Eating is an activity that delivers vital nutrients to your body. However, for most people, it is so much more than an act of survival. It is a happy, comforting experience. Whether you are delighting in a flavorful steak or indulging in a rich dessert, consuming your favorite dishes is truly something to enjoy. But what if food does not taste like it used to? Your dentures might be partially to blame. This blog post explains how your prosthetic might affect your sense of taste and how you may be able to regain full pleasure from your food.
Dentures and Taste
It is normal to lose some of your sense of taste as you get older. In fact, flavor sensitivity may be up to 49 times lower in elderly individuals than it is in younger people. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that some changes in sense of taste are not related to dentures at all. They might occur due to the natural aging process.
In some cases, though, dentures do contribute significantly to changes in taste. This may happen in a few ways:
- Upper dentures cover some tastebuds. Most taste receptors are located on the tongue, but there are also some on the roof of the mouth (also called the palate). A full upper denture covers the palate and may make some foods taste different.
- Adhesive residue. If your dentures do not fit as well as they once did, you could end up using a lot of adhesive to keep them in place. This can cause a metallic taste in your mouth.
- Food particles and bacteria. If you forget to clean your dentures regularly, they may start to accumulate food particles and bacteria, which can have a taste that interferes with your ability to enjoy your meals.
What You Can Do
Here are a few tips that might help you regain an accurate sense of taste even while wearing dentures:
- Make sure your dentures are clean. If you are unsure of how to properly clean your dentures, feel free to ask your dentist for advice. For most people, a thorough nightly brushing, along with regular soaking in a cleansing solution, is enough to keep their prosthetic fresh and functional.
- Ask about a reline. If you are using too much adhesive because your dentures do not fit correctly, ask your dentist if they can be relined (adjusted). A secure fit may allow you to use less adhesive or possibly stop using adhesive altogether.
- Consider switching to implant dentures. Implant dentures are anchored in the jawbone and do not cover the palate.
Your dentures might impact your experience with food. Fortunately, there are steps you can take that may help you get back to fully enjoying all of your favorite snacks and meals.
Meet the Practice
At Four Town Dental, our team of specialists and dentists is pleased to provide a full range of treatments, including traditional dentures, denture maintenance, and implant dentures. If you have questions about eating with your prosthetic or taking care of it, we would be happy to speak with you. Get in touch with our Enfield, CT, office at 860-856-6928.