Find out here what causes that strange metallic taste in your mouth during pregnancy. Also, get some home remedies and tips to get rid of this unpleasant condition called dysgeusia.
Pregnancy not only brings with it great joy and ecstasy, but also some dramatic physical and emotional changes. While morning sickness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, and mood swings are common during pregnancy, there are certain symptoms that occur only to some expectant women. Experiencing a strange metallic taste in mouth is one such uncommon symptom of pregnancy. Medically, this condition is referred to as dysgeusia, in which the sense of taste gets distorted. It’s not at all a serious issue and the metallic taste usually fades away with onset of second trimester. Nevertheless, this condition can make a pregnant woman quite uncomfortable during early stages of pregnancy. Luckily, there are some easy things an expectant woman can do to get rid of that sour metallic taste from mouth.
Before we look into some effective home remedies for dysgeusia, let’s have a look at what causes this condition during pregnancy.
Dysgeusia arises in the first trimester of pregnancy, in which the expecting mother experiences a lasting bitter metallic taste in mouth as if she’s chewing or sucking coins. And this taste persists even when the mouth is empty. The exact cause behind this strange condition has not yet been found. However, doctors and midwives have different theories regarding what causes a sour taste in month during pregnancy. Some of these widely-believed theories are given below.
What causes a bitter metallic taste in mouth during pregnancy?
Foods with vinegar
Even though vinegar itself is acidic, it can be of great help to relieve the sour metallic taste from your mouth. It does so by increasing the saliva production and washing away the bad taste. So include foods soaked in vinegar like pickles, olives, gherkins, chutneys and sauces in your meal and get rid of that unpleasant taste.
Use baking soda and salt
Mix toothpaste, baking soda and salt to make a paste, and then brush your teeth with it after every meal or whenever your mouth taste unpleasant. You can also create a solution by mixing a tsp of salt and a pinch of baking soda with water. Gargle and rinse your mouth using this solution few times a day until that flinty taste goes away.
Eat citrus fruits
Just like vinegar, citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, grapefruit, pineapple and kiwi-fruit can also help nullify the strange metallic taste by stimulating your salivary glands. So whenever you experience a sour taste in your mouth, just grab a lemon or an orange and have it as a snack. Not only they are helpful in eliminating the bad taste, but also are highly nutritious with lots of vitamins and minerals.
Rub garlic on your tongue
Rubbing a clove of garlic directly on your tongue is also a good option to get rid of the metallic taste. The strong taste of garlic will actually bring back your taste buds to normal. Plus, it will kill all the bacteria causing the bad taste in your mouth.
Drink plain water
Drinking plenty of water all through the day is one of the best remedies for dysgeusia. It can effectively eliminate the bad metallic taste by flushing out all dirt and toxins present in your mouth.
Some other useful tips:
Pregnancy not only brings with it great joy and ecstasy, but also some dramatic physical and emotional changes. While morning sickness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, and mood swings are common during pregnancy, there are certain symptoms that occur only to some expectant women. Experiencing a strange metallic taste in mouth is one such uncommon symptom of pregnancy. Medically, this condition is referred to as dysgeusia, in which the sense of taste gets distorted. It’s not at all a serious issue and the metallic taste usually fades away with onset of second trimester. Nevertheless, this condition can make a pregnant woman quite uncomfortable during early stages of pregnancy. Luckily, there are some easy things an expectant woman can do to get rid of that sour metallic taste from mouth.
Dysgeusia arises in the first trimester of pregnancy, in which the expecting mother experiences a lasting bitter metallic taste in mouth as if she’s chewing or sucking coins. And this taste persists even when the mouth is empty. The exact cause behind this strange condition has not yet been found. However, doctors and midwives have different theories regarding what causes a sour taste in month during pregnancy. Some of these widely-believed theories are given below.
What causes a bitter metallic taste in mouth during pregnancy?
- This condition most likely happens due to extreme fluctuations in hormone levels. Throughout pregnancy, the level of oestrogen hormone varies dramatically and this particular hormone is believed to control the sense of taste and smell in humans.
- One possible cause for dysgeusia can be the strong connection between smell and taste. It is quite common for pregnant women to develop a heightened sense of smell. This in turn affects the sense of taste and leads to the metallic taste in the mouth.
- Dysgeusia can also be caused due to water retention. This common problem during pregnancy can occur in any and all parts of the body including the taste buds.
- Another theory says that this condition serves as a protective mechanism to ensure that an expectant woman consumes sufficient trace elements of sodium, calcium and iron.
- Some doctors believe that dysgeusia is caused due to toxins that are produced by lymph glands in the body. These toxins are released to protect the fetus from side effects of different medications.
- While, according to some women, the prenatal vitamins and antibiotics that they take are responsible for this condition. Certain medications indeed leave a metallic taste in one’s mouth.
Foods with vinegar
Even though vinegar itself is acidic, it can be of great help to relieve the sour metallic taste from your mouth. It does so by increasing the saliva production and washing away the bad taste. So include foods soaked in vinegar like pickles, olives, gherkins, chutneys and sauces in your meal and get rid of that unpleasant taste.
Use baking soda and salt
Mix toothpaste, baking soda and salt to make a paste, and then brush your teeth with it after every meal or whenever your mouth taste unpleasant. You can also create a solution by mixing a tsp of salt and a pinch of baking soda with water. Gargle and rinse your mouth using this solution few times a day until that flinty taste goes away.
Eat citrus fruits
Just like vinegar, citrus fruits such as lemons, oranges, grapefruit, pineapple and kiwi-fruit can also help nullify the strange metallic taste by stimulating your salivary glands. So whenever you experience a sour taste in your mouth, just grab a lemon or an orange and have it as a snack. Not only they are helpful in eliminating the bad taste, but also are highly nutritious with lots of vitamins and minerals.
Rub garlic on your tongue
Rubbing a clove of garlic directly on your tongue is also a good option to get rid of the metallic taste. The strong taste of garlic will actually bring back your taste buds to normal. Plus, it will kill all the bacteria causing the bad taste in your mouth.
Drink plain water
Drinking plenty of water all through the day is one of the best remedies for dysgeusia. It can effectively eliminate the bad metallic taste by flushing out all dirt and toxins present in your mouth.
Some other useful tips:
- Brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. It is advisable to brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Try using mint-flavored toothpaste to get rid of the bad taste
- Rinse your mouth with a good mouthwash every time you consume something
- You can even make your own mouth wash by dissolving salt in warm water (1/4 tsp salt in 1 cup of water)
- Be sure to floss your teeth everyday
- Have ginger-flavored foods and drinks
- Chew fresh mint leaves or a sugar-free gum
- Spicy foods can be of great help to clean up your taste buds and eliminate that metallic tang
- Condiments like cinnamon and cloves can also help alleviate the bitter taste. Chew them or simply put them in your mouth, but make sure that you use them only in small amounts
- Avoid seafood and bitter-tasting foods
- Avoid using wares made up of metals
- Consult your doctor; he/she may give you a different prenatal vitamin or antibiotic
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