What was the first food you reached for when your smile was restored with your new dentures? Was it as good as you remembered? If not, you may be wondering what has changed. The truth is, while you may have thought your food tasting differently after getting restorations was all in your head, dentures really can impact how your body perceives flavor. Here’s why.
How Denture Placement Affects Your Taste Buds
When you have a full set of natural teeth, your mouth is better equipped to experience a variety of delicious flavors, because your tastebuds are unimpeded by restorations. However, if you wear dentures, this can block those fantastic flavor receptors from contacting your food and registering the taste. While this is more common with upper jaw prosthetics, you may still experience some diminished tasting capabilities with lower ones, too. Thankfully, your mouth should adapt to these new additions with time, and eventually some of your ability to perceive taste could return, too!
How Adhesives Alter Food Flavors
Another way your new restorations may affect the flavor of your food is if you use denture adhesive. Although this handy substance can be helpful on a temporary basis, if you find yourself relying on the sticky stuff to keep your restorations in place, it may be time to discuss a reline or new prosthetic with your dentist, as they weren’t meant to be used long-term. In the meantime, if you notice the taste of your foods has changed while using them, try switching to a flavorless brand.
The Importance of Clean Dentures
To keep your mouth healthy and ensure your dentures last as long as possible, it is important to remove them after each meal to clean them, and to take them out to soak them overnight. If you don’t, not only will you increase your risk of oral infection, but your restorations can develop discoloring buildup and begin smelling and tasting foul, which can also alter the flavor of your favorite foods. Thus, be sure to care for them properly, so there’s less reason to wonder why your meals aren’t as delicious as they used to be!
How Tobacco Damages Dentures
Whether you smoke, vape, chew, or dab, tobacco and nicotine products can alter the way your food tastes. Worse yet, between the excessive heat, smoke, and dangerous chemical additives, they can permanently damage your dentures and alter the way your food tastes even if you’re not wearing any restorations at all. Thus, if you do partake in one of these harmful habits, do your best to quit for your oral and overall health!
Remember, your dentures were designed to restore the appearance and function of your healthy, beautiful smile, but you may notice things taste a little differently when you eat. If this occurs, be sure you’re taking proper care of your prosthetics, and with a little time and patience, some of the flavors of your favorite foods should return.
About Our Practice
At Ridgefield Perfect Smile Center, we are pleased to offer a variety of tooth replacement options, including durable, lifelike dentures. If you need to replace one or more teeth, these prosthetics can help, even if you’re on a tight budget. To learn more about your smile restoration options, including whether beautiful, natural-looking dentures are right for you, visit our website or call us today at 203-438-8919 to schedule a consultation.