Being able to eat all your favorite foods is one of the many benefits of dentures. When living with missing teeth, you may find it harder to consume certain meals; however, these prosthetics change all of that. Unfortunately, not everyone appreciates the effect dentures can have on one’s sense of taste. The way they’re crafted can inhibit your ability to eat what is on your plate and savor every bite. If you want to know how to fix this problem, keep reading.
Why Do Dentures Affect Your Taste?
Your tongue is not the only part of your mouth that contains taste buds. They’re also within your cheeks and in the upper palate.
If you think about how an upper denture is crafted, you’ll recall that it covers the roof of your mouth. Unfortunately, this means the chances of being able to taste anything you eat remain slim. Other potential reasons you may be unable to taste with your dentures include:
- Prosthetics that have accumulated food debris and bacteria on them and are not cleaned often
- Excessive denture adhesive is impacting how food tastes
How Can Loss of Taste Impact Your Overall Health?
When you are unable to taste the food you’re eating, you may begin to struggle with the following:
- Lack of desire to cook healthy, nutritious meals
- Eating foods known for their nutritional value (i.e., dairy, sour foods, etc.)
- Reaching for sweets, which can increase your risk of developing diabetes
- Ingesting more salt
- Consuming excess fat
This reality may be enough to have you asking your dentist if there is a way to fix this problem or another solution to address your tooth loss.
What Can a Dentist Do to Address Loss of Taste?
If you want to do something about your inability to really taste your food, there are a few options you can consider:
- Have a new denture created: Even if it’s not time to receive a new one, you can have a prosthetic crafted so that it mimics the look of the lower denture, which is usually designed like a horseshoe.
- Inquire about implant dentures: Instead of using denture adhesive to hold your teeth in place, you can change to implant dentures and let multiple implant posts support a complete denture. These restorations do not cover the upper palate but instead allow you to eat your favorite foods.
- Continue to wear dentures: If you choose to stick with your dentures, make sure you clean them each day, especially after every meal. This will keep food debris from accumulating on them.
There is no reason to continue missing out on your favorite dishes just because of your dentures. By talking with your dentist about your options, you can begin to rediscover flavor while enjoying life with a durable, healthy smile.
About Grand Dental – Aurora
At Grand Dental – Aurora, we know dentures are a popular tooth replacement option for patients dealing with tooth loss. We also recognize how challenging these prosthetics can be if you do not know how to properly care for them. If you notice that you cannot enjoy eating because your upper palate is covered or bacteria are developing on your teeth, visit our website or call (630) 538-8302. We can discuss your various options and go over your goals to ensure you are pleased with the type of tooth replacement you receive.