Common Causes: Side effect or Infection?

Metallic Taste in the Mouth

Metallic Taste in Mouth
You take a sip of your morning coffee and it tastes like you’ve licked a 20-cent coin. You brush, you rinse, and it’s still there. What’s going on?A metallic taste in the mouth is more common than most people think. Dentists and doctors call it dysgeusia, which just means your sense of taste is a bit off. In most cases it’s not serious and it goes away on its own. But because your mouth is where the taste is happening, it’s often a dentist who can spot the cause fastest.

Here’s a plain-English rundown of the usual suspects, what you can do at home, and when it’s worth booking in.

  • Most common dental causes: gum disease, bleeding gums, a tooth or gum infection, dry mouth.
  • Most common non-dental causes: medications, supplements (iron, zinc, multivitamins), colds and sinus infections, pregnancy.
  • Usually not serious, but if it sticks around for more than a couple of weeks, or comes with swelling, pain or bleeding, get it checked.
  • Start with your dentist if your gums bleed, your breath is bad, a tooth hurts or the taste started after dental work. Start with your GP if none of that applies.

Why does my mouth taste like metal?

A metallic taste in your mouth (dysgeusia) can stem from dental issues, medication, or temporary health changes. Here are the 8 most common reasons:

01

Gum Disease & Bleeding Gums

The #1 cause we rule out. Inflamed (gingivitis) or infected (periodontitis) gums bleed easily. Blood contains iron, which directly causes a metallic taste. Early gum disease is completely treatable with a professional check-up and clean.
Read more about gum disease & gingivitis →

02

A Tooth or Gum Infection

Abscesses, wisdom tooth infections, or leaks under old fillings can discharge fluid that tastes foul or metallic. Infections don’t self-heal and require prompt care. The potential treatment may involve:

Root canal treatment →
Wisdom teeth →

03

Dry Mouth

Saliva washes away bacteria and preserves normal taste perception. A lack of saliva distorts flavors and allows a metallic or bitter taste to settle in.

Teeth grinding & dry mouth →

04

Recent Dental Work

If you just had extractions or deep cleans, it may be normal to have the taste for 1-2 days after due to minor healing. If a taste persists weeks after a new filling, crown, or braces, please go to dentist for a check.

Dental Fillings →
Dental Crowns →
Dental Braces →

05

Medications & Supplements

The most common non-dental cause is medications or supplements. Antibiotics, blood pressure medicine, lithium, antihistamines, iron tablets, zinc, and prenatal vitamins can all alter saliva taste.

06

Colds, Flu & Sinus Infections

Taste and smell are tightly linked with something like colds and flu. Blocked sinuses distort flavor profiles, creating a temporary metallic tang that clears up as you recover.

07

Pregnancy

Hormonal shifts in the first trimester frequently cause dysgeusia. Hormones also increase gum sensitivity and bleeding, making dental cleans essential.

08

Other Health Conditions

Uncontrolled diabetes, reflux, liver/kidney issues, or chemical exposure can be factors.

choosing between dentist and gp

Dentist or doctor – who should I see first for metallic taste in mouth?

See your dentist first if… See your GP first if…
Your gums bleed when you brush or floss You have no gum or tooth symptoms at all
You have bad breath that won’t go away You’ve recently started a new medication
A tooth is sore, sensitive or swollen You’re pregnant
You have a dry mouth You have other symptoms like fatigue, weight change, heartburn
The taste started after dental work You have a known condition like diabetes or kidney disease
You can’t remember your last check-up The taste came on suddenly with weakness or confusion

If you’re not sure, start with the dentist. If it’s not a dental issue, we’ll tell you and point you in the right direction.

lady in dental chair

What happens at the appointment

It will be very staright foward. At MC Dental, we’ll:

  1. Ask about your health and medications – often the answer is in the list.
  2. Check your teeth, gums and tongue for signs of inflammation, infection or decay.
  3. Measure your gum pockets to pick up gum disease you can’t see or feel.
  4. Look at your saliva – dry mouth is a big contributor to taste changes.
  5. Take an X-ray if needed to rule out a hidden infection.

If we find a dental cause, we’ll fix it. If we don’t, you’ll leave knowing it’s not your teeth, which narrows things down for your GP.

New to MC Dental? Our $239 new patient offer covers a comprehensive exam, clean and X-rays. Just book online or call our friendly staff who will help you out.

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT

brush teeth carefully twice a day

Things you can try at home to help metallic taste in mouth

These won’t fix an infection or gum disease, but they can take the edge off while you sort out the cause:

  • Brush twice a day, floss once a day, and brush your tongue. Bacteria on the tongue add to “off” tastes.
  • Drink water regularly to keep your mouth moist.
  • Rinse before meals with a pinch of salt or bicarb soda in warm water.
  • Chew sugar-free gum to get saliva flowing.
  • Swap metal cutlery and water bottles for glass, ceramic or plastic for a while.
  • Cut back on smoking. It dulls taste buds and makes the problem worse.
  • Try tart or sweet flavours – a squeeze of lemon or lime can mask a metallic taste.

Book a check-up at any of our 6 Melbourne clinics

A metallic taste is your mouth’s way of telling you something. Nine times out of ten it’s minor and fixable. Let’s find out which one it is.

Book online below or call 03 8608 8968. Open 7 days, including public holidays.*

Book Your Appointment

 

Clinics in Melbourne Central, Docklands, Glen Waverley, Westfield Doncaster, Highpoint, and Brighton. (*Brighton clinic open 6 days.)

Have another question? See our FAQs.

FAQ – Metallic Taste in Mouth

How long does a metallic taste last?

It depends on what’s causing it. A cold or other infection may cause a temporary change in taste that improves as you recover. If medication is the cause, the taste may continue while you’re taking it. Dental problems such as gum disease or an oral infection can also cause a metallic or unpleasant taste, which is unlikely to fully improve until the underlying problem is treated.

Can stress cause a metallic taste?

Stress isn’t usually a direct cause of a metallic taste, but it can contribute to things that affect your mouth, such as dry mouth, teeth grinding or changes in your usual oral hygiene routine. These may sometimes affect your taste or leave an unpleasant taste in your mouth.

Is a metallic taste a sign of COVID?

Changes in taste and smell, including an unusual or metallic taste, can occur with COVID-19 and other viral infections. For most people, these changes improve as the infection clears, although taste changes can sometimes last for several weeks or longer.

Can a filling cause a metallic taste?

It’s possible, although it’s not common. If you notice a persistent metallic taste after having a filling, crown or other dental treatment, especially if it is accompanied by tooth sensitivity, pain or an unusual sensation, it’s worth having your dentist have a look.

When should I worry about a metallic taste?

A metallic taste is usually not an emergency on its own. However, seek urgent medical attention if it occurs with symptoms such as swelling of the lips or throat, difficulty breathing, hives, sudden weakness or confusion.

If the taste persists or keeps coming back, particularly if you also have bleeding or swollen gums, tooth pain, bad breath or other changes in your mouth, book a dental check-up to help identify the cause.