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When Conversing With A Stranger, Be On The Lookout For A Metallic Taste In Your Mouth

A metallic taste in the mouth can be a sign of a number of different things, from a mouth infection to a metal allergy.

By Demetrius PearsonPublished 3 years ago 4 min read
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels

If you ever experience a metallic taste in your mouth, you may be concerned. Luckily, there are many reasons why this could happen and it is not usually a cause for worry.

However, if it persists or worsens over time then you should get it checked out by a doctor.

Have you ever had a metallic taste in your mouth?

It’s important to note that having a metallic taste in your mouth isn’t necessarily bad or dangerous; it may just indicate your body is experiencing changes, or even an illness such as an ulcer.

In some cases, however, there may be other underlying causes behind this sensation:

  • Stress
  • Food allergies—especially shellfish and chocolate allergies
  • Certain medications (usually antibiotics)

But what could be the cause of a metallic taste

  • Bad breath
  • Pregnancy
  • Dental problems, including cavities and gum disease (gingivitis)
  • Certain medications, including those for diabetes and chemotherapy drugs
  • Foods containing copper or zinc, such as shellfish

Because it has no direct effect on your health, it is not often discussed, but anyone who has experienced this can attest that it’s not a pleasant feeling.

But it’s not a direct health risk. So why does this happen, and what can you do about it?

The causes of this phenomenon vary greatly from person to person: some people experience it at the dentist, others when they’re in an airport or mall food court, and some only after drinking coffee or alcohol.

A metallic taste in your mouth can also be caused by having recently eaten something with a high concentration of sulfites (e.g., dried fruits), or even by chewing on aluminum foil—yes!

Eating enough aluminum to cause the taste will eventually kill you (that is right), but unless you are planning on taking up a career as an industrial chemist someday soon, it probably isn’t worth trying to get there through your diet alone anyway.

If you have bad breath, you may also have a metallic taste in your mouth.

Bad breath can be caused by a variety of factors: dry mouth, poor oral hygiene habits, food particles left behind in your teeth after eating, and even gum disease.

The best way to combat bad breath is through regular brushing and flossing as well as tongue scraping once per week (taking care not to scrape too hard!).

Make sure to visit your dentist at least twice per year for cleaning appointments so that any underlying problems can be caught early.

Here are some other causes of having a metallic taste in your mouth:

As you know, there are many possible causes of a metallic taste in your mouth. The good news is that most of them can be remedied by brushing and flossing regularly, drinking water to stay hydrated and getting regular dental checkups.

Other causes include bad breath, nausea or other digestive problems such as acid reflux disease or diabetes; medication side effects; stomach ulcers; and pregnancy.

A simple way to solve this is by brushing your teeth and using mouthwash.

When conversing with a stranger, it's important to be on the lookout for a metallic taste in your mouth. If you find yourself developing this strange sensation, there are several ways to remedy it.

A simple way to solve this is by brushing your teeth and using mouthwash. As tempting as it may be, brushing alone will not do the trick.

You need both a good toothpaste with fluoride and a good mouthwash with fluoride (or, better yet, both). The combination of these two will help reduce that unpleasant metallic taste every time!

If you are experiencing a metallic taste in your mouth due to pregnancy, then unfortunately, there is no remedy for that.

The taste will likely go away after delivery.

In the meantime, it's caused by hormones produced during pregnancy. Your body is doing what it needs to do to help prepare for birth and caring for a newborn kid—so don't get too upset about the metallic taste!

If you experience frequent or prolonged bouts of having a metallic taste in your mouth, make an appointment with your doctor to do some tests.

If you experience frequent or prolonged bouts of having a metallic taste in your mouth, make an appointment with your doctor to do some tests.

Don't self-diagnose and don't be embarrassed to ask for help. Just because you have a symptom doesn't mean anything is wrong, but if it persists for more than a few days and is interfering with everyday life, then it's worth investigating.

If you do end up requiring medical attention, we recommend starting by talking about your symptoms with a family doctor or primary care physician (PCP). Your PCP will likely refer you on for additional testing depending on the results from their initial screening tests.

You may also be referred to a specialist like an endocrinologist or cardiologist if symptoms persist or get worse despite treatment from your PCP.

Make sure to consult your doctor if you experience a prolonged metallic taste

If you experience a metallic taste for more than two weeks, see your doctor. Don't ignore it. This could be a sign of something more serious, such as thrush or dry mouth. Other symptoms include:

  • Bad breath
  • A sore throat
  • A white coating on the tongue

Conclusion

A metallic taste in your mouth can be a sign of many things. It could be caused by something as simple as a bad meal or an infection, such as tonsillitis.

However, if you experience this often or for an extended period of time, it could also be due to something more serious like diabetes or cancer.

If you have any questions about what might be causing your metallic taste in the mouth, please do not hesitate to ask your doctor for advice!

Please check out more of my blogs here.

Science

About the Creator

Demetrius Pearson

I’m no one special, just an ordinary man that seeks extraordinary wisdom.

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