Maya Ellison
Dentures can cause a bad taste in the mouth for several reasons. Firstly, if dentures are not cleaned properly, food deposits can build up and cause a bad taste. Secondly, dentures can block the palate, affecting the sense of taste, especially if they cover the upper palate. This can be mitigated by using implant-supported dentures, which do not require an upper plate. Additionally, the presence of metal in the mouth, such as metal clasps or fillings, can cause a metallic taste. This can be addressed by replacing metal fillings with ceramic ones or opting for implant-supported dentures. Age-related taste bud degeneration and certain medications can also contribute to changes in taste perception. While new denture wearers may initially experience a plastic taste, this should diminish over time as the brain adjusts and blocks out the taste of the denture material.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of plastic taste | Acrylic plates in dentures cover taste buds in the mouth and tongue |
| Duration of plastic taste | Temporary, until the brain gets accustomed to the acrylic being in the mouth |
| Solutions | Consult a dentist for alternatives like implant-based dentures, flexible dentures, or implant-supported bridges |
| Cause of metallic taste | Metal clasps in partial dentures, metal amalgam fillings, denture adhesive containing zinc |
| Solutions for metallic taste | Eliminate metal fillings, replace partial dentures with implants or bridges, use zinc-free adhesive |
| Other causes of bad taste | Residual deposits from improper denture cleaning, age-related loss of taste, medication, food temperature, dehydration, oral bacteria, consumption of acidic food and drinks |
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What You'll Learn
Metallic taste from metal clasps or fillings
Dentures can cause a metallic taste in your mouth due to the presence of metal clasps and fillings. This is more likely to occur with partial dentures, which are reinforced with metal to survive the full force of biting with natural teeth. The metal clasps used to hold these dentures in place can cause a metallic taste, especially if your mouth is an acidic environment. This could be due to dehydration, oral bacteria, or the consumption of acidic drinks and foods.
Additionally, it's not just the amount of metal in your mouth but also the diversity of metals that can contribute to the metallic taste. As you introduce more different types of metal into your mouth, you increase the likelihood of creating galvanic circuits. These circuits, formed by two different types of metal in a mineral solution like saliva, can lead to increased ions in your saliva and corrosion of one of the metals, enhancing the metallic taste.
Metal amalgam fillings in particular can contribute to this issue by loosening ions and causing a metallic taste. It is the combination of metals that is the problem, so even if you've never had issues with your fillings before, they could be contributing to the taste when combined with metal dentures.
To address this problem, you can consider eliminating metal fillings and replacing them with ceramic fillings. However, for a more direct solution, replacing partial dentures with dental implants or an implant-supported dental bridge is recommended. These options not only eliminate the metallic taste but also offer improved aesthetics and functionality.
It is important to note that dental implants themselves are unlikely to cause a metallic taste. They are usually covered by bones and gums and can be made of titanium, a highly inert metal that doesn't rust or give off ions. Additionally, the abutments, crowns, and bridges can be constructed from ceramic.
If you are experiencing a metallic taste in your mouth, it is advisable to consult your dentist to determine the underlying cause and explore suitable treatment options. Additionally, regular denture cleaning can help decrease their impact on your taste.
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Poorly fitting dentures and excess denture cream
Dentures are supported by acrylic plates that sit on the roof of your mouth and under your tongue. When you first start wearing dentures, your taste buds come into contact with these plates, which can make you taste plastic. However, this taste usually fades away as your brain gets used to the presence of the acrylic plates.
Poorly fitting dentures
If your dentures are poorly fitted, you may experience discomfort and difficulty eating and talking. They may also slip out when you talk, eat, laugh, or sneeze. Poorly fitted dentures can also cause mouth sores, infections, and other oral health issues. If you notice symptoms like swollen, red, and painful gums, frequent gagging, or your dentures slipping around, it's a good indication that they don't fit well.
Excess denture cream
Excessive use of zinc-based denture adhesives has been linked to neurological damage and zinc toxicity. Denture wearers with ill-fitting dentures are more likely to use greater amounts of denture cream to keep their dentures in place. It is recommended that denture wearers have their dentures re-evaluated every five years and consider adjusting or replacing them if they don't fit properly, rather than relying on excessive amounts of denture cream.
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Ageing and loss of taste
Ageing can affect all of the senses, but hearing and vision are usually the most affected. As you age, your senses become less sharp, making it harder to notice details. Sensory changes can affect your lifestyle and may lead to isolation.
Your sense of taste often declines after the age of 60. In addition, your mouth produces less saliva as you age, causing dry mouth, which can also affect your sense of taste. Your sense of smell can diminish, especially after age 70, due to a loss of nerve endings and reduced mucus production in the nose. Mucus helps odours stay in the nose long enough to be detected by the nerve endings.
Anything that damages the parts of your body involved in taste or interferes with how they work together can potentially lead to ageusia (loss of taste). Ageusia can affect anyone, but it is most common in people over 50, as the total number of taste buds starts to decrease from this age. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies linked to ageusia include vitamin B12 deficiency and zinc deficiency. Hundreds of medications also have loss of taste as a potential side effect, including antibiotics, antivirals, and antidepressants.
If you wear dentures, they can also affect your sense of taste. Standard full dentures are supported by acrylic plates that cover taste buds in the mouth and can affect your natural sense of taste. However, your brain will eventually get used to the acrylic, and you should stop noticing the plastic taste. Partial dentures are more likely to cause a metallic taste due to the presence of metal clasps and fillings in the mouth.
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Zinc in denture adhesive
When you first get dentures, you may notice an unpleasant plastic taste in your mouth. This is often due to the materials used in denture construction and the adhesives used to secure them. Denture bases are usually made from acrylic resin, which can have a distinct chemical taste or smell. This taste often dissipates over time as the dentures are used and become more accustomed to the oral environment. However, if the taste persists, it might be due to the denture adhesive.
Zinc is a common ingredient in denture adhesives, added to enhance the adhesive properties and provide anti-inflammatory benefits for denture wearers. While zinc is an essential mineral for the body, having too much zinc in the mouth can lead to a condition known as zinc poisoning or zinc overdose. This can result in an unpleasant, persistent bad taste, often described as a plastic or metallic taste.
Zinc denture adhesives contain zinc salts, such as zinc oxide or zinc sulfate, which react with the saliva to form a sticky, gelatinous substance that helps to secure the dentures in place. While these adhesives are generally safe and effective, some people may be more sensitive to the taste of zinc, and it can be more noticeable if excessive adhesive is used. Additionally, the continuous release of zinc ions can alter the taste perception, leading to a prolonged plastic or bitter taste.
To mitigate this issue, it is important to use denture adhesives sparingly and according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer or dental professional. Excess adhesive should be removed before inserting the dentures, and proper oral hygiene practices, including regular cleaning of the dentures, should be maintained. If the taste persists or becomes unbearable, it is recommended to consult a dentist or prosthodontist to explore alternative adhesive options or discuss adjustments to the dentures themselves.
There are zinc-free denture adhesive options available for those who are sensitive to the taste of zinc or wish to avoid excess zinc intake. These alternatives may use different active ingredients, such as thermal-sensitive polymers or natural gums, to provide adhesion and secure denture retention. Consulting with a dental professional can help in selecting the most suitable adhesive product and ensuring the optimal function and comfort of the dentures.
Additionally, proper denture care and maintenance play a crucial role in reducing the plastic taste. Regular cleaning of the dentures with recommended solutions or pastes can help eliminate any residual adhesive, bacteria, or food debris that may contribute to the unpleasant taste. Soaking the dentures overnight in a denture cleanser can also freshen them up and reduce any lingering plastic or chemical flavors.
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Poor denture cleaning
Dentures are typically made from acrylic resins or other types of plastic, which can sometimes leave a distinct taste in your mouth. This taste is usually more noticeable when you first start wearing your dentures, and while it normally fades over time, it can be an uncomfortable experience.
To avoid this, it is important to maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine. Use a soft-bristle toothbrush and non-abrasive denture cleaner to gently clean all surfaces. Soaking your dentures overnight in a denture-cleaning solution can also help. Not only does it help remove the plastic taste, but it also prevents the buildup of bacteria and plaque, which can contribute to bad breath and other oral health issues.
It is also important to note that as we grow older, we partially lose our sense of taste. Dentures may compound that problem by blocking our palate. However, there are ways to mitigate this, such as proper denture maintenance, getting properly fitted dentures, or using implant-secured dentures, which can all lead to better taste as we age.
Additionally, medication can cause several side effects, including a decrease in taste sensation. It can leave a metallic or bitter taste in your mouth. Chemotherapy drugs, including methotrexate and doxorubicin, have been linked to changes in taste.
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Frequently asked questions
Dentures are usually made from acrylic materials. When you first start wearing dentures, your taste buds come into contact with the plastic plates and send messages to your brain, resulting in a plastic taste.
The plastic taste is usually only noticeable in the short term. Your taste buds and brain will eventually get used to the plastic plates, and you will stop tasting plastic.
There is no proven way to speed up the process. However, maintaining good denture hygiene and ensuring your dentures fit properly can help improve taste in general.
If you are using denture adhesives, they may be the cause of the plastic taste. Additionally, if you have partial dentures, the metal clasps or fillings may be contributing to the taste.
If you are experiencing a metallic taste or a persistent plastic taste, your dentures may be interfering with your taste buds. Consult your dentist for further advice and potential modifications to your dentures.
