Locations:
SearchThe Short Answer from an oral surgeon
A: It is not uncommon for our sense of taste to change, or diminish, with time. This is due to many factors. As we age, the number of taste buds that we have decreases. This usually begins to occur in our 40s if we’re female or in our 50s if we’re male.
Advertisement
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
At the same time, our remaining taste buds also begin to shrink, or atrophy, and do not function as well. This results in decreased sensitivity to taste, typically affecting salty or sweet, and eventually sour or bitter foods. Around the same time, our sense of smell may also start to decrease, which can contribute to the loss of taste.
—Oral surgeon Michael Horan, MD, DDS, PhD
Advertisement
Learn more about our editorial process.
Advertisement
Dehydration, medication and nasal congestion are common culprits
Smoking, medications, acid reflux and even aging can all leave you with a bad taste in your mouth
Some people experience taste — or certain flavors — more intensely than others
These berries may make life taste a little sweeter, but they may not be for everyone
8 reasons salty mouth happens and how to treat it
Expert advice on what might be causing that strange taste
An expert explains the primary causes
These common mouth sores are very different — cold sores are caused by a virus and are contagious, but canker sores aren’t
You can improve your athletic performance over time by breaking up your workout regimen into focused cycles
The little blue pill might help with physical arousal, but there are better treatments for low libido in women
Sleep issues and certain foods can lead to an early morning headache
