I can smell, but I can't taste

[Lougirly]

Ok, so for the, lets say, around the past 4 weeks, I cannot taste. Barely anything. Except really strong things, like peppermint and such. But barely. Anywho, the odd thing is, I can smell fine. Perfectly normal. Now I heard that your sense of smell effects your sense taste, which seems weird to me due to the fact I can smell and not taste. I feel alright, so I don't think it's sickness, but why else would my taste be gone?

[hollandm57]

I feel for everyone that cannot taste or smell or both or just one . I can smell fine my problem is I cannot taste. I can tell when something is too salty or too sweet. My mouth burns when something is too spicy, but to taste any of these no. I have asked doctors and dentist but no response. I am 65 and I have dentures. I have to use a dental adhesive to hold my dentures in place. I have had to use it from day one as I have yet to find a dentist that could make dentures that fit correctly. My take on the no taste issue for me at least is maybe the adhesive as it dissolves in my mouth may cost my taste buds to the point that it has affected my taste. I change the adhesive daily ,brush my gums dentures and my tongue . I have tried to taste after I brush but still no go. I have tried eating something like soup without the denture but no taste. It maybe be that brushing my tongue or scraping it, may not be enough to remove any build up. I have tried warm salt water gargles ect.but no tasting. At times I can taste but only for a day then it's back to status quo. So I have come to accept that my age along with the denture crap has robbed me of my taste. That's my diagnosis for my self. If anyone has any information that could help those of us that can't enjoy tasting , please speak up!! Thank you.

[hollandm57]

"Coats "my taste buds not "costs". Sorry my bad on the proof read.

[JamesSQ]

I also wear dentures, but I never use adhesives. My taste has been off and on since 2013

[Maupetit]

All through this year I can smell but I cannot taste. To the point I thought it has been my imagination. So, yesterday I ordered a Salty Caramel large shake, thinking "this is it" but nothing. Sure there was a difference in being able to detect salty verses caramel, but it still wasn't true salt and caramel I was tasting. Light Bulb! I needed a crown done, but didn't do it in January. Now, the #19 molar has even broken off more, leaving jagged mercury from a filling is cutting into my tongue, the back area. So, for me, the riddle has been solved, because my smell is fine. Evidently my tongue is swollen from the constant abrasion. I even wake up tasting blood. So, for me, the problem has been caused my a dental problem. So maybe one of you have a dental issue as well.

[musicmama4ever]

I haven't been able to taste anything for 6 months now.  I can smell fine.  You mentioned you went to a chiropractor for a pinched nerve.  How did you know a nerve was pinched, where was it, and how did the chiropractor fix it?  Did this help your sense of taste return?

[bertha4420]

got to a chioropractor a neve is pinched

[Greyfort]

This has been happening to me now for almost 5 years.  Yesterday, my sense of taste went out completely again.  I can't taste a thing.  It comes and goes.  I hate it when it's at its worst.  I never can taste as well as I could when I was younger.  I can always smell just fine though.

I've mentioned it to my doctor many times.  He asks, "Can you smell?"  "Yes."  "Hmm.  That's interesting."  He doesn't seem to be the least bit concerned about it, as long as I can still smell.

It's very annoying, especially on days like yesterday when we had a birthday and I couldn't even enjoy the chocolate cake.  It's embarrassing when someone takes the time to cook you dinner, asks how it was and you have to say, "I'm sorry.  I couldn't taste it.  I'm sure it was great."  Most of the time, I just say, "Oh, it was fine.  Thanks."

I've searched on-line, but no one seems to have any answers for this one.

[JamesSQ]

Since this post in 2013, my sense of taste has returned and left several times. I'm currently unable to taste anything again for the past 5 months. I don't understand it... my doctors don't understand it. I give up.

[emilyt25]

Have you had any improvement in your taste? I am experiencing the same thing!

[ELJAY71]

Hello James, has your sense of taste now returned?

I can smell fine but cannot taste anything , I can only just make out whether something is salty or savoury.

It's been going on for over  three weeks now and I've been on two lots of antibiotics!

It's really affecting my quality of life

[JamesSQ]

I'm about 9 years late responding to this and I wish I had good news along with a resolution to share, but I don't. My taste has been on and off for months at a time since posting here in 2013.

[JamesSQ]

I wish people would follow up on these sort of things. I haven't been able to taste ANYTHING for months! Yet my sense of smell is perfectly fine.

[Paderla Anitha, DNB]

Hello and hope you are doing well.

Lack of taste can sometimes be due to inflammations of the tongue. It could also be due to deficiency of vitamins and minerals. Please consult your doctor to rule out these conditions.

Hope this helped and do keep us posted.

[JamesSQ]

We have ruled this out time and time again. I'm still dealin with it. No answers...