It is not uncommon for vaper's to experience a sensation known as ‘vaper's tongue’ at some point, and while it may be a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things, it can really put a dampener on your day! In this post we will be discussing how and why vaper's tongue occurs, and some top tips for overcoming it.
So, what is vaper's tongue?
E-cigarette users may sometimes find that for no apparent reason they can no longer taste the flavour of their e-liquid, or find it no longer tastes the same.
There are a number of things that can cause a person’s sense of taste to become dulled or to change. One of the main things that vaper's suspect to be the cause is using the same flavour e-liquid for too long. Although that particular flavour may be your favourite all day vape, prolonged use can lead to no longer being able to taste the flavour.
Some other, slightly more scientific reasons for vaper's tongue could be damage to your taste buds or a problem affecting your sense of smell. If you have recently switched from smoking to vaping you may find that you struggle to taste some of the e-liquids you try.
This is because smoking can cause damage to your taste buds, dulling your ability to taste more muted e-liquids. This can also be said for those who both smoke and use an e-cigarette, after smoking, your sense of taste can be impaired. If you are considering kicking the habit for good and want some advice take a look at our 'Switching made simple' guide.
In some cases, vaper’s tongue can simply be caused by dehydration, which can obviously lead to more serious problems if not addressed. It is always recommended that you drink enough water every day, whether you are experiencing a problem or not.
You may have noticed that when you are feeling under the weather food and drink doesn’t taste quite as good. This is because your sense of smell plays a big part in how things taste. If you are suffering from a blocked nose you may find that your e-liquid tastes different or that you can barely taste it at all.
Our tips for combatting vaper's tongue
Vaper’s tongue will usually go away on its own over time, your taste buds heal quickly and it will often only last a week or two. But there are a few things you can try to help it along:
- Kick the habit – if you are still smoking, it would be beneficial in more ways than one to consider giving up smoking altogether. Take a look at our post 'The effects of smoking on the body' to read more on the subject.
- Switch up your flavour – if you have been using the same e-liquid for a while, a little change could make a big difference. Who knows, you may even find something you like more!
- Cleanse or shock your senses – similar to smelling fresh coffee beans between testing perfumes, a palette cleanser can help to reawaken your senses. If you don’t fancy a strong cup of coffee, you can also try sucking on a wedge of lemon, using mouthwash, or vaping a strong menthol flavour to help reset your taste buds.
- Stay hydrated – if you are guilty of not drinking enough water, vaper's tongue could be your body's way of telling you to grab a glass of water! This is especially important during these hot summer months and it is recommended that the average adult should drink two litres of water per day.
If you find that the issue persists beyond a couple of weeks, and you are struggling to taste food and drink as well as just your e-liquid, it may be an idea to pay your GP a visit as this could be a sign of a different issue.
For more vape related advice take a look at our handy how to guides, or pop in to your local Evapo store and speak to a member of our team.
