8 Possible Causes For That Metallic Taste In Your Mouth

Does your mouth have the taste of old pennies? The condition is more common than you might think. A metallic taste can indicate serious illness, such as kidney or liver problems, undiagnosed diabetes or certain cancers. But these reasons are not common and usually are accompanied by other symptoms.

#1 Drugs that are prescribed

Your body absorbs the medicine and it comes out in the saliva. These medicines include antibiotics such as tetracycline; the gout medicine allopurinol; lithium, which is used to treat certain psychiatric conditions; and some cardiac medications.

#2 Poor oral hygiene

If you don’t brush and floss regularly, the result can be teeth and gum problems such as gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth infection. These infections can be cleared up with a prescription from your dentist. The metal taste typically goes away after the infection is gone.

#3 Over-the-counter vitamins or medicines

Multivitamins with heavy metals (such as copper, zinc or chromium) or cold remedies (such as zinc lozenges) can cause a metallic taste. So can prenatal vitamins, and iron or calcium supplements. Usually the taste will go away as your body processes the vitamins or medicine. If not, check your dosage and make sure you are not taking too much.

#4 Infections

Upper respiratory infections, colds and sinusitis change your sense of taste. This is temporary and usually ends when the infection does.

#5 Treatment of cancer

Patients being treated for cancer with chemotherapy or radiation may experience a metallic taste.

#6 Pregnancy

During the early stages of pregnancy, some women find that their sense of taste changes. One of those changes may be a metallic taste.

#7 Dementia

People with dementia often have taste abnormalities. The taste buds are connected by nerves to the brain. Taste abnormalities can occur when the portion of the brain related to taste is not working properly.

#8 Chemical exposures

If you are exposed to mercury or lead, inhaling high levels of these substances often can produce a metallic taste.

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