As with any kind of major life change, wearing dentures will take some getting used to. You can eat, talk, and smile with a lot more confidence than you could before, but to do them properly with your prosthetic will take some getting used to.
One change that may come as a surprise to dental patients is that dentures can initially affect their sense of taste. Here are a few circumstances where you may run into that issue, and what you can consider doing about it.
When Can Dentures Affect My Taste?
It’s worth pointing out right at the start that a majority of denture patients won’t have to deal with this issue. It’s really only full upper dentures that you should expect to cause this problem. In other circumstances, it may be necessary to talk to a dentist about whether there’s something wrong with your dentures, or whether you could maintain them better.
Here’s a little bit more information about both of these situations.
Full Upper Dentures
The highest concentration of taste buds is obviously located on the tongue, but there are taste receptors found in several places. In fact, there are quite a few of them on the roof of your mouth.
Full upper dentures usually have a plate that covers the roof of the mouth, allowing for better suction. This can temporarily weaken your sense of taste—however, in time you’ll adjust to the dentures, and things will taste normal again.
Problems With Dentures
If you notice that your sense of taste has changed since getting dentures, but you don’t have a full upper denture, it could be that there’s an issue with your dentures.
For example, how much are you relying on denture adhesive? While using a pea-sized amount is normal, well-fitting dentures should be able to stay in place just with just suction alone. Glomming on denture adhesive can be a sign that your dentures need to be relined, and can also leave a funny taste in your mouth.
If you feel like your dentures themselves have a taste, it could be that you aren’t cleaning them well enough. Make sure you’re brushing your prosthetic every day, and leave your dentures in a cleaning solution to soak overnight.
About the Author
Dr. Angela Ruff has been a dentist for decades now, and in that time her passion for her field has only grown. Every patient she sees motivates her to learn more about her work and to better her clinical skills. Dr. Ruff received her degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has been President of the Greater Fayetteville Dental Society and is an active member of the American Dental Association.
If you have any questions about dentures, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (910) 630-6199.