Dentures remain a popular way to rebuild your grin after suffering tooth loss because they restore so much of your ability to speak and eat more efficiently. However, some patients report that they experience a certain loss of taste when wearing their prosthetics, especially if they’re new.
It’s natural to wonder what causes this and whether there’s anything you can do. Continue reading to learn more about 3 potential reasons for fluctuating flavors while eating with dentures!
Cause #1: Aging Naturally
Although many younger adults need to replace missing teeth, it’s more common for seniors to need prosthetics. In fact, in the U.S., adults 65 years or older are 5.3 times more likely to have complete tooth loss- but that’s not the only way aging impacts your mouth! Unfortunately, research shows that flavor sensitivity is 49 times lower in elderly individuals than in youths.
This change in perception isn’t even across the board, however. Your sense of some foods and spices might be reduced by half, while others lose 1/9th of their strength. As a result, you might lean towards overly salty or sweet ingredients that will please your tastebuds but can harm your teeth. Salt and sugar attract bacteria that contribute to tooth decay and gum disease, so you should try to limit your intake.
Cause #2: Full Coverage
Those who have only lost one or a few teeth might retain more of their sense of taste than those with full dentures because less of their palate is covered. On average, the human mouth is covered with 10,000 taste buds responsible for detecting your food’s myriad of flavors. Many of these receptors are located on the roof of your mouth.
If you’re wearing a complete set of dentures, the acrylic base covers a large portion of this surface area. You might notice some loss of taste initially, but things might return to normal once you’ve fully adjusted to wearing your artificial teeth all day.
Cause #3: Using Adhesives
Your sense of taste with dentures might also suffer if you use adhesives to keep them in place. Your restoration was built from scratch to fit your mouth like a glove, but it can become loose or ill-fitting over time. Adhesive creams, powders, and gels can help your prosthetics form a tighter bond against your gum tissue to remain in place.
It’s not uncommon for patients using denture glue to report a lingering metallic taste due to the product they’re using. This can interfere with your tastebuds, making it difficult to detect other flavors while you’re eating.
If you’re frustrated by a lack of flavor in your life, you can ask your dentist about alternative ways to restore your smile that won’t interfere with your sense of taste.
About the Author
Dr. Haiwen Zhang takes pride in helping people enhance their lives by improving their dental health. He graduated from Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC, then pursued his dental education from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Dental Medicine. Now, he’s a member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, so you know your teeth are in good hands. He takes the time to get to know patients so when a problem arises, he can quickly propose individualized solutions to meet your unique needs. Then, he utilizes state-of-the-art equipment in a welcoming environment to help you relax while providing accurate, long-lasting results. You can request a consultation on the website or call (505) 372-1121.