Dentures are the tried-and-true solution for tooth loss, though they remain popular today in part because of their incredible versatility. Your dentist can help provide lifelike full, partial, or implant dentures to restore your smile’s function and appearance regardless of how many teeth went missing.
But you’re not alone if you’re wondering whether your new teeth might affect your sense of taste. Continue reading to learn more about it so you know what to expect once you start wearing your restoration regularly!
Why Do We Sense Different Flavors?
Your sense of taste is the result of small receptors, known as taste buds, communicating different flavors in your mouth to your brain. These tiny bumps are located on the tongue, the roof of your mouth, and also in the throat and upper esophagus. They send different signals that your brain translates into familiar flavors, such as bitter, sweet, salty, sour, and umami.
It’s believed that our sense of taste initially developed as a survival mechanism to help identify safe versus unsafe foods. For example, sweet ingredients, like fresh fruits, often contain natural sugars or carbohydrates for energy, while saltiness might indicate essential minerals, such as sodium, needed to maintain healthy body fluids.
How Do Dentures Work?
These replacement teeth typically consist of a gum-colored, acrylic base set with the required number of teeth to help rebuild your arches, so you can eat, speak, and smile more confidently. Full sets rely on a tight suction with your gum tissues over the bony ridges in your mouth to remain in place, while partials typically contain metallic clasps that anchor to healthy teeth in your mouth.
Implant dentures involve surgically placing several support posts directly into your jaw, which eventually fuse with the bone to anchor your restoration more permanently.
Will Dentures Affect My Sense of Taste?
Regardless of the type of dentures required, there’s a chance that the foundation of your new teeth will cover tissues containing taste buds, which can potentially reduce your sense of taste.
For example, some patients report that food seems blander after wearing their dentures regularly and begin to gravitate toward stronger flavors they can still detect. You might also notice a strange or foul odor or tang on your restoration if they’ve begun to develop plaque, which you can avoid by removing them to clean them twice daily.
Thankfully, the changes to your sense of taste that result from wearing dentures can be temporary. Many patients find that some flavors start to return after they’ve fully acclimated to their prosthetics.
If you’re unsure how dentures might affect your sense of taste, your dentist can provide more information during your consultation appointment!
Meet the Author
Dr. George T. Philip takes pride in developing lasting relationships with patients so he can offer personalized services to help them build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, but as a lifelong resident of Mesquite, Texas, he returned to his home state to join a private practice. Today, he offers a complete menu of services, including dentures, to meet your unique needs under one roof. You can request an appointment on the website or call (972) 285-6144.