What is dysgeusia?
One of the more unusual symptoms of pregnancy can be a strange metallic taste in the mouth. When this first appears it can be an almost vague, unpleasant taste which is difficult to describe. But it is very real and is so common that it actually has a name – Dysgeusia. Some people refer to this by its sensation and just call it “metal mouth”.
When is it likely I’ll have a metallic taste in my mouth?
Dysgeusia commonly occurs in the first trimester and usually goes away as the pregnancy progresses. The taste or sensation is described as having a mouthful of loose change, or sucking on a hand rail. It can also present as a sour taste which permeates the taste of food and the mouth even when it is empty.
It’s an unfortunate case of bad timing that dysgeusia occurs just at the time when pregnancy nausea is more likely. As if dealing with a queasy stomach isn’t enough, having a foul metallic taste in the mouth can really top it off. For some women though, dealing successfully with the nausea really helps to improve the sensation in their mouth. For others, there seems to be no link and each is just as challenging, with or without the other symptom at the same time.
What causes dysgeusia?
- Dysgeusia is most commonly due to pregnancy hormones, especially estrogen. This is one of the female hormones which is particularly high during pregnancy. This hormone normally plays an important role in our perception of taste, food cravings and general enjoyment of food. Because the level of estrogen varies so much during pregnancy, the sense of taste can change along with it. This is why the taste of food when you’re pregnant can vary so much. One week something tastes delicious and the next, well, it’s something else entirely.
- Another cause for dysgeusia can be the connection between smell and taste. During pregnancy, it is common for women to develop a more acute sense of smell. The relationship between smell and taste is well known, but during pregnancy this can really be ramped up. If something smells particularly strong, unpleasant or just “off”, then chances are the metallic taste in your mouth will increase as well.
- Dysgeusia can also be caused by water retention. This occurs across all the body systems and the cells in the mouth are not immune, in particular the taste buds. There is a high concentration of taste buds in the mouth and these are particularly concentrated on the tongue.
- Some people believe that dysgeusia is a safeguard against pregnant women eating foods which could potentially harm her or the baby. This mechanism of being repelled by certain foods may account for dysgeusia, but it can still occur even when food isn’t being eaten and when foods are perfectly safe. Perhaps it is one of those unexplained mysteries.
- Another hypothesis is that dysgeusia serves as a protective mechanism to ensure a pregnant mother eats sufficient trace elements of calcium, sodium and iron.
- People who subscribe to a more natural cause for dysgeusia, claim it is produced by toxins which are produced the lymph glands of the body. This is due to their protective mechanism in ensuring the fetus is safeguarded from potential harm.
What can I do about it?
Dysgeusia can be hard to control and even harder to stop. It does tend to settle as pregnancy progresses, so with time you’re bound to feel some degree of ease. Generally there is a distinct improvement after the first trimester when hormones have settled and the body has simply adjusted to the pregnant state. However, some women find they have dysgeusia for their entire pregnancy, and just need to learn to live with it.
Foods and sauces which increase saliva flow generally help. The increase in saliva helps to “wash away” the sensation. But for women who are already find they’re producing too much saliva and are already irritated by this, then increasing it further may not appeal.
Some tips which have been found to be useful:
- Frequent tooth brushing with particularly minty flavored toothpaste.
- Brushing the tongue with a toothbrush.
- Flossing the teeth every day. Pay particular attention to the gum margins where food and bacteria collect.
- Using a mouthwash and gargling in-between tooth brushing. NB check with your pharmacist to ensure mouthwash is not potentially harmful to the baby, as many contain alcohol.
- Drinking glasses of plain water through the day, each with a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice.
- Sipping on ice cold water and ice chips may help. Try freezing some with lemon juice added or a little cordial or fruit juice.
- Citrus foods such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, pineapple and kiwi-fruit can be helpful.
- Vinegar soaked foods such as pickles, gherkins, olives, chutneys and sauces can also help.
- Salt and vinegar potato chips. But be careful about not having too many, they’re very morish!
- Green apples.
- Sour lollies such as Warheads or Sour Worms.
- Chewing sugarless gum.
- A mouth wash made up with warm water and salt can be beneficial.
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