Significant tooth loss affects so many areas of your life. When it comes to speaking clearly, smiling without feeling self-conscious, and choosing “chewable” food, it can be difficult. Fortunately, dentures can restore the function and appearance of your smile. Something you may be wondering is if dentures will affect the way you enjoy your 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 your palate, or the roof of your mouth, is more likely to result in a loss of taste. This is due to the palate playing an important role in both tasting and smelling. However, not everyone is significantly impacted by this. It is more common to experience changes in the taste of food if your dentures aren’t being cleaned thoroughly. Residue can easily build up, causing a foul taste that interferes with the way that 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’ve likely noticed over time, losing your sense of taste is a natural part of getting older. That’s why many people enjoy stronger flavors, like spicy mustard and onions, in adulthood, but not as a child. Many people notice this more so after the age of 60. The average person is born with approximately 10,000 tastebuds, but this decreases as you age. In fact, your sense of taste can be cut in half for 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 certain things taste.
Does Loss of 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, it can impact the health of your entire body. Poor nutrition can contribute to diabetes and poor cardiovascular health. Negative changes in eating habits can also increase your risk of many illnesses due to malnutrition. In the end, taste plays an important role in helping you stay healthy!
How to Prevent Loss of Taste from Dentures
Dentures don’t need to take away all the joy you have for your favorite foods. You can significantly reduce the impact that dentures have on your taste with these simple steps:
- Clean your dentures after each meal.
- Minimize your use of denture adhesive. If your dentures aren’t fitting properly, schedule an appointment to have them relined.
- Consider implant dentures. This type of denture is more stable and doesn’t cover the palate.
When you invest in quality dentures and take excellent care of them, they shouldn’t make your culinary experiences any less pleasant. Delicious cuisine is still something you can appreciate and look forward to!
About the Practice
At Dr. Suzanne Land & Associates Family Dentistry, Dr. Suzanna Land, Dr. Ta’Ronn Simpson, and Dr. Patel work together to serve the Moorestown community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can complete their smile all under one roof. To learn more about dentures and other tooth replacement options or to schedule a consultation, visit their website or call (856) 235-0449.