How Often Do Taste Buds Change?

Every two weeks or so, your taste buds get a fresh start. That’s why a burnt tongue heals quickly, and why the foods you may have hated as a kid might actually taste good now.

Your taste buds constantly regenerate, but they don’t work alone. Other factors affect how you experience flavor. As Parveez Rangwala, DDS, explains, “Age, health, medications and even repeated exposure to certain foods all influence how flavors register in your brain.”

Put simply: Your taste buds are always changing — and so are you.

Why taste buds change

Taste buds naturally renew themselves every few weeks. But other things can affect how well they work.

“Sometimes, these changes are temporary, like when you’re sick and everything tastes bland,” Dr. Rangwala notes. “Other times, health conditions or medications can cause longer-lasting changes. Even habits like brushing and flossing matter.”

From getting older to catching a cold, many factors can change how things taste. Some are short-lived. Others may reflect underlying health or lifestyle issues. Here are some of the most common reasons your taste might shift.

Age

As you get older, your sense of taste naturally fades. Here’s why:

• Fewer taste buds: You lose some with age, and the ones that remain may not respond as strongly.
• Weaker flavor signals: Your brain may not pick up on flavors as easily.
• Declining sense of smell: As taste relies heavily on smell, food may not seem as flavorful.

“Many people notice food tastes more bland as they age,” shares Dr. Rangwala. “It’s a normal but sometimes frustrating part of getting older.”

Illness and infection

Certain health conditions can dull your sense of taste, including:

• Colds, flus or sinus infections: These can block your nose and make food seem bland.
• Nerve disorders: Conditions like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease can interrupt how taste signals reach your brain.
• Other illnesses: Anything that affects your mouth, nose or brain may alter how things taste.

Taste usually returns after you recover from an illness. But with chronic conditions, it’s important to talk to your provider.

Medication

“Some medicines can change how food tastes,” says Dr. Rangwala, “either directly or by causing side effects like dry mouth.”

Common culprits include:

• Blood pressure medications: ACE inhibitors and similar drugs can alter flavor perception.
• Antibiotics, antidepressants and antihistamines: These often cause dry mouth, which dulls taste.
• Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy and radiation can damage taste buds, making food taste different or less intense.

If you notice a change in taste while on medication, tell your care team. They may be able to adjust your treatment.

Oral health conditions

Dental problems can dull your taste buds.

Common causes include:

• Cavities
• Gum disease
• Bacteria buildup
• Dry mouth

“Brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups help protect both your mouth and your sense of taste,” says Dr. Rangwala.

Tobacco

Chemicals in tobacco products — including cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco and snuff — can damage taste buds and blunt your sense of flavor.

The good news? Quitting tobacco can improve your sense of taste — and your overall health.

Bottom line

Your taste buds are always changing. Illness, medications and habits like oral hygiene or tobacco use can all play a role. The good news is that many taste changes are temporary — and manageable.

“Most of the time, shifts in taste are normal and nothing to worry about,” says Dr. Rangwala. “But if your sense of taste changes suddenly or doesn’t improve, it’s worth getting checked out.”

If something tastes off, don’t ignore it. A provider can help find the cause — and get you back to savoring your favorite foods.