Metallic taste and excess saliva

Two of pregnancy’s lesser-known and stranger symptoms are a metallic taste in your mouth (called dysgeusia) and producing more saliva than usual (called ptyalism). Neither is harmful, both are more common than people expect, and there are simple ways to make them more bearable.

The metallic taste. Many people describe a persistent taste like sucking on a coin, or a sour or just “off” taste, often strongest in the first trimester. It’s thought to be down to pregnancy hormones affecting your taste and smell, and it can put you off foods you normally love. It’s harmless, if annoying, and usually fades as the first trimester passes.

Easing the metallic taste. A few things can help cut through it:

• Tart and citrus flavours — lemon water, citrus fruits, or a squeeze of lime can freshen your mouth (a splash of lemon in water is a favourite).
• Sugar-free gum or mints to keep your mouth fresh.
• Good oral hygiene — brushing your teeth and gently brushing your tongue, and rinsing with a little salt water or a mild mouthwash.
• Cold or acidic foods — sometimes easier than rich or bland ones while the taste lingers.

Excess saliva. Some people, especially early on and often alongside nausea, find their mouth constantly watering and produce so much saliva they’re forever swallowing or spitting. It’s most common in those with a lot of morning sickness, and it tends to settle as nausea eases. It’s harmless, though it can feel unpleasant.

Managing extra saliva. Small measures help: sip water often, chew sugar-free gum or suck mints or ice, eat small frequent meals, brush your teeth and use mouthwash regularly, and keep tissues or something to spit into handy if you need to. It won’t stop it entirely, but it makes it easier to live with.

Look after your teeth. Both symptoms make oral care extra worthwhile — and if you’re being sick, rinse with water rather than brushing straight after, then brush a little later to protect your enamel. There’s a separate guide on dental care in pregnancy if you’d like more.

When to mention it. These symptoms are harmless, but see your GP or midwife if excess saliva comes with severe vomiting and you can’t keep fluids down (which can point to a more serious form of pregnancy sickness needing treatment), or if a taste change is severe enough to stop you eating properly. Otherwise, there’s no need to worry.

A metallic taste and a watery mouth are just two more of pregnancy’s odd, harmless quirks that mostly belong to the queasy early weeks and fade with time. Freshen up with citrus and gum, keep up your oral care, and know it’s all very normal — even if no one warned you about the coin-in-the-mouth feeling.