mayda Ferguson, DDS
When you’re missing teeth, it can be challenging to complete certain tasks, like speaking clearly, chewing your food, and smiling without feeling self-conscious. Fortunately, for even the most severe cases of tooth loss, dentures are available to transform the appearance and function of smiles. However, will they affect the way you enjoy food? Continue reading to learn about dentures’ effects on taste and what you can do about it.
Do Dentures Impact Taste?
A denture that covers the roof of your mouth is more likely to result in a loss of taste. This is because the palate plays a role in both tasting and smelling. However, not everyone is significantly impacted by this. It is more common to experience issues with taste if your dentures aren’t being cleaned regularly. Residue can easily build up and cause a foul taste that interferes with the way you experience different foods. This is a more significant problem with cheaper dentures that are made from low-quality materials.
How Does Aging Affect Taste?
As you probably know, losing your sense of taste is part of getting older. That’s why many people tend to enjoy stronger flavors, like mustard and onions, in adulthood. This is especially true after the age of 60. The average person is born with about 10,000 taste buds, but this decreases as you get older. In fact, your sense of taste can be cut in half with certain flavors while others aren’t affected at all. Also, if you have experienced a decrease in your sense of smell over time, this can impact the way you experience taste.
Can Losing Taste Affect Nutrition?
When food doesn’t taste good to someone anymore, they might not be choosing the most nutritious options. This can result in a loss of interest in cooking, eating more sweet and salty foods, and consuming more calories. Ultimately, this can impact the health of the entire body. Poor nutrition can contribute to diabetes and poor cardiovascular health. Negative changes in eating habits can also increase your risk of a wide array of chronic illnesses due to malnutrition.
How to Prevent Loss of Taste from Dentures
Dentures don’t have to suck all of the joy out of your favorite foods. You can significantly reduce the impact that dentures have on your taste by taking these simple steps:
- Clean your dentures thoroughly after each meal
- Minimize the use of denture adhesive if possible
- Consider implant dentures. This type of denture is more stable and doesn’t cover the palate.
When you invest in quality dentures and take care of them as you should, they shouldn’t take away the experience of enjoying your favorite foods. Delicious cuisine is still something you can appreciate!
About the Author
Dr. Mayda Ferguson earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans before continuing her training with a General Practice Residency at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center in New Orleans. Currently, she is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Louisiana Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. For more information on dentures or to schedule an appointment, visit her website or call (504) 833-2220.
