If you struggle to detect oregano, garlic, and numerous other spices in your food, you probably want to know how to improve your sense of taste. Taste allows you to enjoy the food and beverages you consume in your diet. But dehydration can compromise your ability to taste the spices in your food. Here's how dehydration affects your ability to taste and what you might do about it. 

How Does Dehydration Affect Your Sense of Taste?

Dehydration can cause a number of issues with your tongue, including inflammation, swelling, and dryness. These unpleasant symptoms can affect your ability to eat or taste different flavors. Drinking more water can help you overcome the symptoms in your tongue and inability to taste spices. 

Water is one of the most essential substances your mouth needs to stay healthy. Not only does water keep germs under control inside your mouth, but it also moistens the tiny sensory receptors (taste buds) on your tongue. Taste buds work with special chemicals inside your nasal cavity to send signals to your brain. If your taste buds become inflamed or coated with germs because you don't have enough water in your body, your brain may not receive all of the signals it needs to process the flavors in food. 

Try drinking the recommended amount of water for your age and sex each day to keep your tongue and food moistened. If you still can't detect your food's flavor, see a dentist.

How Can a Dentist Improve Your Sense of Taste?

A dentist can examine the surfaces of your tongue to see if you have any signs of infection or inflammation. Conditions, such as thrush, canker sores, and white tongue, can all change the way your taste buds work. Some of the oral conditions can develop as a result of dehydration.

If a dental provider finds a problem with your tongue, they may treat it with antibiotics or another type of medication. Some providers use tongue scrapers to clean your tongue. Tongue scrapers remove debris from the surface of your tongue, which may allow your taste buds to detect flavors better. 

A provider may also check the condition of your throat, salivary glands, and gums to see if these tissues show signs of infection. Infectious material like bacteria can disrupt the natural balance inside your mouth. Rinsing your mouth or gargling your throat with an antiseptic may help decrease the presence of bacteria.

If you need help overcoming your inability to taste different spices, contact a dentist for assistance today.