A metallic taste is not usually serious and can be a symptom of many different things. Treatment will depend on the cause.
Common causes of metallic taste
| Cause | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Gum disease | regularly brush your teeth, use dental floss, have a check-up at the dentist every 6 months |
| Taking medicine, like antibiotics | speak to a pharmacist for advice – don't stop taking prescribed medicine without medical advice |
| Cancer treatment, like chemotherapy or radiation therapy | eat stronger tasting food, like ginger, spices and boiled sweets |
| Colds, sinus infections and other airway problems | the taste should go away once the problem has cleared up |
| Indigestion | the taste should go away when you treat your indigestion |
| Being pregnant | 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: See a GP if:
- the metallic taste doesn't go away
- it has no obvious cause
Page last reviewed: 23 August 2017
Next review due: 23 August 2020