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What Causes Metallic Taste In The Mouth While On Steroids?
Question: Hello Dr. XXXXXXX I recently had a dental procedure that involved my dentist injecting my lower left jaw with Novocain. While administering the shot he hit a nerve and my whole body jumped. It felt like an electronic shock. The next day I could still not taste anything on the left side of my tongue and my gums were still a bit numb. I called him and he prescribed me steroids. I completed the 6 day regimen of the steroids but now it's been a month now and I still can't taste anything on the left side of my tongue, the gums are still a bit numb and there's a slight metallic taste. What should I do?
Brief Answer:
May take up to 12 weeks to recover
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
This is not uncommon complication of the procedure but luckily this is just permanent symptom and should improve over the time. Recovery may take even up to 12 weeks however if there is no any improvement with taste then hypoglossal nerve may be damaged significantly and you should do MRI scan to verify this. wish you good health. Regards
May take up to 12 weeks to recover
Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome.
This is not uncommon complication of the procedure but luckily this is just permanent symptom and should improve over the time. Recovery may take even up to 12 weeks however if there is no any improvement with taste then hypoglossal nerve may be damaged significantly and you should do MRI scan to verify this. wish you good health. Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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