What Does a Metallic Taste in Your Mouth Indicate?

Treatment for metallic taste in the mouth depends on the cause. 

• Gum disease 
  • Maintain good oral hygiene
    • Brush teeth regularly 
    • Use dental floss
    • Get a dental check-up every 6 months
• Certain medications, such as antibiotics
  • Talk to your doctor about the side effects to see if you can change the dosage or take another medication 
  • Do not change the dosage or regimen or stop taking a prescribed medication without first talking to your doctor
• Cancer treatments: chemotherapy or radiation
  • Use acidic or sour-tasting flavorings in your foods, such as vinegar, lemon, lime, orange, basil, Italian flat leaf parsley, and cilantro
  • Eat frozen foods
  • Use plastic or wooden utensils instead of metal 
• Indigestion
  • Treat indigestion and the unpleasant taste will usually go away
• Chemical exposure 
  • Remove the source of the contamination 
• For colds, sinus infections, and pregnancy, metallic taste usually goes away once the condition ends
• For certain vitamins or supplements, the taste usually goes away shortly after the pills are taken

See a doctor if the metallic taste in your mouth doesn’t go away, or there is no clear cause.