Smell and Taste Loss

Okay, that's helpful information because those symptoms may help explain why you have trouble with taste.

For example:

- Redness or a sore feeling in the mouth could be due to infection or inflammation, which can impair the sense of taste; potential causes include herpes and Coxsackie virus infections and vitamin B12 deficiency

- A white coating on the tongue and lining of the mouth may be due to thrush (a yeast infection in the mouth)

- Dental procedures or implants can impair the sensation of taste, although usually only temporarily

- Dryness of the mouth (a condition called SICCA) can be due to age, Sjogren's syndrome (an autoimmune condition), medications, dehydration, and other reasons

Just a few more questions:

Do you smoke? Are you over the age of 65?

Yes, I smoke and/or am over age 65.

Nope, I don't smoke and I'm 65 or younger.