Eating is an act of survival, but for most people, it is much more than that. It can be a joy, comforting experience. Whether you are savoring a flavorful steak or indulging in a delectable dessert, consuming your favorite foods is truly something to take pleasure in. But what if you discover that, after getting dentures, food does not taste the same anymore? This blog post discusses the connection between dentures and taste in Plymouth. It also provides tips on how you may be able to regain an accurate sense of taste.
Dentures and Taste
It is normal for humans to lose some of their sense of taste as they age. In fact, flavor sensitivity can be as much as 49 times lower in elderly people than it is in younger ones. In some cases, the loss of taste that is blamed on dentures is actually due to normal aging processes instead of the prosthetic teeth.
In other cases, though, dentures do play a role in changes in taste. There are a few ways in which this can happen:
- Upper dentures cover some taste buds. The tongue contains the majority of taste buds, but there are also receptors on the roof of the mouth that play a role in helping people experience flavor. When those receptors are covered, many foods may not taste the same.
- Adhesive residue. If your dentures do not fit properly, you might end up using extra adhesive to keep them in place. Unfortunately, doing so may create a metallic taste in the mouth.
- Food residue. Missteps in cleaning your dentures could allow food particles and bacteria to build up on them. These particles may come with a taste that prevents you from fully enjoying your food.
What You Can Do
Here are a few ways in which denture wearers may be able to regain an accurate sense of taste:
- Thoroughly clean your dentures. Your dental team would be happy to coach you on how to keep your prosthetic clean. In most cases, a thorough nightly brushing, along with regularly soaking their dentures in a cleaning solution, is enough to keep their teeth clean and fresh.
- Inquire about a reline. If the fit of your dentures is not what it should be, ask your dentist if they can be relined (adjusted). A proper fit can allow you to use less adhesive. You might even be able to stop using adhesive altogether.
- Consider upgrading to implant dentures. Implant dentures are anchored in the jawbone, so there is no need for them to cover the roof of the mouth. They feel and function more like natural teeth than traditional prosthetics.
Dentures can negatively affect the way you experience food. Happily, though, there may be things you can do to restore your sense of taste and get back to loving every bite you take.
Meet the Practice
Here at Aveni Dental Professionals, we pride ourselves on providing top-quality care in a welcoming environment. We offer traditional dentures, implant dentures, and denture maintenance services. To learn more about us and how we may be able to serve you, contact us at 508-217-7454.