If you’re new to vaping, you may encounter various terms and expressions that might not be immediately understandable. This highlights the evolution of vaping into its unique subculture, complete with a complex vocabulary that can be challenging for newcomers or those unfamiliar with vaping. The positive news is that gaining familiarity with vaping terminology doesn’t take long. “Vaper’s tongue” is a term unique to the vaping subculture, but what does it actually mean?
COMPREHENDING VAPER’S TONGUE
When someone experiences vaper’s tongue, they suddenly lose or partially lose their sense of taste, making it difficult to perceive vape flavours clearly. Although this taste bud muting can last for several days, there’s no need to panic. While it can be frustrating not to taste flavours, the good news is that this condition is reversible. Before delving into how to address it, it’s essential to understand the causes of vaper’s tongue, as outlined below.
OVERUSING THE SAME FLAVOR
E-liquids offer a wide array of flavours, numbering in the hundreds. Even for selective palates, finding a suitable flavour is feasible. However, prolonged use of a particular flavour without switching between them is a common cause of vaper’s tongue.
DEHYDRATION
Vaping, due to ingredients like propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG) in vape juice, often leads to dry mouth. Prolonged vaping without sufficient water intake can hinder smell and taste receptors, contributing to vaper’s tongue.
ANXIETY/STRESS
The connection between heightened stress levels, anxiety, and altered olfactory and gustatory perception isn’t fully understood. However, some individuals experience a loss of taste and smell during periods of stress and anxiety.
TOBACCO USE
Smoking negatively affects oral health, dampening activity in smell and taste receptors, which are closely linked. If one is affected, the other’s normal functioning is compromised. Continuing to smoke while vaping can negatively impact flavour perception.
COMMON TREATMENTS FOR VAPER’S TONGUE
Addressing vaper’s tongue or reducing its duration involves common-sense approaches considering its causes. Time can be a remedy, but abstaining from vaping for about two or three days may be challenging for nicotine users. Fortunately, alternative remedies exist, as outlined below.
PRACTICE GOOD ORAL HYGIENE
Regular brushing, including the back of the tongue, promotes good oral health and reduces the likelihood of vaper’s tongue.
SWAP OUT YOUR FLAVORS
While enjoying a favourite vape flavour is natural, regularly changing flavours helps prevent a compromised sense of taste.
HYDRATE
Increased water intake counters dehydration caused by e-liquid components, helping maintain taste and smell receptors.
AVOID CIGARETTES
Avoiding the combination of vaping and smoking reduces the risk of vaper’s tongue, emphasizing vaping as a smoking substitute.
SUCK ON A LEMON
Lemon’s bitterness can awaken taste buds, providing relief.
SMELL SOME COFFEE
Whiffing coffee beans can reset the olfactory senses, similar to how lemon refreshes taste buds.
In conclusion, while it isn’t life-threatening, it compromises the enjoyment of vaping. The treatments mentioned are worth trying, particularly for nicotine users who may find it challenging to go without their regular fix for even a few hours.
