Introduction
A metallic taste is not usually serious. What you can do to get rid of it will depend on the cause.
Common causes of a metallic taste
There are lots of possible causes of a metallic taste in the mouth.
Common causes include:
- gum disease
- taking medicines, like metronidazole ↗
- cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy
- colds, sinus infections and other airway problems
- indigestion
- being pregnant
Sometimes, a lost or changed sense of smell ↗ can cause a metallic taste in your mouth.
How to get rid of a metallic taste
If you have a metallic taste in your mouth, what you can do to get rid of it depends on what’s causing it. It will sometimes go away by itself.
| Cause | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Gum disease ↗ | Regularly brush your teeth, use dental floss, have a dental check-up every 6 months |
| Taking certain medicines | Speak to a pharmacist for advice – do not stop taking prescribed medicine without medical advice |
| Chemotherapy ↗ or radiotherapy ↗ | Eat stronger tasting food like ginger and spices, and suck on boiled sweets |
| Colds ↗ and other problems with your airways | The taste should go away once the problem has cleared up |
| Indigestion ↗ | The taste should go away after treating indigestion |
| Being pregnant | The taste is usually temporary and clears up by itself |
See a GP if:
- you have a metallic taste that does not go away
- the metallic taste has no obvious cause