Having a constant foul and sour taste in the mouth is scientifically known as dysgeusia. Metallic taste is characterized by acidic and bitter taste in the mouth even if the person has not eaten anything and it usually results to loss of appetite. The tasteless metallic feeling in the mouth may last for a few hours to a constant or permanent feeling depending on the cause. Generally, the metallic taste can be treated with natural cures and home remedies. Although the condition is not serious, it still needs proper attention to prevent it from worsening.
What Are the Causes of Metallic Taste?
The usual causes of metallic taste run from simple reasons down to complicated health issues. Generally, the metallic taste is due to the following causes:
- The most common cause of metallic taste is due to frequent taking of prenatal vitamins, antidepressants, antibiotics, and medicines for kidney stones, sexually transmitted infection treatment, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer.
- Poor oral hygiene or having oral conditions such as gingivitis, tooth decays and infections, and periodontitis
- Peptic ulcer
- Food allergy
- Copper overdose
- Mercury and lead poisoning
- Burning mouth syndrome
- Iodine intoxication
- Bleeding gums.
- Intoxication of aquatic food
- Excess iron
- Peptic ulcer
- Lichen planus
- Selenium toxicity
- Food supplements such as calcium carbonate
Home Remedies and Natural Cures for Metallic Taste in Mouth
Having a metallic taste is not a serious condition.If you are taking a temporary medication, the unsavory and bitter taste in your mouth will just go away, usually a few days after the medication. You can take these home remedies to get rid of that metallic taste in your mouth:
- Maintain proper oral hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day to get rid of plaque buildup, which causes metallic taste and cavities. Brushing not just your teeth and gums but including your tongue will also take the metallic taste in your mouth. You can sprinkle baking soda and salt on your toothpaste and apply the solution on your teeth and mouth. Aside from getting rid of the metallic taste, baking soda is also effective for whitening the teeth.
- Consume foods that are marinated in vinegar.
- Citrus and lemon juice.
- Cloves and cinnamon
- Rinse your mouth with a glass of water with a teaspoon of salt
- Use plastic utensils for eating and go back to eating with your normal utensils when you feel that the metallic taste in your mouth is gone.