The metallic taste in the mouth is due to the fact that the perception of taste changes. It may be associated with problems with the respiratory, digestive, and dental diseases. Sometimes its occurrence is facilitated by the intake of certain drugs and the ingestion of heavy metals.
The mechanism of the appearance of taste sensations
A metallic taste may appear on an empty stomach in the morning. The largest number of taste buds is located on the tongue. In addition, they are found in the epiglottis, pharynx, in the sky, that is, other parts of the mucosa of this cavity. They consist of two types of cells: support and taste, each of which has nerve fibers. Taste information enters the brain through the vagus nerve. Its endings can be found in almost any organ. In this regard, any painful dynamics in any of them contributes to the occurrence of such a symptom.
Dental pathology
Causes of a metallic taste in the mouth can be diseases of the oral cavity. It occurs with the following diseases:
- stomatitis - an ailment that occurs due to damage to the mucous membrane into which the infection penetrates;
- periodontitis - a disease in which tooth mobility due to broken periodontal connections is noted;
- gingivitis - a pathology associated with inflammation and bleeding;
- glossitis - inflammation of the tongue due to the pathogenic effects of microorganisms or resulting injuries.
Also, a metallic taste in the mouth can occur due to the installed braces, bridges, crowns. Under the influence of saliva and acidic food, they oxidize, which indicates poor quality materials. The installation of various prostheses in the mouth also contributes to its occurrence.
Systemic pathology
If this taste in the mouth appears periodically, while accompanied by additional symptoms, this indicates systemic diseases of the body. It can be caused by allergic reactions, and malfunctions of the internal organs.
Sometimes iron taste can appear in adolescents with hormonal changes in the body. If other deviations are not detected, do not worry. The work of receptors stabilizes over time.
The appearance of such a taste is associated with the following diseases:
- Anemia.
- Hypovitaminosis - due to a lack of B vitamins, as well as ascorbic acid and tocopherol.
- Diabetes mellitus (usually it is a harbinger of a coma) - after the stabilization of fat and carbohydrate metabolism, the symptom disappears.
- Allergy.
- Inflammation of the mucous membrane, injuries and burns (disappears after eliminating the cause).
- Neural pathologies due to the existing connection of the tongue receptors with the brain, it can also indicate the development of multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's disease.
- Gastrointestinal ailments: gall bladder - cholecystitis, cholangitis, dyskinesia; liver diseases - cysts, tumors, pancreatitis, hepatitis; an ulcer or gastritis; bowel disease.
- ENT diseases: cystic fibrosis, lung abscess, tuberculosis, pulmonary hypertension, pneumonia, infection of the respiratory tract of a fungal nature, sinusitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, otitis media, sinusitis;
- Poisoning with salts of heavy metals: arsenic, copper, vanadium, lead, mercury and others.
- Oncological diseases.
Specific reasons
Such a sign as a metallic taste in the mouth can not only be present in various pathologies, but can also be due to the following reasons:
- Being on diets with a long period of hunger strike while limiting fluid intake, which leads to a violation of metabolic processes.
- Professional activity - in activities associated with constant contact with pollutants, including if they are part of various substances, such as paints.
- Drug therapy - when taking drugs with a pronounced toxic effect that affects the liver ("Lansporazole", "Tetracycline", "Metronidazole") - when the cause of the metallic taste in the mouth is eliminated, such sensations disappear.
- Pregnancy is a process that promotes the restructuring of the whole body, including hormones and metabolic processes. Often, a metallic taste in the mouth during pregnancy occurs in its first half, when toxicosis of the body is noted. A woman experiences bouts of vomiting, a deficiency of vitamin C is noted, her appetite is reduced, which provokes the appearance of a metallic taste.
Causes of metallic taste in the mouth of women
In the fairer sex, it can be caused, in addition to the course of pregnancy, menopause or menstruation. This is due to a change in the hormonal background in such periods. Symptoms can be eliminated or reduced by eating appropriate vitamin complexes and iron-rich foods.
Metallic taste medications
It may be due to the following drugs:
- Food supplements containing iron: Fenyuls, Aktiferrin, Maltofer, Ferpatum, Hemoheller.
- Means for the treatment of hypertension: "Serpazil", "Hexonium", "Pyrene", "Pentamine", "Berlipril"; “Capotiazide”, “Phenigidin”, “Enalapril”.
- Antiallergic drugs: Cetrin, Kvamatel, Diazolin, Claritin.
- Medicines to lower sugar levels: Metformin, Siofor, Maninil, Glibenkamid.
- Medicines to lower cholesterol: "Simvastatin", "Atorvastatin".
- Drugs to lower the production of hydrochloric acid: Omeprazole, Lansoprazole.
- Glucocorticoids: Dexamethasone, Prednisol.
- Contraceptives: Marvelon, Janine, Femoden, Yarina.
- Antibiotics: Doxycycline, Metronidazole, Augmentin, Levomycetin, Ampicillin, Tetracycline.
In addition, various dietary supplements and slimming products can cause a metallic taste in the mouth.
External factors as causes
If the taste of the metal appears in the mouth irregularly, then most likely it is caused by the following factors:
- Prolonged wearing of heavy items made of iron. Most often, this kind of metallic taste in the mouth in men.
- Work in hazardous production, which can include not only chemical laboratories, but also printing houses, enterprises for the extraction and processing of metals.
- Long-term dehydration.
- Lip or tongue piercing.
- The use of low-quality seafood (this reason can lead to severe toxicosis of the body, therefore, if there is suspicion that the described symptom appeared precisely for this reason, you need to urgently consult a doctor).
- Cooking with a pH below 7 in aluminum or cast-iron cookware - heating the products promotes the transition of metals into them.
- The use of tap water containing heavy metals, or its mineral variety with silver ions.
Causes of metallic taste in men’s mouth
Basically, those of same-sex people are the same. The representatives of the stronger sex have even less than those of women. There is no single classification by which the described symptoms could be subdivided. Most occupational poisoning occurs in men. Agronomists, welders, car mechanics, and printing workers are at risk.
The occurrence of certain diseases is also more characteristic of the stronger sex. For example, periodontitis is most often triggered by smoking, namely tobacco smoke, due to which plaque forms on the teeth, creating optimal conditions for the propagation of pathogenic microorganisms.
Addiction to alcoholic beverages is also more common in men. This can cause glossitis, resulting in a burning sensation in the mouth.
Men are also characterized by the appearance of the described symptom in the case of long wearing various bracelets or watches. Metal ions are able to penetrate the body through pores on the skin.
Proper nutrition
If the appearance of such a taste in the mouth is not associated with any pathology, then you need to adhere to certain nutrition rules:
- in the diet you need to include products containing vitamin B 12 , folic acid, iron;
- to refuse from bad habits;
- drink filtered water;
- exclude spicy, smoked and fried foods;
- prefer not to cook or eat food from aluminum utensils;
- do not cook acidic foods in cast-iron dishes, primarily fruit dishes made from acidic varieties.
Pregnant women can add ginger, karmadon, cinnamon to drinks. The rest is recommended to add avocado, tomatoes, lemon juice or garlic to the dishes as ingredients. The daily menu needs to be diversified by adding bran bread, liver, apples, greens.
Other ways to get rid
Also, in the absence of a connection between the metallic taste and various pathologies, deliverance can be achieved in the following ways:
- resorption of peppermint candies;
- replacement of dental prostheses from metal to ceramic;
- careful monitoring of oral hygiene, for which it is necessary to use various rinses, clean the tongue, use floss when brushing your teeth or brush;
- rinse your mouth with acidic water.
Appeal to the doctors
As mentioned earlier, if the described symptom is due to external causes, then it quickly passes after the elimination of the factor that causes it. It may be accompanied by:
- spotting;
- pus when coughing;
- drowsiness
- confusion of consciousness;
- dizziness and vomiting;
- nausea
- shortness of breath.
In such cases, seek medical attention. Thus, a trip to a specialist should be carried out with a metallic taste in women and men, accompanied by other symptoms.
Finally
Thus, the answer to the question of why there is a metallic taste in the mouth cannot be unambiguous. It can occur due to reasons other than diseases, in which case the symptom disappears after the elimination of the provoking factor, or it occurs due to a developing pathology. If there are no external reasons that may determine its appearance, you need to contact a therapist who can refer you to an ENT doctor, dentist, periodontist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist and other specialists for a consultation. For men, the appearance of this symptom with prolonged wearing of metal objects and abuse of bad habits is most characteristic, and for women, the onset of menstruation, pregnancy or menopause may become a trigger. Basically, for both those and others, the reasons are the same.