Flavorful Changes: 4 Ways Dentures Can Affect Your Sense of Taste

You likely grasp that dentures change the eating experience. They’re prosthetic teeth, after all – they let you chew a wide range of foods more easily. That said, did you know that dentures can affect your sense of taste as well? These restorations will alter your meal’s flavor if you’re careless. Luckily, your Lancaster dentist can help you avoid that thorny issue. Here are three ways dentures can upset your sense of taste, as well as good tips on preventing them.

What Dentures Do to Affect Your Sense of Taste

Since they aren’t natural teeth, dentures can sometimes distort your sense of taste. Ways they could do so include:

Collect Food Deposits

As you chew with them over time, dentures build up food deposits and stains. Such debris can overwhelm your senses and lead to taste loss.

The “food deposit” issue especially applies to cheap dentures. These restorations are made from low-quality and porous plastic. So, patients using them are likely to pick up more odors and tastes.

Not Fit Well

When dentures don’t fit well, many use adhesives to secure them. However, these creams don’t do your taste buds any favors.

In reality, denture creams can alter taste sensations. Patients often describe them as having a “metallic” flavor – one that overwhelms feelings from foods or drinks. Given these facts, overusing a denture cream or adhesive risks temporary taste loss.

Cover Your Palate

Unlike other kinds, some full upper dentures feature a base plate. This component (when present) tends to cover the palate. Unfortunately, it can also reduce your sense of taste.

You see, taste buds aren’t just present on your tongue. Many of them exist on the roof of your mouth. As a result, covering them with a denture’s base plate can keep you from sensing tastes.

Tips on Improving Taste Sensation

Despite the factors above, you can keep dentures from affecting your sense of taste. You simply need to use the right tips and tricks. In particular, consider those below:

• Get Implant Dentures – Compared to regular ones, implant dentures lack a base plate. They won’t cover the taste receptors in your mouth.
• Clean Your Dentures – If you clean your dentures daily, food deposits won’t gather on them. Just make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush and the proper solution.
• Talk to a Dentist – Taste loss can stem from many factors, so discuss the problem with a dentist. They can check your mouth to assess the cause and provide reliable treatments.

While taste does fade with age, you shouldn’t let it diminish more than you must. Therefore, remember the facts above so your dentures help you eat tasty meals.

About the Practice

Lancaster Family Smiles is based in Lancaster, TX. Led by Dr. Mahima Gupta, our practice is a caring provider of excellent family dentistry. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental treatments. Whether you’re a child or a senior, our dental team will look after your smile well! For more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (469)-729-7707.