Why do I taste metal?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
A metallic taste is usually harmless and has an everyday cause: gum disease, a medicine, a cold or sinus trouble, indigestion, or pregnancy - the NHS lists all of them. A changed sense of smell can do it too, because taste and smell work as one system. It often clears by itself once the cause is treated. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you run through the list.
What to do
- Brush, floss, and book a dental check-up: gum disease is the most common cause.
- Review your medicines with a pharmacist - but never stop a prescription on your own.
- Wait out the cold: taste returns once the sinus problem clears.
- See a GP if it lingers or has no obvious cause - those are the NHS's two check-it lines.
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