight loss or gain, regularly arising pain. If there are similar symptoms, go to a physician immediately.

If you are feeling ok 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

A metal taste that appears to appear on its own is a type of gustatory 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, defines 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.

Here are the most common reasonsMetallic Tastethat 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 disease, 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. See your dentist regularly.

2. Brushing your teeth too vigorously

Perhaps you are using the brush 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 might 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 flows 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 fall on the tongue, causingWhat causes a bloody or metallic taste in your mouth during workouts? metallic taste.

What to do

Nothing. Exercise-induced parageusia will go away as soon as you catch your breath.

4. Taking some multivitamins

A metallic taste in the mouth may be due to8 Possible Causes for That Metallic Taste in Your Mouth that you drink 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 metallic taste no longer appears, it is 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 a doctor, true?

5. Taking certain medications

Parageusia is a common side effect with a number of medications. These include:

• antibiotics, in particular of the tetracycline series, andWhat Causes a Metallic Taste in My Mouth? clarithromycin, metronidazole;
• some medicines to reduce pressure;
• drugs prescribed for glaucoma;
• drugs used to treat osteoporosis and gout.

What to do

Look at the instructions for the drugs 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. Cold

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

Recoverand the taste will disappear by itself.

7. Hay fever

Seasonal pollen allergies affect the sense of taste in the same way as the common cold - disrupting 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. Lifehacker already in detail wrote, how to do it.

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 feltFOOD ALLERGY the taste of iron that appears after consuming 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 allergen and what to do next.

10. Brain damage

They can be caused by head trauma, circulatory disorders (for example, stroke) and diseases of the central nervous system (for example, a 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 your well-being in detail. The doctor will suggest that you undergo a series of tests: urine and blood tests, including blood sugar and thyroid hormone levels, cardiogram, and possibly an MRI of the brain. This will help establish the correct diagnosis.

11. Exposure to certain chemicals

High vapor concentration mercury or lead in the air is 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 Emergencies.

How to reduce a metallic taste in your mouth

In most cases, the unpleasant aftertaste disappears on its own - immediately after you catch your breath, sort out your hygiene or cure a cold. But as long as he stays with you, he can be masked or weakened. Here are some easy waysWhat 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.
• Give up cigarettes: Smoking makes the metallic taste in the 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.