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What Causes Loss Of Sense Of Taste After A Head Trauma?
Question: I fell at work and hit my head on the floor 3 months ago. I can't taste anything and my teeth hurt?
Brief Answer:
Should be checked for upper airway infections.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Loss of taste may at times be a consequence of head trauma. I do not think it is due to a brain lesion as there would be other signs but damage to the peripheral olfactory nerve (nerve which transmits smell) fibers due to skull fractures is potentially possible. However it depends from the type of trauma, usually would be a severe trauma, involving facial bones. So if not so, say a hit in the back of the head it is really unlikely.
As for the teeth hurting I find it really difficult to relate to the head trauma unless again there was a direct major hit on the face, no brain lesion is anatomically related to such a symptom.
I think you should have an exam of the oral and nasal cavities by your physician. Infections of the sinuses, nasal cavity, teeth (even not related to the hit) do affect the smell receptors and would justify your symptoms.
If no such issue is found, if the hit was not direct to the face, then I would consider a psychological origin as well.
A neurological exam would be indicated as some conditions like Parkinson's or some tumors may manifest loss of sense of smell, reason for which a MRI might be scheduled. But that wouldn't be related to the hit on the head and doesn't justify the teeth hurting, so if symptoms started together directly after the trauma then as I said might be more psychological.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Should be checked for upper airway infections.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.
Loss of taste may at times be a consequence of head trauma. I do not think it is due to a brain lesion as there would be other signs but damage to the peripheral olfactory nerve (nerve which transmits smell) fibers due to skull fractures is potentially possible. However it depends from the type of trauma, usually would be a severe trauma, involving facial bones. So if not so, say a hit in the back of the head it is really unlikely.
As for the teeth hurting I find it really difficult to relate to the head trauma unless again there was a direct major hit on the face, no brain lesion is anatomically related to such a symptom.
I think you should have an exam of the oral and nasal cavities by your physician. Infections of the sinuses, nasal cavity, teeth (even not related to the hit) do affect the smell receptors and would justify your symptoms.
If no such issue is found, if the hit was not direct to the face, then I would consider a psychological origin as well.
A neurological exam would be indicated as some conditions like Parkinson's or some tumors may manifest loss of sense of smell, reason for which a MRI might be scheduled. But that wouldn't be related to the hit on the head and doesn't justify the teeth hurting, so if symptoms started together directly after the trauma then as I said might be more psychological.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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