How can tooth loss, dentures, and decreased saliva alter a person's diet?

• A. Increased taste sensation
• B. Altered eating sensations (texture and taste)
• C. Increased chewing efficiency
• D. No change in diet

Answer: (B)

When teeth are missing, dentures are worn, and saliva production drops, the way food feels and tastes in the mouth changes. Chewing becomes less efficient without natural teeth, and dentures may not provide the same bite strength or stability for all foods, so tougher textures become harder to manage. Saliva helps dissolve flavor compounds and lubricate food; with less saliva, flavors don’t release as readily and foods can feel drier, muting taste and altering the overall eating experience. Put together, these factors shift a person’s diet toward softer, moister foods and away from harder, fibrous items, changing both texture and taste sensations. That’s why the correct choice is altered eating sensations (texture and taste). Increased taste sensation isn’t consistent with reduced saliva and denture-related changes, and chewing efficiency isn’t improved—it's typically reduced.