Mouth Diseases

Metal taste in mouth

01/27/2007 09:56PM

Question:

I have a heavy metal taste in my mouth. what could that be coming from

Answer:

There are multiple etiologies of metal taste or altered taste perception, so I would suggest you see your primary care dentist to discuss this problem. Basically, "metal taste" could be the result of the following:

1. New restoration - the problem of "galvanism" exists if 2 dissimilar metal approximate each other (ie.silver amalgam, and gold)

2. Recent viral infection or sinus infection

3. Recent use of antibiotics

4. Trauma (closed head injury) - neurological involvement

5. Xerostomia (loss of saliva)

6. Diabetes

7. Certain medications can be associated with taste disorders

8. GERD (Gastric Esophogeal Reflux Disease)

9. Malnutrition or eating disorders

As you can see there is a large list of possible causes of "metallic taste," and to sort this problem out requires your dentist to evaluate your current medications, and recent dental and medical history.

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Response by:

Richard J Jurevic, DDS, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
School of Dental Medicine
Case Western Reserve University