Will Wisdom Tooth Extraction Impact Your Taste?

For all of us, there may come a day when we have to get one or all of our wisdom teeth removed. Wisdom tooth extraction is a dental procedure that we all need to have enough courage to face because if our dentist has decided to extract these teeth, it is definitely necessary for our dental health. So, this is a common dental procedure, but sometimes, some people may experience certain side effects afterwards, one of them is a temporary loss of taste after wisdom tooth removal! While this may worry you a lot, more often than not, it is temporary. With some patience and following your dentist’s advice, it will heal, and you’ll be able to enjoy your favourite foods again.

I am Dr Roya, a specialist Perth dentist, and in this article, I’ll explain why some patients may experience a loss of taste after wisdom tooth removal, who may have a higher risk, and what steps people can take to recover faster.

Is It Normal to Lose Taste After Wisdom Tooth Removal?

Yes, some patients may notice changes in their sense of taste after having a wisdom tooth removed, but it does not happen to everyone. Your tongue and the surrounding tissues have tiny taste buds that help you sense flavours. These taste buds send messages to your brain through special nerves.

Some of these nerves are very close to your wisdom teeth. Sometimes, during wisdom tooth extraction, these nerves may get irritated or affected, which might cause temporary changes in your sense of taste. But most of the time, your taste goes back to normal as your mouth heals.

Possible Causes of Loss of Taste After Wisdom Tooth Removal

Several reasons may cause a patient to experience loss of taste after wisdom tooth removal. I have listed some of the most common ones here for you:

Nerve Irritation or Damage

The lingual nerve, which helps with taste and feeling in part of your tongue, may sometimes get irritated or, in rare cases, a bit damaged during wisdom tooth extraction. It may happen because of the pressure of the surgery, swelling in the area, or if the nerve gets touched directly. If the nerve is just irritated, any changes in taste that you are experiencing are usually temporary and will get better as the swelling reduces. However, if the nerve is damaged, it may take weeks or months to heal, but most of the time, the taste comes back as it gets better.

Inflammation and Swelling

After wisdom tooth surgery, your body sends more blood to the area, which can cause inflammation and swelling around the extraction site. This can cause the taste signals to be blocked temporarily and make flavours seem weaker or different. Your tongue and surrounding tissues may also feel slightly numb or sensitive as a result of the pressure caused by swelling. But don’t worry; your sense of taste usually comes back to normal as the swelling goes down.

Infection

After your dentist extracts your wisdom tooth, the area is vulnerable as it heals, and in some cases, bacteria may enter the wound and lead to an infection. When this happens, your body’s immune response may affect your sense of taste and cause a metallic, bitter, or unusual taste in your mouth. An infection can cause swelling, which puts pressure on the nerves that affect taste and make flavours seem different for a while. But once the infection clears, your taste usually goes back to normal.

Medications

After you have your wisdom teeth extracted, your dentist may give you certain medications like painkillers, antibiotics, or mouth rinses. These medications may sometimes affect your sense of taste. If you are taking antibiotics after your wisdom tooth procedure, you may notice a metallic or bitter aftertaste. Some prescription pain relievers may also temporarily make it harder for you to taste flavours. In some cases, if your oral rinse contains antiseptics, it may affect your taste buds and make food taste different or strange.

Healing Process

After your wisdom tooth surgery, your body focuses on healing the area, and this can temporarily change how you taste things. As your tissues are healing, there might be some mild swelling or sensitivity that can affect how your tongue and taste buds work. As new cells regenerate and the area recovers, your nerves that are responsible for taste will gradually return to normal.

Blood or Medication Residue in the Mouth

After your procedure, a little bit of blood may mix with your saliva and leave a metallic or unusual taste in your mouth. Some pain relievers, antibiotics, or antiseptic mouthwashes may also cover your tongue, which can temporarily affect your sense of taste.

Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)

Did you know saliva helps carry flavours to your taste buds? So, if your mouth gets dry after wisdom tooth removal, food might taste bland or different. You may experience dry mouth due to reduced saliva flow from stress, dehydration, or certain pain medications. When your mouth is dry, your taste buds may not work effectively, which can make flavours seem dull or even disappear for a while. Once you stay hydrated and your saliva levels return to normal, your taste usually comes back.

How Long Does the Loss of Taste after Wisdom Tooth Removal Last?

Mild Cases: In mild cases, changes in taste usually last a few days to a few weeks as the swelling reduces and the nerves calm. Most people start to notice improvement after the first stage of healing.

Moderate Cases: If the nerve is slightly irritated, changes in taste can last up to 2–3 months while the nerve regenerates.

Severe Cases (Rare): In rare cases, if the nerve is badly damaged, it may take about six months or longer for the taste to return. If the nerve is permanently affected—which is very uncommon—some changes in taste may last long-term. This is more likely with complex extractions where the nerve is stretched or injured.

Risk Factors for Taste Loss After Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Throughout the many years I’ve been working in the field of wisdom tooth extraction, I’ve noticed that certain factors may increase the likelihood of losing your sense of taste after the procedure. Below, you can see some of these possible factors:

Age

As we get older, our nerves don’t heal as quickly as they did when we were younger. This means that if a taste-related nerve gets irritated during wisdom tooth removal, recovery might take a little longer. Some studies suggest that people over 40 may have a slightly higher chance of experiencing temporary taste changes because their nerve regeneration slows down with age. While this doesn’t mean taste loss is guaranteed, it can affect how long recovery takes.

Impacted Teeth

If your wisdom teeth are impacted, it may be a little trickier for your dentist to remove them since they’re often trapped under the gum or pushed against nearby areas. Because the nerves that help you taste are close to these deeply positioned teeth, there’s a bigger chance they might get irritated during removal. This may temporarily affect how things taste, but as your nerve heals, you will regain your full sense of taste.

Surgical Complexity

Believe it or not, some wisdom teeth are easier to remove than others! When the extraction procedure is more complex, like when your wisdom tooth is deeply impacted or is near a major nerve, there’s a slightly higher risk of temporary taste changes. Therefore, the more difficult the extraction, the greater the chance that the nerves responsible for taste can become irritated during the procedure. I can see that this can be concerning, but in most cases, your nerves recover with time, and your taste gradually returns to normal.

Surgical Technique

The technique that the dentist or oral surgeon uses for the extraction of your wisdom tooth can also play a role in whether the nerve responsible for taste gets irritated. When the dentist uses a gentle and precise technique to extract the tooth, they help avoid too much pressure or damage to those nerves, which lowers the chance of taste issues.

Pre-existing Conditions

Certain health conditions, like diabetes or nerve-related disorders, can make the nerves more sensitive or take longer to heal. If you already have a condition that affects your nerve function, there’s a slightly higher chance that you could experience temporary or longer-lasting changes in taste after wisdom tooth removal.

Location of the Wisdom Teeth

Where your wisdom teeth are positioned in your mouth can influence whether and how the nearby nerves are affected during extraction. If your wisdom tooth is very close to the lingual nerve, which helps with taste in the front of the tongue, there’s a slightly higher chance of temporary taste changes.

How to Help Your Taste Return Faster

I can understand that losing your sense of taste after having your wisdom teeth removed can be very concerning and uncomfortable, but you should know that most of the time, this is temporary, and after a while, everything returns to normal. All it takes is a little patience.

Be Patient: It takes time for nerves to heal, and your body is working hard to repair itself. It can take a few weeks and, in some cases, months, but most of the time, your taste will eventually return to normal.

Maintain Good Oral Hygiene: You need to keep your mouth clean for healing, but be gentle when you brush your teeth or rinse. You can also use a saltwater rinse or alcohol-free mouthwash to help prevent without irritating the area.

Stay Hydrated: Remember, when you drink enough water, it can help keep your mouth moist and wash away bacteria that could slow down healing. A dry mouth can make the changes in taste feel worse, so now you know why keeping a water bottle near you throughout the day can help you after wisdom tooth removal.

Avoid Spicy, Hot, or Acidic Foods: No matter how much you like spicy or acidic foods, try to stay away from them after the procedure because they may irritate the healing tissues in your mouth and may make your taste issues worse. Try softer, milder foods until everything feels normal again.

Try Zinc Supplements: According to some studies, zink may help you recover your sense of taste, especially if you have a mild deficiency. You can find zinc in foods like meat, nuts, and dairy, or take a supplement if needed, but please make sure you check with your dentist or doctor first.

Reduce Alcohol & Smoking: Did we tell you drinking alcohol and smoking can slow down the healing process and interfere with your taste buds? Ok, now that you know, try to cut back, even temporarily, because that way, you are helping your mouth recover faster and get your taste back to normal sooner.

What’s Not Normal and When to Be Concerned

It is normal if you have noticed a loss of taste after wisdom tooth removal. It may be because of the anaesthesia we used for your tooth extraction or perhaps some swelling afterwards. But if you’re still experiencing a loss of taste a few days after your procedure, that’s not very common and could mean a nerve may have been irritated. Please visit your dentist for evaluation if you notice continuous taste changes, numbness, or a bad taste that is accompanied by other symptoms.

How Choosing an Experienced Dentist Can Help

I cannot emphasise the importance of choosing an experienced dentist for your wisdom tooth extraction enough! A skilled dentist with years of experience in removing wisdom teeth knows how to carefully work around sensitive nerves to avoid irritating them. The dentist’s precision and expertise when extracting your wisdom teeth help minimise trauma to the surrounding tissues, reduce pain and swelling, and lower the chance of any lingering taste changes. So, if this is the time to say goodbye to your wisdom teeth, it is wise to take your time and look for a professional dentist who knows how to handle the procedure to reduce the risk of complications.

Check out our detailed guide on wisdom teeth removal in Perth for additional information.

Count on Our Expert Care for a Smooth Recovery

Precision and expertise are two important factors when it comes to wisdom tooth removal. By taking the right approach, we can help prevent or reduce risks of complications like nerve irritation, lingering discomfort, or changes in taste. At Perth Wisdom Teeth Clinic, we focus on careful, precise treatment to make sure your recovery is as smooth and stress-free as possible. Book your appointment today by calling us at (08) 9474 5083.