DEAR Dr. Fritz,
Please call me Aubrey. I don’t understand and I am starting to get concerned. I have this metallic taste in my mouth. What could be causing this? Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks.
Aubrey
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Dear Aubrey,
There are a lot of reasons why you have that metallic taste in your mouth. Here are some of the causes:
You are not flossing or brushing
If you don’t take care of your dental health, this can lead to gingivitis or periodontitis or a more severe condition known as acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis. These conditions can give you bad breath and a metallic taste in your mouth.
You have a problem with your sinuses
If your sinuses are clogged, this might affect your taste bud and give you that metallic taste.
You are taking prescription drugs
Antibiotics like tetracycline, the gout medication allopurinol, the psychiatric drug lithium, and some heart medications can make you feel that metallic taste.
You are taking vitamins
Multivitamins with heavy metals like zinc, iron, or copper can give you a metallic aftertaste. This goes the same way with prenatal vitamins, iron and calcium supplements, and cold remedies that have zinc in them.
You are having indigestion
If you have heartburn, or bloating, extra gas, reflux, which are symptoms of indigestion, this can impart a metallic flavor in your mouth.
Oops.. There’s more to talk about. But, we are running out of space, then, let me continue
this in my next issue. Until then!
Dr. Fritz
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(Dr. Fritz Legarde Espedilla is an aesthetic dermatologist and surgeon and a clinical sexologist. She is also trained in hypnotherapy and Medical Acupuncture. She has been in the broadcast media for more than a decade and has written a book based on her 15 year stint with her radio program, “Healthy is Sexy Secrets ni Dr. Fritz.” For your questions, you may e-mail them to dokfritz@yahoo.com. If you don?t wish your letter to be published, we regret that we cannot answer them. Thank you for your understanding.)