eli5 why can you not taste when your tongue is numb if taste and touch are two different senses?

Question

After having some dental work, I have found myself wondering.

In: 12

Answer 1

All 5 of the main senses (a lot more have been identified but that’s another topic) require nerves to carry information to your brain. When the area is numb, the nerves are being prevented from doing this. So your brain isn’t receiving the information, even if the stimulus is present (in the case of taste, the stimulus is your food).