Certain conditions that cause a metallic taste in your mouth will require immediate medical treatment. Sometimes, a metallic taste in your mouth can be indicative of poisoning and other serious health conditions. Other times, a metallic taste in your mouth can be successfully treated with home remedies. You will need to clearly identify the underlying condition causing the metallic taste in your mouth in order to successfully alleviate the condition.
Gastritis and Metallic Tastes
Gastritis may cause a metallic taste in your mouth; this disorder involves inflammation of your stomach lining. The condition can occur due to a possible infection, a stomach irritant, a problem with immunological functioning, or an overproduction of bile that backs up into your stomach. You will want to cease using alcohol and tobacco products since these will exacerbate gastritis. You will also want to avoid orange juice, citrus juices and other acidic beverages. If the condition is brought on by the H.pylori bacteria, foods with high flavanoid content like celery, cranberries, apples, garlic and onions can help diminish symptoms.
Herbal remedies for gastritis include the consumption of green tea extract; this herb has anti-inflammatory agents, is high in antioxidants, and can be consumed as a tea or in capsule form at a dosage of 250 to 500 milligrams per day until symptoms subside. Cat’s Claw can also be consumed at a dosage of 20 milligrams three times a day to diminish inflammation of the stomach lining. Peppermint enteric-coated tablets at a dosage of two to three tablets a day can help alleviate stomach ailments as well. Once the gastritis condition subsides, the metallic taste in your mouth should disappear.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Metallic Tastes
Gastroesophageal reflux disease occurs when stomach contents move into the esophagus and cause regurgitation. Symptoms include heartburn, a foul taste in your mouth, belching, coughing and wheezing. To treat the condition, avoid consuming heavy meals and drinking acidic beverages that can upset the stomach. Also, stop using alcohol and tobacco products, which can further serve to irritate your stomach lining. Herbal remedies used to treat gastritis can be used to treat this condition. You can also use turmeric at a dosage of 300 milligrams each day three times daily in order to reduce inflammation and stomach pain.
Post-Nasal Drip and Metallic Tastes
As post-nasal drip runs down the back of your throat, it can cause a foul metallic taste in your mouth and halitosis. To treat post-nasal drip caused by sinusitis, use eucalyptus oil for its natural antibacterial effects. Eucalyptus is a natural expectorant and 200 milligrams of eucalyptus extract can be used three times a day to diminish post-nasal drip and other symptoms associated with sinusitis. Peppermint can also be used to diminish cold symptoms, and it works well to thin out mucus. Adults can safely consume peppermint as a tea by steeping on teaspoon of the herb in hot water for 10 minutes. Four to five cups of the mix can be consumed each day to alleviate cold symptoms and post-nasal drip, and to help get rid of a metallic taste in your mouth.
When to See a Doctor
A metallic taste in your mouth can be caused by anchovy poisoning, bonefish poisoning or poisoning by cadmium, lead, disulfiram, glaze, selenium, thallium sulfate, vanadium, mercury or copper. Metal fume fever brought on by overexposure to aluminum, antimony, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, nickel, selenium, silver, tin or zinc can also create a foul taste in your mouth. If you have had contact with any of the latter materials, you will want to see a doctor to rule out poisoning. Other causes of a metallic taste in your mouth that require immediate treatment from a doctor include jaundice, insect bite allergies, food allergies and snake bites.
Dental caries and serious dental conditions like abscesses can also be the cause of a metallic taste in your mouth, and you should consult a qualified dentist for such conditions. Finally, some medications can be responsible for a metal taste in your mouth; if you are taking Dacarbazine, DTIC-Dome, Calcitriol, Calcijex or Rocaltrol, you might want to speak with your doctor about changing medications.
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Writer Bio
Robin Reichert is a certified nutrition consultant, certified personal trainer and professional writer. She has been studying health and fitness issues for more than 10 years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Science in natural health from Clayton College.