Wisdom teeth removal found to have long-term consequences

Wisdom teeth removal can improve taste perception years later.

As reported by BAKU.WS with reference to a study by the Center for Smell and Taste Research at Pennsylvania State University (USA), people who underwent the procedure 20 years ago, on average, have a finer distinction of food taste.

Scientists analyzed data from 1255 patients who regularly underwent taste sensitivity tests for two decades. Among them, 891 people had their wisdom teeth removed, while others did not.

The results showed: those who had their third molars removed had a 3-10% higher ability to distinguish tastes. In one of the tests, participants had to identify the taste of solutions of sucrose, salt, citric acid, and caffeine in different concentrations. People without wisdom teeth performed notably better on the task, especially women.

The exact causes of this phenomenon are still unknown. Researchers suggest that wisdom teeth removal may damage nerve endings of taste receptors in the front of the oral cavity. In response, the sensitivity of other receptors intensifies over time. This hypothesis will need to be tested in future studies.