14 Things That Can Cause a Metallic Taste in Your Mouth

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“Dysgeusia is a change in the perception of taste one has due to a stimulus,” explains Barbara Bawer, MD, a family medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She says this altered taste is often metallic in nature—but it can also be sweet, sour, or salty. The Cleveland Clinic says that 17% of people experience this type of “metal mouth” at some point in their lives—and according to 2022 research published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), dysgeusia tends to affect women more often than men. 

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Poor oral hygiene

Poor dental health is one of the most common causes of having a metallic taste in your mouth, according to Dr. Bawer. Research has identified a few pathways behind this link. According to the JADA research, the bacteria in oral cavity infections—such as dental cavities that form from tooth decay—can cause changes in how your taste buds detect and identify taste. So, having a bad tooth can lead to the taste of metal in your mouth. 

The beginning stages of gum disease—such as gingivitis, or in more severe cases, periodontitis—are linked with metallic taste as well, says Isabel Garcia, DDS, Clinical Site Director for the Montefiore Health System in New York and a National Professional Trustee of the Hispanic Dental Association. Gum disease damages the soft tissue around your teeth, leading to bleeding gums that can trigger a metallic taste.

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Systemic conditions

According to the JADA research, metallic taste has been reported as a side effect of multiple systemic health conditions, including thyroid problems and diabetes. The research says that high blood sugar may cause a metallic taste due to how hyperglycemia induces nerve damage—so much so that past studies suggest dysgeusia could be an early sign of uncontrolled diabetes. Advanced liver problems can cause a metallic taste as well, possibly due to vitamin deficiencies associated with end-stage liver failure.  

It can also be a sign of chronic kidney disease. “Patients with severe kidney disease will have an excess production of ammonia in the saliva, causing a metallic taste in the mouth,” explains Lisa Lewis, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Bawer also says that metallic taste is a common symptom of Sjögren’s syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that affects your body’s ability to produce fluids like saliva and tears. 

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Medications and supplements

Certain medications are known to cause a metallic taste as a side effect, Dr. Bawer explains, including some antibiotics (such as metronidazole and tetracycline), blood pressure pills such as captopril, diabetes medications like metformin, and some psychiatric drugs, particularly lithium. 

Why? When the body ingests and absorbs medication, substances are released and excreted in the saliva that can leave behind a metallic taste, Dr. Lewis says. Dry mouth is a common side effect of common medications, too, which can cause a foul or metallic taste. (Dry mouth from dehydration can cause a metallic taste, too.) 

“Supplements like zinc, copper, and iron can commonly cause a metallic taste in the mouth [as well],” Dr. Bawer adds. 

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Congestion

The congestion and mucus associated with respiratory infections, allergies, or viral infections like a cold or flu may cause a metallic taste in your mouth. “In this situation, mucus from the nose and throat will be tasted on the tongue,” Dr. Lewis says. The JADA research says that inflammation from a bacterial or viral infection can also affect your taste bud cells, leaving behind a metal taste. 

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Covid-19

Dysgeusia—particularly in the absence of nasal blockages—has been identified as an early sign of Covid-19 (though experts say this symptom is less common among the more recent Covid strains). For some, this results in a metallic taste, and the JADA research points to a few possible causes: An increase in inflammation that obstructs taste receptors, central nervous system malfunction, infection of the cells in the tongue, or problems with our body’s zinc regulation. 

In rare cases, changes in taste persist once someone’s recovered from Covid—and in these cases, 55% of people report a lingering metallic taste, according to a 2024 review of literature published in Scientific Reports. 

A bitter, metallic taste is also one of the most common side effects of the antiviral Covid-19 medication Paxlovid—so common that it’s earned the name “Paxlovid mouth.” This is a normal side effect of the medication. Scientists have known for decades that ritonavir, one of the main active ingredients in Paxlovid, causes this metallic taste, and the dysgeusia subsides once you’ve completed your course of treatment. 

While very rare, there are some reports of people experiencing a metallic taste in their mouth immediately after receiving their Covid vaccine, according to a 2024 review published in the Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 

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Pregnancy

“Pregnancy can temporarily cause a metallic taste at times,” Dr. Bawer says. Research published in Nutrients points to changing hormones as a primary cause behind taste changes during pregnancy—but there are also other likely factors at play, such as changes in a woman’s endocrine and immune responses. However, dysgeusia typically subsides after the first trimester.

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Cancer treatments

In addition to nausea, a common complaint of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy is a metallic taste in the mouth. Up to 78 percent of cancer patients experience this phenomenon, according to a study published in Cancer Treatment Review.

Here’s why: Some bitter medicines injected into your bloodstream can also make their way into your saliva, causing metal mouth.

Vitamin deficiency

A zinc deficiency may cause a metallic taste, according to 2023 a review of studies published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism. The researchers found that almost 15% of people with a taste disorder have a zinc deficiency—and supplementation effectively treats it in this case. While the cause is unclear, zinc is important for normal functioning of our taste buds. 

Research published in 2024 in Human Nutrition & Metabolism also suggests that deficiencies in vitamin C and vitamin B12 can affect taste.

Gastrointestinal (GI) problems

Stomach issues like indigestion and acid reflux can cause a bad taste in your mouth. In particular, taste changes are common in people with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including reduced taste sensitivity, the presence of phantom tastes, or a lingering metallic sensation, according to research published in the Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. This is primarily due to the destruction of taste receptors from reflux of the stomach’s acidic gastric juices.

Stress

Some people report a metallic taste in their mouth when under stress, but the causes aren’t clear. Similar to how pregnancy hormones affect taste, past research has established that stress hormones trigger taste disturbances. In particular, according to research published in The Journal of Neuroscience, stress hormones can cause an increased sensitivity to bitter tastes, possibly explaining why some people taste metal when under stress.

Other research shows that stress and anxiety can trigger dry mouth, which is associated with a lingering bitter, metallic taste. Studies also show that elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol contribute to gum disease, which is linked to metallic taste. 

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Pine nuts

Pine nut syndrome, or “pine mouth,” is an uncommon type of dysgeusia that causes a metallic taste within about two days after eating pine nuts—and this taste can linger for up to a month later. A study published in Nutrition Research says that this doesn’t mean you have an allergy to pine nuts, but it’s likely a genetic trait, similar to how cilantro causes a soap-like aftertaste for some people.

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Chemical exposure

Inhaling chemicals like lead and mercury can trigger a metallic taste in your mouth, Dr. Bawers says. There are other, more serious symptoms of lead or mercury poisoning, such as joint and muscle pain, neurological issues, dizziness, coordination problems, and breathing difficulties—but this drastic taste change can be an early warning sign of potential poisoning. Make sure you seek medical help if you suspect you’ve been exposed to heavy metals or metal fumes. 

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Neurological disorders

According to the 2022 JADA research, metallic taste is often reported in people with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, Bell’s palsy, multiple sclerosis, and seizure disorders. This is because these disorders affect your nervous system, which helps relay sights, smells, tastes, and sounds to your brain. 

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Ear surgery

A metallic taste after ear surgery is a common side effect, generally due to damage to a nerve called the chorda tympani during surgery, according to 2023 research published in PLOS One. This effect may be permanent depending on the extent of nerve injury, studies indicate that most people regain their normal sense of taste within about six months post-surgery. However, if the metallic taste doesn’t go away on its own, 2022 research published in Current Otorhinolaryngology Reports suggests that certain antidepressant medications, including amitriptyline, valproate, and gabapentin, may help treat the dysgeusia. 

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How do I get rid of the taste of metal in my mouth?

“Treating the underlying cause is the key,” Dr. Bawer says. For instance, if you have a cold, the metallic taste should resolve after ten or fourteen days when your body fights off the illness. Or “If you have heartburn, change your diet and use medications to help treat it.” 

But if the metallic taste is lingering, she says to start by addressing some of the more common causes of metallic taste. “First, make sure to practice good oral hygiene and drink plenty of water.” You may also want to discontinue any supplements that may be causing your taste change—but if you’re on supplements for medical reasons, discuss the problem with your doctor before discontinuing use. The same advice goes for medications: If it’s causing a metallic taste, speak with your doctor as there may be alternatives available. But don’t stop taking doctor-prescribed medicine without approval. 

“You can also chew or suck on ice or chew sugar-free gum to keep the mouth hydrated,” Dr. Bawers says. “If you smoke, stop smoking, as this can make metallic taste worse.” 

There are rare cases where a metallic taste in your mouth occurs without a known cause. “You may need treatment with a medication in the group called benzodiazepines—but this is typically as a last resort when fixing the underlying cause has not resolved the taste alteration.”

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When should I worry about the taste of metal in my mouth?

Dr. Bawer says to reach out to your doctor if:

• The metallic taste does not improve after discontinuing typical supplements or medications.
• You’re keeping your mouth hydrated and practicing good oral hygiene.
• You don’t have any known infections (or it’s been more than two weeks since you recovered from an infection).

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