An unpleasant taste is one symptom of gum disease, which begins as an infection of the gums that can eventually cause your teeth to fall out. Some patients describe the taste as bitter, metallic, or sour. You may find that it goes away after you brush your teeth, but only for a few hours before it returns.
Symptoms of Gingivitis may include: Swollen or bleeding gums. Bad breath or a metallic taste in the mouth.
Periodontal disease is known to cause a metallic taste in the mouth, along with halitosis and other unpleasant side effects of bacteria directly attacking gingival and periodontal tissues. In fact, patients with periodontal disease are tasting decay, which you can sometimes perceive to be metallic.
Gingivitis can cause your breath to smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. This is because of the bacteria in your mouth releasing chemicals that smells like these things. If you have gingivitis, you may also notice that your gingiva, or gums, are red and swollen. You may also bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.
Signs and symptoms of gingivitis include: Swollen or puffy gums. Dusky red or dark red gums. Gums that bleed easily when you brush or floss.
The damaging bacteria causing Periodontitis are called anaerobes; they have a distinct odor known in the dental industry as “perio breath.” Quite frankly, it smells like death because it sets up a chronic disease in which vital bone starts to die off.
Infection can cause a bad taste or breath
Whether it is pus draining into your mouth, or there is an infection in the gum or jawbone, you will also get a bad taste from that.
An unpleasant taste is one symptom of gum disease, which begins as an infection of the gums that can eventually cause your teeth to fall out. Some patients describe the taste as bitter, metallic, or sour. You may find that it goes away after you brush your teeth, but only for a few hours before it returns.
Gum disease
If you're experiencing a strange metallic taste in your mouth, chances are it's caused by gum disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly half of adults age 30 and older suffer from some form of gum disease¹.
Bad taste, also known as dysgeusia, is a common symptom of gastrointestinal reflux disease, salivary gland infection (parotitis), sinusitis, poor dental hygiene, and can even be the result of taking certain medicines.
If you have mild gingivitis, it can take weeks or even months for it to turn into periodontitis. However, if you have severe gingivitis, it can progress into periodontitis in as little as a few days. This is why it is so important to see a dentist as soon as you notice any symptoms of gingivitis.
As the condition worsens over time, you may develop: Bad breath that doesn't go away, even after brushing. Gums that bleed easily, particularly when you brush your teeth. Red, swollen gums.
Bad Breath
The bacteria that cause the infection also cause tissue rot and can smell over time. Since the infection is persistent, the smell is also persistent. If you try everything that you can to improve the smell, but it won't go away, then it is likely that you need treatment for Periodontal Disease.
You May Have Very Mild Gum Disease
It's possible that you have mild gum disease and bleeding no longer happens now that you've started taking extra care while brushing and flossing.
Symptoms of gum disease can affect various areas of the mouth. Gums may be red, swollen, tender, or bleeding. The gums may pull away from the teeth making them appear longer. Loose or sensitive teeth.
Gingivitis usually clears up after a thorough professional cleaning — as long as you continue good oral hygiene at home. Your dentist will help you plan an effective at-home program and a schedule of regular professional checkups and cleaning.
A persistently high fever, dizziness, lightheadedness, a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, confusion, and digestive problems are potential signs of sepsis and should be treated as a medical emergency.
Pain in your teeth, gum or jaw. Tooth sensitivity to hot or cold foods. Sore or bleeding gums. Swelling of the gums, jaw or lymph bodes.
Common causes of a metallic taste
gum disease. taking medicines, like metronidazole. cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. colds, sinus infections and other airway problems.
Warning signs
Bad breath or bad taste that won't go away. Red or swollen gums. Tender or bleeding gums. Painful chewing.
When you have a condition called perio breath, the disease in your gums may be causing foul odors in your mouth. It is possible to have perio breath and not even realize that you have it. It is also possible to recognize that you have it and try to mask it, but the truth is that perio breath can't be concealed.
Gingivitis is the first stage of gum disease, and can often be successfully reversed if diagnosed and treated quickly.