A metallic taste is not usually serious. It can be a symptom of many different things. Treatment will depend on the cause.
Common causes of metallic taste
| Cause | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Cause Gum disease | What you can do regularly brush your teeth, use dental floss, have a dental check-up every 6 months |
| Cause Taking medicine, like metronidazole | What you can do speak to a pharmacist for advice – do not stop taking your prescribed medicine without medical advice |
| Cause Cancer treatment, like chemotherapy or radiation therapy | What you can do eat stronger tasting food like ginger, spices and boiled sweets |
|
Cause
Colds, sinus infections and other airway problems |
What you can do the taste should go away once the problem has cleared up |
| Cause Indigestion | What you can do the taste should go away after treating indigestion |
| Cause Being pregnant | What you can do the taste is usually temporary and clears up by itself |
Sometimes a metallic taste can be linked to a problem with your sense of smell.
Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP if:
- the metallic taste does not go away
- the metallic taste has no obvious cause
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
