My mouth has a metallic taste, what should I do? Iron taste in the mouth in women: causes and methods of treatment

Everyone has felt a metallic taste in their mouth at least once. It appears suddenly and can disappear just as unexpectedly.

Sometimes this symptom appears in combination with others: bitterness in the tongue, increased viscosity of saliva, minor painful sensations in the throat or severe pain in the stomach.

Read about why women sometimes have a taste of iron in their mouths and how to get rid of it in our productive article.

Norm or pathology

The taste of metal in the mouth does not always indicate some serious abnormalities in a woman’s body, but its appearance cannot be called an absolute norm.

You need to pay special attention if such sensations appear more than once, but with some frequency.

The body can react this way external stimuli or signal the occurrence of diseases or non-pathological conditions (for example, pregnancy).

It should be taken into account what additional symptoms accompanied by the taste of iron that occurs in the mouth, and under what circumstances it appears.

This will help you understand the reasons for the strange taste sensation.

Factors associated with symptoms

Basically, the iron taste that occurs in a woman’s mouth is may appear for the following reasons:

  • poor quality water containing excess iron;
  • using aluminum and cast iron cookware in cooking, eating food from such cookware;
  • the presence in the mouth of dentures made of low-quality metal that reacts with saliva and drinks;
  • long-term use medications (iron supplements, antibiotics, proton pump inhibitors);
  • wearing metal objects on the body for a long time that come into contact with the skin, as a result, iron ions accumulate in the body;
  • the use of means for rapid weight loss, dietary supplements that rapidly remove water and beneficial microelements;
  • pregnancy;

These causes do not require serious medical intervention, but some of them need correction.

If the cause is medication, this situation should be discussed with your doctor.

The specialist may prescribe other medications or revise the dosage to eliminate the symptom.

Women obsessed with the idea of ​​losing weight quickly should be careful.

Various teas, capsules, and powders that promise instant results in weight loss provide this same result by removing fluid and beneficial micro- and macroelements from the body, including iron.

For such a rapid loss of life important element the body responds with reactions, the consequence of which will be those very metallic sensations on the tongue.

There are also pathological reasons metallic taste in the mouth associated with certain diseases or serious deviations from the norm:

  • diabetes mellitus;
  • diseases of the digestive system;
  • liver and/or gallbladder diseases;
  • respiratory diseases;
  • ENT infections;
  • anemia;
  • avitaminosis;
  • poisoning with heavy metals or their salts;
  • inflammation in the oral cavity, bleeding gums;
  • allergic reactions;
  • malignant tumors affecting the nervous system.

To reliably find out the cause of the metallic taste, you need to pay attention to the time and conditions in which this symptom appears.

If the aftertaste is felt after drinking water, then you need to take a closer look at its quality and the condition of the water supply pipes, which may have rusted and endowed the water with particles of this rust.

An iron taste that occurs in the morning or immediately after eating may indicate organ disease gastrointestinal tract or high blood glucose levels (diabetes mellitus).

If a metallic taste appears when you cough, possible reason may cause respiratory diseases.

The taste of metal on the tongue may also indicate pregnancy. Sometimes it becomes the first sign when expectant mother doesn’t even know about his interesting position yet.

Usually in this case, the taste of iron is associated with global hormonal changes in the female body or with, which often occurs during pregnancy.

About the causes of iron taste in the mouth in women in this video:

If the appearance of a taste is due to the presence of a disease, this will be indicated associated symptoms:

  • skin itching, decreased vision, constant feeling thirst in diabetes mellitus;
  • dryness and sore throat, dry cough, white coating on the tonsils with tonsillitis, pharyngitis;
  • pain in the stomach, belching, heartburn due to a stomach ulcer;
  • nausea, lack of appetite, weight loss due to liver diseases;
  • a feeling of bitterness in the mouth, pain in the right hypochondrium, alternating constipation and diarrhea in diseases of the gallbladder;
  • drowsiness, weakness, absent-mindedness, rapid heartbeat, pale skin, with anemia;
  • disorders of taste and smell, frequent migraines, pain in the neck, back and limbs, sleep, speech and coordination disorders due to malignant tumors nervous system.

Additional symptoms are sufficient reason to consult a doctor.

Delay and self-medication can cost a woman her health and sometimes her life.

How to help yourself

You can practice self-help only when the appearance of a metallic taste in your mouth is not a consequence of illness.

Many home remedies relieve the symptom temporarily, but do not address the cause itself. Recommended:

  • maintaining careful oral hygiene (regular brushing of the tongue and teeth, rinsing);
  • drinking enough fluids throughout the day;
  • eliminating factors that cause an unpleasant taste (refusal of aluminum and cast iron cookware, drinking purified water, changing water pipes, replacing dentures with better ones).

Rinsing with water and lemon or soda solution, drinking spiced tea, eating spiced food, simply chewing cardamom seeds.

If the symptom does not go away for a long time, you must definitely consult a doctor.

In what cases and what kind of medical assistance may be required?

If unpleasant symptom A woman has it all the time, but it’s impossible to identify its causes on her own; she’ll have to go to the doctor.

Timely diagnosis will prevent the development of many diseases and maintain health.

You need to see a therapist, who will conduct the initial examination, prescribe necessary tests, based on the results of which the cause of the metallic taste will become clear.

Treatment, if required, will depend on the disease causing the unpleasant symptom.

The doctor will prescribe the woman appropriate medications and give recommendations on correcting her diet and, in general, lifestyle.

Appearance unusual sensations, including a metallic taste in the mouth, occurs for various reasons and indicates serious diseases.

Therefore, you should never neglect visiting a doctor, timely diagnosis and treatment.

Dysgeusia is a condition where a person experiences a strange metallic taste in their mouth, which many describe as very bitter, unpleasant and similar to iron. This condition is often accompanied by vomiting.

Causes of a metallic taste in the mouth

This unpleasant taste can be very persistent. Even foods that you are used to eating every day can cause this metallic taste in your mouth. That is, no matter what you eat, you will feel bitterness. This can lead to loss of appetite as well as depression.

Why does my mouth have a metallic taste?

Some of the causes of bad taste in the mouth include:

  • acid reflux,
  • dehydration,
  • breathing through the mouth,
  • smoking,
  • dry mouth,
  • pregnancy,
  • diseases of the genital organs,
  • uncontrolled diabetes,
  • infections of the upper respiratory tract,
  • dementia,
  • side effect some medicines,
  • poor oral hygiene.

How to get rid of a bitter taste in your mouth

In most cases, metallic taste in the mouth can be successfully treated with home remedies and lifestyle changes.

However, if the problem becomes chronic, it is necessary to consult a doctor in order to identify the underlying disease that caused the metallic taste in the mouth and receive appropriate treatment.

Folk remedies to get rid of metallic taste in the mouth

1. Apple cider vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar is natural, rich nutrients a product that balances the pH in the mouth. It helps to alkalize as well as neutralize the acidic environment in the mouth and relieve metallic taste sensations.

Plus, its sour taste stimulates salivation, which in turn makes it easier to wash away the metallic taste in your mouth.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and drink it 2 times a day.

Also, use apple cider vinegar in salad dressings or for marinating pickles.

2. Baking soda.

The natural compound in baking soda helps regulate pH, thus preventing acid and alkalinity imbalance in the body. Baking soda effectively removes extra acid or metallic taste from your mouth. Baking soda is also effective in removing plaque and harmful bacteria in the oral cavity.

Mix ½ teaspoon baking soda in a glass warm water and rinse your mouth with this solution once a day.

Also, sprinkle baking soda on toothbrush, where you brush your teeth twice a day for several days to reduce the acidity in your mouth.

An unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth may develop into real problem– after all, it interferes with the normal taste of food and causes constant irritation. And if neither brushing your teeth nor chewing gum, then it’s worth thinking about – what’s wrong in your body?

Causes of a metallic taste in the mouth

A metallic taste in the mouth can be caused by the most for various reasons– from deteriorating environmental conditions or pregnancy, to heavy metal poisoning or development malignant tumors. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the regularity and intensity of the appearance of an unpleasant taste in the mouth, as well as the symptoms accompanying it.

If a metallic taste appears and disappears after short periods of time and with full physical health, the reasons for its appearance may be:

  • Drinking water with a lot of iron - if you don't have a water filter at home, and bad taste appears in the mouth after rinsing the mouth or drinking unboiled water, then it is worth checking the condition of the water pipes. An unpleasant taste in the mouth may appear due to the fact that old pipes have rusted and iron particles from their walls enter the water. Less commonly, an excess of iron ions in water is caused by an increased iron content in the soil; people sometimes “suffer” from this mineral waters. Checking the quality of water is quite simple - if there is a lot of iron in it, when it settles, it turns rusty or a dark sediment forms at the bottom;
  • Using low-quality cookware - if you cook food in an aluminum saucepan or frying pan with a poor-quality coating, when using high heat or cooking foods containing a lot of acid, some metal ions enter the food and can cause a metallic taste in the mouth;
  • Metal crowns or braces - over time metal crowns and the braces in the oral cavity may begin to oxidize, which is why a taste appears in the mouth;
  • Use of medications – long-term use of tetracycline, metranidozole, lansporazor, antihistamines and some vitamins may cause a metallic taste in the mouth;
  • Eating low-quality seafood – if you have an unpleasant taste in your mouth after a seafood dinner, you may have come across stale fish, oysters or shrimp. Sometimes such poisonings are quite serious and the patient requires immediate medical attention.

These reasons for the appearance of a metallic taste in the mouth can be considered universal and independent of the gender or age of a person, but there are also more specific reasons for such manifestations.

    In women:
  • pregnancy - a metallic taste in the mouth that appears during pregnancy most often signals a lack of iron, vitamins or other microelements in the body. Sometimes such a taste occurs even when a woman is completely physically well due to hormonal imbalances and changes in the functioning of taste buds;
  • uncontrolled use of dietary supplements or drugs for weight loss - exceeding the recommended dose of vitamins, dietary supplements or taking uncertified drugs for weight loss can also cause poisoning of the body, one of the symptoms of which will be a metallic taste in the mouth;
  • long-term dehydration - sometimes women, in order to lose weight or get rid of edema, reduce the amount of fluid they consume, which is why they develop dehydration, manifested by dry mouth, dizziness, weakness and a metallic taste in the mouth.

In men:

  • long-term wearing of metal watches, bracelets or other massive jewelry - with constant contact of the skin with metal, metal ions may penetrate into the body, the excess of which causes the appearance of a metallic taste;
  • occupational hazards – working with heavy metals in production or mining can cause a metallic taste in the mouth, in the absence of other signs of the disease.

In addition to the reasons described above, a metallic taste in the mouth may appear due to the following diseases:

  • Anemia– It is iron deficiency in the body that most often causes the appearance of an iron taste in the mouth. Iron deficiency occurs in approximately half of women of reproductive age, children during periods of active growth, and people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. With anemia, in addition to the taste of iron, the patient's performance decreases, weakness, headaches, dry skin and mucous membranes, brittle hair and nails appear.
  • Oral diseases– gingivitis, stomatitis, periodontitis, glossitis and even caries can cause an unpleasant taste in the mouth. In addition to the metallic taste, bleeding gums are usually a concern, increased sensitivity tooth enamel and bad breath.
  • Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract– gastritis, stomach ulcers with low acidity, diseases of the intestines, gall bladder and liver are often accompanied by belching, heartburn and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
  • ENT diseases– organs – chronic sinusitis, otitis, pharyngitis and sinusitis can also cause a metallic taste. If the disease cannot be treated traditional means, and in addition to the usual symptoms of the disease, the patient develops bad breath and a metallic taste in the mouth, it is necessary to exclude a fungal infection.
  • Diabetes mellitus– a strong iron taste that does not disappear for a long time can be caused by an increase in blood glucose concentrations. Therefore, if, in addition to an unpleasant aftertaste, the patient is bothered by weakness, severe thirst, excessive sweating, a sharp increase or decrease in weight, you need to urgently do a blood test to determine your blood sugar level.
  • Hypovitaminosis– a decrease in the concentration of B vitamins, vitamin C, E and some others, in addition to weakness, sleep disturbances, appetite and general deterioration, can also cause an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
  • Allergic reactions– sometimes, due to inflammation and swelling of the mucous membrane, taste buds stop working normally, which can result in changes in the taste of familiar dishes and the appearance of an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
  • Neurological disorders– any pathology of the central nervous system or peripheral nerves may lead to change taste sensations, including the development of an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
  • Neoplasms– in some cases, a metallic taste in the mouth becomes the first symptom of a tumor growing inside the body, to which the patient pays attention. With neoplasms, patients may experience weakness, loss of appetite, sudden weight loss, headaches and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
  • Heavy metal poisoning– sometimes a metallic taste in the mouth indicates a serious dysfunction that occurs when large amounts of arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, vanadium and other dangerous components enter the body. If, in addition to a metallic taste, you are experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, thirst, abdominal pain, vomiting, loss of consciousness, blurred vision or tremors, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. medical care. Poisoning with such substances can cause severe complications or even death of the patient.

Metallic taste in the mouth - what to do?

If a metallic taste appears in your mouth, you must find out what caused it. And for this you need not only to visit your doctor, but also to undergo a full examination to rule out pathologies internal organs or oral cavity.

But if the cause of the metallic taste is pregnancy, neurology or others, do not pathological conditions, you can try to get rid of it at home. To do this you need:

  • rinse your mouth more often with slightly acidified water or water with lemon juice;
  • pay more attention to oral hygiene and use dental floss after every meal;
  • drink tea with the addition of cinnamon, cardamom or ginger - all these spices can also be simply chewed in between meals;
  • add citrus fruits to your diet - oranges, tangerines, grapefruits and lemons will help refresh your mouth and get rid of the unpleasant taste for several hours;
  • replace metal utensils with high-quality ceramics or utensils with a special coating;
  • use only purified water for drinking and cooking;
  • from time to time, suck on mint candies and cough lozenges - mint candies or lollipops will help you quickly get rid of not only the taste, but also unpleasant odor from the mouth, but it is, of course, not recommended to abuse this remedy.

You will need

Instructions

A metallic taste in the mouth may occur due to low acidity. gastric juice. To normalize it, prepare the following composition. Pour half a liter of unrefined sunflower oil two medium-sized chopped heads of peeled garlic. After a day, add the juice of 2 lemons to the prepared mixture. After mixing everything thoroughly, place the jar with the contents in a dark place for a week. Take 10 ml of garlic oil three times a day, half an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 3 months. After your period, continue until complete recovery - the metallic taste will disappear.

A common cause of a metallic taste in the mouth is bleeding gums. First of all, you need to consult a dentist. The most common bleeding disorder is periodontal disease. Except medications and physical therapy prescribed by your doctor, try the treatment traditional medicine.

It is very effective to rinse with aqueous-alcoholic tincture of propolis (20 drops per 100 ml of water) or hydrogen peroxide with baking soda and lemon juice. Take ½ teaspoon of baking soda, add 7 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide and add 3-5 drops lemon juice, mix thoroughly. Apply the prepared mixture on and massage them index finger. Leave the composition in the mouth for 10-12 minutes. Then rinse your mouth warm water. The course of treatment is 14-21 days.

The feeling of metal in the mouth is given by mercury, arsenic, copper, but you rarely encounter these substances in everyday life. This type of poisoning of the body usually affects workers of chemical plants, specialized laboratories of plants and factories. If a metallic taste appears, it is recommended to call an ambulance. While waiting for her, you need to rinse your stomach and take pills activated carbon at the rate of 1 tablet per 10 kg of the victim’s weight. You can also drink milk.

In any case, a metallic taste in the mouth is an abnormal phenomenon and requires clarification of its causes. Therefore, you cannot do without consulting specialists - a dentist, a gastroenterologist, a therapist.

The taste of iron in the mouth, as if you had just licked a battery, is a rather unpleasant feeling that can appear sometimes or bother you constantly. In addition, many diseases of the digestive system can manifest themselves as such symptoms, so such a signal from the body cannot be ignored.

In this topic, we want to tell you why an iron taste appears in your mouth, what you need to do in this case, and which specialists you should contact. But first, let’s look at what taste is, how it is formed, and which organ is responsible for taste perception.

The tongue not only takes part in the formation of sounds, but is also responsible for the perception of taste. How does this happen?

There are more than two thousand taste buds on the tongue, which contain taste buds. The papillae of the tongue are distinguished by their shape, as well as by purpose. There are filiform, mushroom-shaped, leaf-shaped and grooved taste buds.

Various substances that enter oral cavity, and, accordingly, on the tongue, penetrating deep into the taste bud, irritating the nerve endings. The signal received by the receptor is sent to the brain, where, after processing, it provides information about the taste of the substance.

It should also be noted that different parts of the tongue are responsible for the perception of a certain taste: the tip is responsible for the perception of sweet taste, the middle part - sour, the edges of the tongue - salty and sour, and the root - bitter.

The taste depends on the following factors:

  • concentration of the main substance in food;
  • the area of ​​the tongue on which food has fallen;
  • food temperature.

An iron taste in the mouth is not always a consequence of any disease, since this is how the body can react to external irritants. It all depends on how often such a sensation occurs, what symptoms accompany it and in what situation it occurs.

An iron taste in the mouth may appear due to the following non-pathological factors:

  • mineral water enriched with iron ions. Such waters are prescribed for the treatment of iron deficiency conditions;
  • poor quality tap water. In an old plumbing system whose pipes are rusty, the water is saturated with iron ions;
  • metal dentures or implants. If a person who has metal dentures or implants eats acidic food or drinks an acidic drink, the iron ions will react with organic acids, which will cause an unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth. Also, a similar sensation may appear if dentures are made of different metals, which can also react with each other;
  • using aluminum or cast iron cookware when cooking. Organic acids of products enter into chemical reaction with ions of the metal from which the dishes are made;
  • presence of piercings on the tongue, lips. The metal from which the jewelry is made reacts with acidic foods or drinks, resulting in a metallic taste in the mouth;
  • poor oral hygiene. Plaque on the tongue, caries and tartar can also provoke a similar sensation;
  • massive body jewelry, watches and metal bracelets.

Metallic taste in the mouth during pregnancy

In women, a metallic taste is often observed during pregnancy, the appearance of which is explained by the following:

  • exacerbation chronic diseases;
  • iron deficiency;
  • lack of vitamins and microelements in the female body;
  • changes in the perception of taste receptors against the background hormonal changes body.

Most often, a metallic taste in women's mouth occurs due to hormonal changes. female body caused by pregnancy.

The appearance of such a taste in the mouth may be accompanied by attacks of nausea, especially early in the morning or when coming into contact with certain aromas or foods. Pregnant women may also notice changes in taste, increased sensitivity and enlarged mammary glands.

Other symptoms, such as abdominal pain, runny nose, cough, bitter taste in the mouth or sensory disturbances, may include in this case are missing.

The listed symptoms are considered normal in the first and second trimesters, but their appearance in the third trimester may be a sign of pathology. Therefore, if you are concerned about such symptoms, inform your gynecologist about this in order to rule out diseases or start treatment in time.

Metallic taste in the mouth in women who are in menopause

During menopause, significant hormonal changes occur in a woman’s body, which affect the activity of almost all organs and systems. Therefore, very often ladies complain of a constant or periodic taste of metal in their mouth.

Menopause can also provoke an exacerbation of chronic diseases, one of the symptoms of which is a metallic taste in the mouth. Also, similar sensations can be caused by anemia, which often appears during menopause.

Metallic taste in mouth during menstruation

For a few days and during menstruation hormonal background women also changes greatly, which can distort the receptivity of taste buds.

Metallic taste in men's mouths after running

Not only men, but also women, after intense running, especially over long distances, notice an unpleasant taste of metal in their mouths. This phenomenon can be explained by two reasons, namely:

  • due to excessive physical activity the capillaries of the upper respiratory tract and lungs are injured;
  • Due to strong physical activity, the capillaries of the gums can rupture, causing them to bleed.

Iron taste in the mouth as a symptom of illness

Often, a metallic taste in the mouth means that a substance has entered the body, which has led to its poisoning. Similar symptom may be accompanied by intoxication with mercury, lead, arsenic, copper or zinc.

Poisoning with the listed substances is most often observed in people working in industrial enterprises.

Persons who have been poisoned by one of the mentioned metals, in addition to an unpleasant taste in the mouth, will experience other signs of intoxication, for example, abdominal pain, dry mouth, thirst, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases even possible disturbance of consciousness.

If these symptoms appear, you should immediately run to the phone and call ambulance, since heavy metal poisoning threatens not only serious health consequences, but also death.

Also, the appearance of an iron taste in the mouth can be one of the manifestations of the following diseases:

  • periodontitis or gum inflammation. For of this disease also characterized by bleeding gums, thickening of saliva, bad breath, loose teeth;
  • anemia due to lack of iron, vitamin B12 or folic acid in the body. With anemia, patients also complain of general weakness, fatigue, perversion of taste, dryness and pallor skin, brittle hair and nails, bleeding gums, dizziness, palpitations and other symptoms.
  • liver diseases. Hepatitis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cystosis can provoke a metallic sensation in the mouth;
  • pathology of the biliary tract. Most often, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis and biliary dyskinesia lead to a metallic taste in the mouth. Patients may also experience pain in the right hypochondrium, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and other unpleasant symptoms;
  • diabetes mellitus The taste of metal in the mouth in diabetes mellitus is associated with the active breakdown of fats, resulting in the formation large number ketone bodies that penetrate the blood;
  • stomach diseases. Gastritis and peptic ulcer may cause a metallic taste in the mouth. In addition, there are symptoms such as pain in the epigastrium after eating or “hungry” pain in the stomach, flatulence, bowel dysfunction, nausea and vomiting;
  • inflammation of the tongue. This disease can be viral, bacterial, fungal, thermal or chemical in nature. Patients note pain in the tongue, changes in taste, increased salivation, redness and swelling of the tongue;
  • inflammation of the oral mucosa. It is characterized by the appearance of erosions, ulcers, aphthae or areas of necrosis on the oral mucosa, which occurs due to a bacterial, viral or fungal infection;
  • otolaryngological diseases. Most often, the taste of metal in the mouth is provoked by a fungal infection of the sinuses, larynx, throat or external auditory canal;
  • diseases of the central nervous system. Experts note that this symptom can often be observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease, brain cancer and multiple sclerosis. In addition to the taste of metal in the mouth, there will definitely be neurological symptoms(impaired swallowing, hand tremors, amnesia, memory loss, changes in motor coordination, etc.);
  • lung diseases. Inflammation, tuberculosis and lung cancer are diseases that can lead to unpleasant aftertaste metal in the mouth because coughing produces phlegm of different nature, which irritates the taste buds. These diseases are also accompanied by cough, symptoms of intoxication, hemoptysis and shortness of breath.

Metallic taste in the mouth as a side effect of drugs

There are a number of drugs that can cause a low-intensity or strong metallic taste in the mouth, namely:

  • antimicrobial drugs (Metrogyl, Tetracycline, Ornidazole and others;
  • glucocorticosteroid drugs (Prednisolone, Metipred, Prednisolone);
  • oral hormonal contraceptives(Yarina, Femoden, Zhannina);
  • antacid drugs (Omez, Nolpaza, Epicur);
  • cholesterol-lowering drugs (Atoris, Simvastatin);
  • antiallergic drugs (Suprastinex, Diazolin, Tavegil);
  • medicines for treatment diabetes mellitus(Glycon, Diaformin);
  • antihypertensive drugs (Enap, Ednit, Kaptopress);
  • biological supplements that are aimed at reducing body weight.

Thus, we have looked at what an iron taste in the mouth means and why it occurs. So if you're worried long time metallic taste in your mouth, do not hesitate to visit a specialist. First of all, you need to seek advice from a general practitioner or gastroenterologist, who, after comprehensive examination your body, determine the cause of this sensation and prescribe treatment. If necessary, the doctor will refer you to related specialists: an otolaryngologist, an endocrinologist, a neurologist, a dentist, etc.