Dentures are a life-changing tooth replacement option for those who are missing several, most of, or all of their teeth. They allow those with tooth loss to smile confidently, speak clearly, and chew thoroughly again. Foods that were off the table before can be reintroduced. However, will dentures affect the way that your favorite foods taste? Continue reading to learn about the different ways your taste preferences can be affected.
Can Dentures Impact the Way You Taste?
A denture that covers the roof of your mouth is more likely to result in a loss of taste since the palate plays a role in taste and smell. However, not everyone is significantly impacted by dentures that cover the palate. If dentures aren’t cleaned regularly, residue can build up, causing a bad taste that interferes with the way you experience certain flavors. This is a more common issue with cheaper dentures that are made from low-quality materials that become dirty more easily.
How Can Aging Affect Taste?
We lose our sense of taste as we age – especially after the age of 60. You have approximately 10,000 taste buds when you are born, but this decreases over time. In fact, your sense of taste can be cut in half with certain flavors while others aren’t affected at all. This is why many older adults enjoy foods that contain more salt and sugar. If you’ve lost your sense of smell over time, it can also impact your loss of taste.
Can Loss of Taste from Dentures Affect Nutrition?
When food doesn’t taste good to someone anymore, this can result in a loss of interest in cooking, higher consumption of sweet and salty foods, and more intake of excess 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 increase your risk of numerous chronic diseases.
How to Prevent Loss of Taste with Dentures
Dentures don’t have to take the joy out of eating your favorite foods. You can significantly reduce the impact that dentures have on your taste by doing the following.
• Clean your dentures after every meal
• Minimize your use of denture adhesive
• Consider implant dentures. They don’t cover the palate.
By investing in quality dentures and taking proper care of them, you can continue to enjoy all of your favorite meals and flavors!
About the Practice
At Dentistry in Buckhead, Dr. Peter A. Pate and Dr. Henry Almquist work together to treat patients in the Atlanta area. If you have struggled with tooth loss and are interested in tooth replacement options, like dentures, they would be happy to help you achieve a complete smile. To learn more about dentures or to schedule a consultation, visit their website or call (404) 266-9424.