Dentures and Your Sense of Taste: What’s the Connection?

People change quite a bit as they age, in both the sense that biology adapts and preferences shift. In other words, the foods you like today are probably different from what you liked when you were seven! So if culinary delights have been tasting a little off lately, you might have just assumed that you’re going through another normal part of aging.

While that could be the case, dentures can impact your sense of taste more than you might think. Keep reading to learn how and what you can do to mitigate distorted flavors.

Isn’t Taste Related to The Tongue, Not Teeth?

Human tongues do have about 10,000 taste buds, so your tongue is certainly an important instrument in flavor detection! However, your sense of smell also affects the way things taste, and there are more taste buds along your upper palate, throat, and cheeks. These “smaller” areas see more interaction with your dentures, which is why your favorite meals might seem slightly but definitely different.

How Can Dentures Affect Flavors?

Normally, it’s true that dentures won’t affect your taste too much. They’re not designed to season your food, after all. However, a few factors could influence what your taste buds are picking up on:

• Increased saliva production is common with new oral appliances, and too much saliva will dull otherwise tasty snacks.
• Applying denture adhesive too frequently is known to leave a metallic aftertaste in the mouth, which can affect your food.
• If you wear a denture for your upper teeth, they’re probably blocking the taste buds along your palate.
• Food particles stuck to your restoration will almost certainly affect the flavor profile of your next meal.

If your culinary adventures are missing some zest, inspect your dentures. It could be that the problem is sitting right under your nose!

What Can I Do to Enjoy Fuller Flavors?

Fortunately, there are a couple of ways to solve denture-dulled flavors:

• Over time, your mouth will adjust to your dentures, and the saliva factory should decrease production, enabling safer passage for traveling spices.
• Consult with your dentist about readjusting your dentures’ fit. If you’re applying so much denture adhesive that your mouth tastes metallic, it’s probably time to tweak your restoration’s size.
• Consider replacement options that are more low-profile, such as implant-retained dentures or dental implants. These options can free-up taste buds normally covered by a bulkier restoration.
• Make sure you clean your dentures thoroughly every day. If you already have a habitual routine, you might need to ask your dentist for additional hygiene tips.

You don’t have to be a scientist to know that a mouthful of your favorite foods is a huge mood-booster and a simple comfort. Basically, checking in on your dentures is definitely worth it! A little maintenance and a chat with your dentist can go a long way towards helping you enjoy your meals.

About the Author

Dr. John Moneyhun earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. To provide the best possible care for his patients, he keeps up to date with the latest advances in dental techniques and technology – including implant-retained dentures and dental implants. If you suspect your dentures are impacting your ability to enjoy meals, contact Dr. Moneyhun’s office at 864-800-1691.