Although significant tooth loss can potentially affect people at any point in time, it tends to affect senior adults more frequently. For example, sources estimate that about 51% of those between 55 and 64 years old wear full or partial dentures, compared to nearly 57% of those aged 65 to 74.
But regardless of your age, it’s natural to have questions about these replacement teeth, such as whether they might affect your sense of taste. Continue reading to learn more about it so you know what to expect!
How Are Flavors Sensed?
Whether you’re a few months old or nearly a century, your mouth is designed to detect a variety of flavors through tiny sensors, known as taste buds, located throughout your oral cavity. Although they primarily coat the surface of your tongue, they also exist on the roof of your mouth and back of your throat.
Each one of these tiny bumps has about 50 to 150 receptor cells that differentiate between sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami (savory), and transmit those signals to your brain. This combines with olfactory messages from the smells you detect with your nose, which is how you know what your meals taste like.
How Does Age Affect Taste?
Aging affects the body in many ways, and your dental condition is no exception. For example, like your other cells, your body periodically replaces your taste buds so they can continue to function at their peak.
But as you get older, the number of taste buds tends to shrink because your body can’t replace them as quickly or effectively, and the ones that remain tend to shrink. Furthermore, people tend to produce less saliva later in life, which can cause dry mouth, making it harder for foods to dissolve and trigger your taste receptors.
Do Dentures Affect My Sense of Taste?
Dentures are made to look and feel as lifelike as possible, but they’re not made from the same organic components as your teeth and gums. They don’t contain taste buds, and the acrylic foundation of your restoration may even cover or block many of these sensors, which can make foods seem blander. Many older adults who regularly wear these prosthetics may gravitate to stronger flavors as a result.
Plaque buildup on your restoration might also interfere with your sense of taste or smell, which can affect how the brain interprets them. You can keep them clean by removing them after meals and rinsing them under gently running water, and scrubbing all surfaces twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and clear dish soap to remove harmful or unpleasantly flavored residue.
Thankfully, many patients notice that meals regain their zest once they’ve fully acclimated to wearing their restoration routinely!
About the Practice
Patients at Khoi Dental Group benefit from two dentists who take pride in helping improve their lives by enhancing their dental health. Dr. Le and Dr. Murray are each highly accomplished on their own, and today, they collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services, including dentures, to meet the unique needs of people of all ages. Their caring approach is paired with advanced technology for accurate, beautiful results meant to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (904) 262-8409.