What does it mean when you have a bad taste in your mouth? Sometimes a person feels a strange and undesirable taste similar to that of metal in the mouth, the condition is medically known parageusia. The change in taste of mouth can either b temporary or for a long time depending on the cause of it. In this article we will study the causes of metallic taste in mouth and ways to get rid of Metallic taste in mouth and nausea.
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Contents
What is Metallic Taste in Mouth?
Parageusia or metallic taste in mouth is caused by number of factors and is one of the unpleasant conditions ever faced by a person. There are a lot of factors which can make the mouth’s taste unpleasant. Our sense of taste is controlled by the specialized cells which are sensitive to taste such as sweet, sour, bitter, salty. These taste sensory cells are located at tongue. The nerve endings which are sensitive to taste send the message of taste to brain which interprets the taste. In the same way, smell sensitive olfactory cells and neurons are there in the nose which is specialized to receive their stimulus (which in their case is smell), these neurons on receiving the smell transmit the signals to the brain where the smell is interpreted. The system is quite complex and there are many things which can affect the system and can cause unpleasant metallic taste in mouth.
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Causes of Metallic Taste in Mouth:
As we discussed above, the system is quite complex and there are a lot of things which affect it and result in unpleasant or metallic taste in mouth. Some of the metallic taste in mouth causes is mentioned below:
Prolonged Use of Certain Medicines:
Unpleasant metallic taste in mouth is often considered as a side effect of some medicine especially after the therapeutic use of some medicines result in metallic taste in mouth. Some medicines which are often reported to cause this condition include:
- Broad spectrum or second generation antibiotics such as clarithromycin and metronidazole.
- The medicines for controlling blood pressure
- The medicines for glaucoma such as mehtazolamide
- The medicines for the treatment of osteoporosis.
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Chemotherapy or Radiation Treatment to eradicate Tumors:
There are some therapies for the control of cancer such as chemotherapy and radiation treatment both can result in metallic taste in mouth. It is therefore the patients taking chemo or radiation therapies are advised to take zinc or vitamin D to minimize this discomfort. It is also claimed by some dieticians that the deficiency of certain vitamins result in metallic taste in mouth. One of the reason for metallic taste in mouth is cancer as well.
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Sinus Infections:
Sometimes sinus infections can also result in metallic taste in mouth. Since our senses of taste and smell are located in close association, allergies, cold, and any infection of upper respiratory tract can result in bad metallic taste in mouth. If you have Metallic taste in mouth and headache, it is possibly a sign of sinus infection.
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CNS Disorders:
Any disturbance, injury or disorder of central nervous system can also cause sudden metallic taste in mouth. Conditions such as Stroke and palsy are common disorders of central nervous system which can cause unpleasant taste.
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Allergic Reactions:
Food allergies are quite common now days. The intake of food such as tree nuts, shellfish can result in food allergy and can cause metallic taste in mouth and heart burn. In the same way, metallic taste in mouth and diabetes are also reported. Metallic taste in mouth after smoking is also sometimes due to allergic reactions of some chemicals inside cigarette.
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Chronic Ear Infections:
Chronic ear infections especially middle ear infections, surgeries of ear can sometimes result in damaging the chorda tympani (a structure located in close association to inner ear) can result in parageusia or metallic taste in mouth. The condition can be treated by the use of certain medicines to kill infections. Metallic taste in mouth and sore throat are often reported by some patients.
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Pregnancy:
Sudden changes in hormones during early trimester of pregnancy can also cause metallic taste in mouth, extreme fatigue. The increased sensitivity to smell is also linked with hormonal changes. Metallic taste in mouth and pregnancy are often linked. Metallic taste in mouth before period is also one of the general complaints of some females.
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When To See Your Doctor:
The metallic taste in mouth generally goes away after the treatment is given but there are some cases where the unpleasant taste remains in the body. Under this condition, you need to consult your doctor preferably otolaryngologist. Doctor will order your taste test in order to find out the exact cause and intensity of taste disorder. A response of person to different chemicals is measured with the help of taste test. Some imaging studies to have a detailed examination of sinuses is also helpful to find the cause of disorder.
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Home Remedies for the Treatment of Metallic Taste in Mouth:
Metallic taste in mouth can be treated with the help of simple home remedies. Following remedies are proven highly significant:
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Apple Cider Vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar neutralizes the pH of mouth and can provide relief from metallic taste in mouth. Salivation is stimulated due to its sour taste which is a natural way to wash the metallic taste away from mouth. Add one or two drops of apple cider vinegar in water and drink it twice a day for better results.
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Baking Soda For Metallic Taste in Mouth:
It helps to regulate pH and prevents acid and alkaline imbalance in the mouth. Mix a quarter teaspoon in lukewarm water and use this solution to rinse your mouth. You can also sprinkle baking soda on tooth brush and clean your teeth and tongue with it.
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Salt Water:
One of the efficient ways to get rid of bad taste from mouth is the use of salt solution to rinse your mouth. Take lukewarm water and add a teaspoon of salt in it, rinse your mouth and gargle with the help of it.
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Cinnamon:
Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants, a mixture of honey and powdered cinnamon can provide immediate relief from metallic taste in mouth.
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Bottom Line:
Metallic tasste in mouth is caused by a lot of factors. The main factors causing metallic taste in mouth include sinus infections, infections or surgeries of middle ear, long term use of antibiotics and blood pressure medications etc. There are some home remedies which can be very helpful to get rid of metallic taste in mouth. The use of apple cider vinegar, baking soda, salt water and cinnamon can provide fast relief. The metallic taste in mouth will generally go away after the use of these home remedies. If the condition persists for a longer time you need to consult your health care provider
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