In the absence of other symptoms, it is unlikely that a metallic taste in your mouth indicates serious disease. Sour Taste in Your Mouth? A metallic taste is not usually serious and can be a symptom of many different things. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Find out what might be giving your mouth a metallic taste. Here’s what may be behind your swollen, enlarged, or inflamed taste buds, plus treatment options to help you get rid of them. Speak with your doctor to learn more about your options. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Dry mouth means you do not have sufficient saliva, or spit, to keep your mouth moist. A metallic taste in the mouth, also known as the metal mouth is taste disorder that can occur due to a number of reasons, some simple while others quite serious. Use nonmetallic dishes, utensils, and cookware. Changes in taste and dry mouth (which can lead to that metallic flavor) are side … Impaired taste is a common side effect of certain medications. Taste is closely connected to smell, Dr. Korn says. It may be caused by anything that affects the normal process of tasting, such as an infection or even aging. Loss of taste can be a serious issue. Many causes of metallic taste in mouth are benign, and clear up on their own. Metallic taste in mouth is often an unpleasant experience because it interferes with the ability to enjoy meals as usual. All rights reserved. All Rights Reserved. A lack of or change in taste can be due to anything that interferes with the normal taste process. Olfactory sensory neurons are responsible for your sense of smell. prescription drugs or a medical condition. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. This can sometimes occur with a painful, burning sensation … A metallic taste in your mouth is a type of taste disorder known medically as parageusia. An abnormal sense of taste (i.e. Burning your tongue can be painful and frustrating. A metallic taste is usually nothing serious. An otolaryngologist may order a taste test to help determine the cause and extent of the taste disorder. "It's probable that that metallic taste is really just an altered taste on the way to losing the sensation completely," he explains. Having a metallic taste in your mouth (parageusia), is fairly common and, if you are relatively healthy, it's typically nothing to worry about. A metallic taste in your mouth will often go away once the underlying cause has been treated, especially if the cause is temporary. Your doctor will often refer you to an otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor. Learn more…, A metallic taste in the mouth is just one of the changes many women experience during pregnancy. Coronavirus: Now contacting patients to schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments. A metallic taste is a distorted sense of taste in your mouth. The condition is more common than you might think. Many things can affect this complex system and, in turn, cause a metallic taste in the mouth. Medical and dental infections may cause a metallic taste in the mouth… A number of factors can interrupt this system and result in a metallic taste in the mouth. Treatment will depend on the cause. Since taste is directly related to your sense of smell, conditions that affect it or your taste buds are often the culprits, including sinus infections , … Dental problems, systemic diseases, pregnancy, etc., are among the major ones. Regular dental cleanings and cavity fillings can reduce your risk of developing taste changes. Here, according to Dr. When your sense of smell is distorted, it can have an impact on your sense of taste. Gingivitis or periodontal disease that often result from poor oral … Upper respiratory infections, such as a cold or a sinus infection , can change your sense of taste. mouth is your only complaint, the cause might be one of several, including Learn the Symptoms. Click on the combination that matches your symptoms to find the conditions that may cause these problems. You should contact your doctor if the bad taste persists. These can result from: Your central nervous system (CNS) sends messages to the rest of your body, including messages about taste. There are actually well over 100 reasons for that metallic taste in your mouth, a few of which are common, whereas many of which are rare. Again, infection is the main culprit behind an unpleasant, metallic taste in the mouth. This can result in impaired or distorted taste. A metallic taste in the mouth is a relatively common side effect of medications. One case study showed significant improvement in taste with medication management. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. This side effect is sometimes called chemo mouth. Your nerve endings transfer information from your taste buds and olfactory sensory neurons to your brain, which then identifies specific tastes. A metallic taste in the mouth is a relatively common side effect of medications. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This unpleasant taste can develop suddenly or over longer … Cleveland Clinic © 1995-2021. Be sure to spit out the solution after rinsing. Some pregnant women report a metallic taste, especially early in their pregnancy. For those who must stick to certain diets, such as people with diabetes, distorted taste can make it challenging to eat the required foods. Sometimes you get a disgusting metal like taste in your mouth. Infections of the sinuses, ears, and upper airways cause … “It’s probable that that metallic taste is really just an altered taste on the way to losing the sensation completely,” he explains. The Metallic Taste in Your Mouth During Pregnancy, Weird Early Pregnancy Symptoms No One Tells You About, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT. Be sure to seek your doctor's advice if you are experiencing these or any other symptoms that do not improve. Here's what may be causing it and when to see…, Impaired taste is the absence or altered sense so taste, such as having a metallic taste in the mouth. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Dozens of different drugs produce changes in the sense of taste as a side effect, that can include the perception of a metallic taste. A metallic, bitter or foul taste in the mouth is also referred to as dysgeusia. If the cause of metallic taste in your mouth is due to gum disease, then eucalyptus may help to eradicate the disease. Occasionally, the chorda tympani, a structure close to the inner ear that controls taste in the rear two-thirds of the tongue, may be damaged during surgery. Drink juices or other foods that have a strong taste, such as orange juice, lemonade or foods with a marinate or barbecue sauce. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. There may be many reasons behind it. Sources Reviewed by Evan Frisbee, DMD on January 07, 2020 . The condition is more common than you might think. "It's probable that that metallic taste is really just an altered taste on the way to losing the sensation completely," he explains. A sensation of dry mouth with increased thirst; Taste changes in your mouth, such as a bitter or metallic taste; Loss of taste; Tingling, stinging or numbness in your mouth; The discomfort from burning mouth syndrome typically has several different patterns. Metallic taste has been identified as a symptom of some food allergies. Speak with your doctor if you believe you have this type of allergy. This can result in distorted taste or parageusia. The symptoms of pineapple allergy may be mild or severe. This type of foul taste can be both unpleasant and persistent. Chewing eucalyptus gum helps to combat gum disease as whilst chewing, eucalyptus extract is released into your mouth, which is known for its benefits on treating gum disease (mild to moderate). Rinse your mouth with a solution of one cup of water and one tablespoon of salt. It’s possible for symptoms to appear immediately or up to several hours after coming into…. Finding ways to mask the metallic taste may help while you wait for it to go away, especially if it’s caused by chemotherapy, pregnancy, or other long-term treatments or conditions. But these reasons are not common and usually are accompanied by other symptoms. Taste is closely connected to smell, Dr. Korn says. Does your mouth have the taste of old pennies? Taste is important for identifying spoiled foods. Is a Hidden Medical Condition Causing Your Anxiety? If you experience distorted taste after eating a certain type of food, such as shellfish or tree nuts, you may have a food allergy. Last medically reviewed on June 15, 2018, A tingling tongue usually isn't anything to worry about and will clear up soon. Don't stop taking any medication without talking to your doctor first. The occurrence of this weird taste may be intermittent or may last for a long period, depending on … Such a condition hampers the appetite as well as water intake. Metallic taste in mouth. Gum Disease or Poor Oral Health. Your sense of taste is controlled by your taste buds and your olfactory sensory neurons. This healthy … Fitness, health and wellness tips sent to you weekly. It is common for nausea and vomiting to be related to a bad taste in the mouth. Expert advice on what might be causing that aftertaste. You're taking certain medications. Other conditions that can sometimes cause a metallic taste: pregnancy, indigestion, cancer treatment, antibiotics, and gum disease. Green Tea. Here’s our process. a metallic taste in the mouth) is a disorder known as parageusia. It can have a wide range of causes that may be temporary or … Experiment with different foods, spices, and seasonings. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Sinus, upper respiratory, and ear infections. The underlying cause has been identified as a cold or a sinus infection, can your... Products are for informational purposes only absence of other symptoms products are informational. 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