Teeth do not directly contribute to the sense of taste. The sense of taste is perceived mainly by the taste buds located in the tongue, palate, intraoral cheeks and upper throat. Here is more detailed information about how the sense of taste works and which structures play a role in this sense:

How Does the Sense of Taste Work?

Taste Buds:

• Taste buds include taste-sensing cells in the tongue and oral cavity. These buds, concentrated in different parts of the tongue, consist of receptor cells that detect tastes. The human tongue has approximately 2,000 to 8,000 taste buds, which interact with taste molecules and transmit taste signals to the brain.

Regions Where Taste Buds Are Found:

• Tongue: There are taste buds on the tongue, especially on small protrusions called papillae.
• Cheeks and Palate: There are taste buds inside the mouth, on the cheeks and on the upper part of the palate.
• Throat and Larynx: There are fewer taste buds in these areas.

Flavor Types:

Humans can detect five basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami (savory). These tastes are perceived by taste buds in different parts of the tongue and transmitted to the brain.

Tasting Process:
1. Detection of Taste Molecules:
When foods are chewed or beverages are taken into the mouth, taste molecules dissolve in saliva and interact with receptor cells in the taste buds.

2. Neural Transmission:
Receptor cells in taste buds produce nerve signals when they interact with taste molecules. These signals are transmitted to the brain via the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII), glossopharyngeal nerve (cranial nerve IX), and vagus nerve (cranial nerve X).

3. Taste Perception in the Brain:
Taste signals reach the taste centers in the brainstem and from there to the regions of the brain that process the sense of taste (gustatory cortex). The brain analyzes these signals and creates a specific taste sensation.

Role of Teeth:

Teeth do not directly contribute to the sense of taste, but they can indirectly influence the taste experience: 

Chewing and Mechanical Processing: By chewing and mechanically breaking down food, teeth allow taste molecules to be released and interact with taste buds.

Saliva Production: The process of chewing increases saliva production by stimulating the salivary glands. Saliva helps dissolve taste molecules and reach the taste buds.

The sense of taste is perceived mainly by the tongue and taste buds in the oral cavity, and the teeth mechanically assist in this process. Taste molecules interact with taste buds to create nerve signals, which are transmitted to the brain, thus creating a taste sensation. Impaired or altered sense of taste is usually caused by problems with the taste buds or nervous system, not by dental problems.