Metallic Taste in Mouth During Pregnancy

One of the symptoms of pregnancy, which many people are unaware of is ‘metallic taste in the mouth’. During pregnancy, a lot of hormonal changes take place, which are responsible for several changes in your body and overall health. A metallic and unpleasant taste in the mouth, usually takes place in the first trimester of the pregnancy. Along with alteration in the sense of taste, nausea and fatigue are common, which may further affect the taste buds

Causes of Metallic Taste During Pregnancy

• During pregnancy, the levels of estrogen and progesterone goes high to maintain the growing baby. But at the same time, these hormones may be responsible for the taste changes in your month. Because your body is not used to an influx of these hormones, certain symptomatic changes do take place and taste alteration is one of them.
• Another common concern during this phase is ‘morning sickness’, which may cause changes in the sense of taste as well as smell.
• Taking vitamin supplements and prescription drugs or medications can also cause taste alteration during pregnancy.
• In some cases, not maintaining proper oral hygiene can lead to accumulation of toxins and bacteria on the teeth and tongue and clog the taste buds.

Certain medical conditions can also cause dysgeusia, these include:

• Liver or kidney diseases
• Gingivitis; inflammation of the gums
• Diabetes mellitus
• Cold, flu and infections

Signs and Symptoms Associated with Metallic taste during pregnancy

Signs and symptoms are different for every pregnant woman. They may experience different taste changes, which may include:

• Metallic
• Rancid
• Burnt
• Salty
• Foul

During pregnancy, women develop a more acute sense of smell. As smell and taste are connected, certain strong or unpleasant smell may increase the metallic taste in the mouth.

Tips to Prevent & Get Rid of metallic Taste in Pregnancy:

• Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated. By doing so, a lot of toxins get flushed out of the body, which could be the main reason behind such an unpleasant taste.
• Brush your teeth twice a day. Use a minty flavored toothpaste for a refreshing effect.
• Floss your teeth every day. Gargle your mouth after each meal. Gargling helps in removal of the food particles, which get stuck in the teeth.
• Brush your tongue or use a tongue-cleaner. Your taste buds get clogged due to an overload of toxins. Brushing your tongue will activate the taste buds.
• Change your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.
• Chewing sugarless gum is useful. It increases the production of saliva in the mouth and promotes the removal of bacteria.
• Eating citrus fruits like orange, kiwi, sweet lime and grapefruit may help.
• Drinking lemon-water will keep your oral cavity fresh and it reduces taste alteration too.
• A home-made mouthwash made with salt and lukewarm water reduces the load of toxins and bacteria and improves taste sensation. You can even sprinkle some salt on your toothbrush
• Snack on some crackers. This reduces a feeling of nausea as well as taste alteration.
• Eating ice chips and popsicles is an effortless way to dull metallic taste in the mouth.
• If metallic taste is due to gastritis and acid reflux, having a cup of green tea will help. Green tea possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces inflammation and stomach pain. Once the underlying cause is treated, metallic taste automatically disappears. Choose mint flavored green tea over other flavors for an extra-refreshing effect.
• Chewing few mint leaves has a beneficial effect.