Metallic taste is a taste disorder known as dysgeusia. It is an abnormal or impaired sense of taste that is often described as persistent metallic, bitter, sour, or other bad taste in the mouth. Metallic taste can develop suddenly or over longer periods of time and can cause major effects on the taste of foods, leading to changes in appetite and eating habits.
People suffering from metallic taste may experience a decrease in their quality of life. Metallic taste can often cause poor nutrition, as it causes aversion to certain foods because food tastes unpleasant or different. This also often leads to people eating less or making poor nutrition choices.
To mask the unpleasant taste caused by dysgeusia, people choose to eat spicier, saltier, or overly sweet foods. As a result of this, sodium and sugar intake often increase and can lead to complications or cause additional health problems.
One study showed that some dysgeusia patients begin drinking more water. This can create a risk of polyuria, incontinence and higher risk of falls in the elderly.
Citrus fruits are juicy and refreshing. Citrus fruits, fruit juices, smoothies, or sorbets can help activate taste buds and eliminate altered taste. Additionally, adding orange, lemon or lime juice to foods can help disguise metallic taste in your mouth and make food more palatable.
Sprinkling a pinch of baking soda on your toothbrush or rinsing your mouth with a half teaspoon of baking soda and water is a natural remedy to treat dysgeusia. It works by helping to regulate the pH balance, neutralizes acid, and effectively reduces metallic taste.
Rinsing with salt water can reduce the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth and neutralize the acid that causes loss of tooth enamel. Saltwater rinse also plays a crucial role in maintaining oral hygiene. An improvement in oral hygiene can assist in reducing metallic taste. The most effective way to saltwater rinse is to stir one tablespoon of salt in one glass of lukewarm water. Rinse your mouth with this water 2 to 3 times in a day.
Acid reflux is one of the main causes of dysgeusia. Avoiding the following risk factors can help reduce chance of acid reflux and dysgeusia.
Chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free peppermint candies can help increase production of saliva in the mouth. This can aid in preventing taste disorders and assist in maintaining good oral hygiene.
Drinking 1-2 cups of green tea can help individuals suffering from dysgeusia. Green tea can reduce metallic taste by killing bacteria, reducing inflammation, and helping to increase oral hygiene. Green tea also contains catechins which helps combat metallic or bad taste in the mouth.
Metal cookware can leak while cooking and may cause a metallic taste in the mouth. Switching to non-metallic cookware, utensils, food storage containers, and dishes can help alleviate these issues.
Drinking enough water prevents dry mouth, a major cause of taste alteration. Drinking water also assists with flushing bacteria and toxins out of the body.
Maintaining good oral hygiene helps eliminate bacteria, a major cause of unpleasant taste in the mouth. Some useful methods of good oral hygiene include:
It can take days, weeks or even months for natural home remedies to work. For immediate symptomatic relief, try Metallic Taste Oral Rinse, MetaQil. It can be purchased over the counter and is the only product on the market designed specifically for metallic taste (dysgeusia) relief. MetaQil effectively alleviates any persistent unpleasant taste in your mouth right after use
MetaQil is the #1 solution for symptomatic relief of metallic taste. MetaQil’s scientifically designed formula alleviates metallic taste caused by chemotherapy, GERD, and a variety of medications. MetaQil gently cools the mouth and provides instant, long-lasting relief from metallic taste symptoms. It has a mild flavor and does not “sting” the mouth like an every-day mouthwash. Regular use of MetaQil can help patients return to healthy eating and adequate nutrient intake.
For best results, use approximately 5 ml (one teaspoon) of MetaQil®, rinse for 30 seconds, and spit out. MetaQil can be used on an as-needed basis. Use alone or after each time you brush your teeth
Important: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please consult your physician before using MetaQil. Do not use MetaQil if you are taking any medications that are contraindicated with the product. Please consult with your physician if you have any concerns regarding the use of this product. Keep out of reach of children.
For more information about MetaQil, click here.
