Eating is more than a way to deliver vital nutrients to your body; it should also be an enjoyable experience. When you first got dentures, perhaps you were looking forward to finally being able to dig into some of your favorite dishes. But have you found that food tastes different than you expected? Are your dentures to blame for changes in your sense of taste? This blog post explains what you should know.
Dentures and Taste
It is quite common for your sense of taste to change as the years pass. In fact, flavor sensitivity might be around 49 times lower in elderly people than in younger individuals. Therefore, it is important to note that some changes in taste do not stem from dentures at all; they might simply be part of the natural aging process.
In many cases, though, dentures do play a role in the way food tastes. This can occur in a few ways:
- Upper dentures cover some tastebuds. The majority of your taste receptors are located on your tongue, but there are also some on your palate (the roof of your mouth). A full upper denture covers the palate, which may affect the taste of certain foods.
- Adhesive residue. Adhesive can be a useful tool for keeping your dentures in place all day. However, if you use too much, its taste might interfere with your ability to enjoy food.
- Food particles and bacteria. A thorough cleaning routine is important for dentures. Missteps in this area could allow bacteria and food particles to accumulate on your prosthetic. This could have a significant impact on how food tastes.
What You Can Do
How can you enjoy a more accurate sense of taste with dentures? Here are a few suggestions:
- Thoroughly clean your dentures. You should thoroughly brush your dentures each night and regularly soak them in a cleaning solution. If you want specific guidance on how to maintain your oral hygiene, ask your dental team for advice.
- Ask about a reline. If you feel that you have to use a lot of adhesive for your dentures, they might not fit properly. Your dentist might be able to reline them so they fit more securely.
- Consider switching to implant dentures. Implant dentures are anchored in the jawbone via prosthetic tooth roots and do not cover the palate. They are also incredibly sturdy and can allow you to eat virtually any food.
Dentures can affect your ability to enjoy food, but fortunately, you can take steps to enjoy a tastier eating experience.
Meet the Practice
Drs. John Carroll and Veronica Yu are proud to serve the Glastonbury community. Dr. Carroll was even recognized as a top dentist by Connecticut Magazine in 2020. Under their leadership, we offer a broad range of services, including dentures, denture maintenance, and implant dentures. To learn more about us or to request an appointment, contact our office at 860-633-2031.
