Are you missing several, a few, or all of your pearly whites? This can leave gaps in your beam and may also make it difficult for you to smile, laugh, and eat with confidence. There are fortunately a variety of options to replace missing teeth, including dentures. These restorations have been around for many years and are a great alternative to missing pearly whites. But, for all their benefits, dentures can have an unexpected effect on how things taste. Keep reading to learn about the connection between dentures and taste as well as what you can do to lessen it.
Dentures and Taste: What’s the Connection?
Dentures don’t cover your tongue, so you may be wondering how they can affect the way you taste things. It’s actually because of the effect they have on your sense of smell. taste and smell are closely connected, with the latter affecting the former. This is why your food tastes bland when you’re sick or your nose is clogged up.
The nose helps you understand how things taste. Full dentures cover up the roof of your mouth, which is also called the palate. This makes it harder for you to taste foods and beverages.
4 Ways to Minimize the Impact of Your Dentures
Luckily, there are a few ways that you can prevent your dentures from affecting your taste too drastically, such as:
- Keep them clean – Cleaning your dentures nightly to remove food particles that have accumulated throughout the day will keep them from altering smells and tastes. Be sure to thoroughly brush them every night to prevent this. You should also let your dentures soak overnight to get rid of leftover bacteria.
- Make sure your dentures fit – If your dentures don’t fit properly, this can impact the way things taste. Denture adhesive can help prevent them from slipping.
- Talk to your dentist – Speak with your dentist about having your restorations adjusted or replaced if they are slipping too much. They may also be able to offer tips on how to keep your restorations from making your food and beverages taste bland.
