Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
What Causes Loss Of Taste After Quitting Smoking?
I quit smoking (after more than 50 years!) the first of August. At first, I used a nicotine gum, but I have been off that for at least a month. Almost immediately, after quitting, I began to have this horrible taste in my mouth, my food had absolutely no taste at all (when "everyone" always says that it will taste better!).
My "primary," my cardiologist and my pulmonologist have all been after me to quit. The pulmonologist is the only one, so far, that knows I have. He had no answer for why I have this, almost conitnual, bad taste in my mouth.
Bette in New York State
My "primary," my cardiologist and my pulmonologist have all been after me to quit. The pulmonologist is the only one, so far, that knows I have. He had no answer for why I have this, almost conitnual, bad taste in my mouth.
Bette in New York State
posted on
Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 12 Jun 2015
Answered on
Fri, 12 Jun 2015
Last reviewed on
Hi Dear,
Welcome to HCM.
Understanding your concern.
As per your query you loss of taste after quitting smoking after around 50 years is a matter you should not worried as 50 years was a long duration during which you did smoke which causes dullness on sense of your taste and smell.
Taste buds are sensitive little structures, but they are resilient too. As you kick the habit you will see a welcome change, but after few weeks once your taste buds will regenerate. Shortly after stopping smoking your body will improve its circulation and thus repair some of the damage that the cigarette smoke has caused.
You will find food tastes better. Not only do your taste buds work better, but your sense of smell improves too. That's important, since the aroma of food contributes a lot to the pleasures of eating.
Keep maintaining basic oral hygiene by brushing and flossing. Use antimicrobial mouth wash to prevent bacterial accumulation.
Hope your concern has been resolved.
Get Well Soon.
Best wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
Welcome to HCM.
Understanding your concern.
As per your query you loss of taste after quitting smoking after around 50 years is a matter you should not worried as 50 years was a long duration during which you did smoke which causes dullness on sense of your taste and smell.
Taste buds are sensitive little structures, but they are resilient too. As you kick the habit you will see a welcome change, but after few weeks once your taste buds will regenerate. Shortly after stopping smoking your body will improve its circulation and thus repair some of the damage that the cigarette smoke has caused.
You will find food tastes better. Not only do your taste buds work better, but your sense of smell improves too. That's important, since the aroma of food contributes a lot to the pleasures of eating.
Keep maintaining basic oral hygiene by brushing and flossing. Use antimicrobial mouth wash to prevent bacterial accumulation.
Hope your concern has been resolved.
Get Well Soon.
Best wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
I find this answer helpful
4 users find this helpful
Hi Dear,
Welcome to HCM.
Understanding your concern.
As per your query you loss of taste after quitting smoking after around 50 years is a matter you should not worried as 50 years was a long duration during which you did smoke which causes dullness on sense of your taste and smell.
Taste buds are sensitive little structures, but they are resilient too. As you kick the habit you will see a welcome change, but after few weeks once your taste buds will regenerate. Shortly after stopping smoking your body will improve its circulation and thus repair some of the damage that the cigarette smoke has caused.
You will find food tastes better. Not only do your taste buds work better, but your sense of smell improves too. That's important, since the aroma of food contributes a lot to the pleasures of eating.
Keep maintaining basic oral hygiene by brushing and flossing. Use antimicrobial mouth wash to prevent bacterial accumulation.
Hope your concern has been resolved.
Get Well Soon.
Best wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
Welcome to HCM.
Understanding your concern.
As per your query you loss of taste after quitting smoking after around 50 years is a matter you should not worried as 50 years was a long duration during which you did smoke which causes dullness on sense of your taste and smell.
Taste buds are sensitive little structures, but they are resilient too. As you kick the habit you will see a welcome change, but after few weeks once your taste buds will regenerate. Shortly after stopping smoking your body will improve its circulation and thus repair some of the damage that the cigarette smoke has caused.
You will find food tastes better. Not only do your taste buds work better, but your sense of smell improves too. That's important, since the aroma of food contributes a lot to the pleasures of eating.
Keep maintaining basic oral hygiene by brushing and flossing. Use antimicrobial mouth wash to prevent bacterial accumulation.
Hope your concern has been resolved.
Get Well Soon.
Best wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
I find this answer helpful
2 users find this helpful
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Smoking cessation
Loading Online Doctors....