The popularity of vaping has skyrocketed over the last couple of years, but still very little is known about its potential health impact. 

With their fruity flavours and bright colouring, vapes may seem pretty low-risk, but that’s not necessarily the case.

For one thing, we don’t know what impact vaping could have in the long run, because they haven’t been around long enough to find out. And that’s not forgetting the short-term impact; as the use of vapes continues to grow, so too do reports of the potential side-effects.

Vaper’s tongue – also known as vaper’s fatigue – is one such side-effect. Here’s everything you need to know about the condition, including the potential causes and what to do if it happens to you. 

If you’ve ever noticed your sense of taste change or disappear while vaping, you might have experienced vaper’s tongue. It’s a term used to describe a reduction or loss in a person’s ability to taste flavours during or after vaping – and while alarming, it’s typically only temporary.

“Vaper’s tongue itself is not inherently dangerous – it’s more of an annoyance than a serious health risk,” explains Dr Rhona Eskander, dental expert at dentalphobia.co.uk. “While it can be frustrating, it typically does not pose a direct danger to one’s health.”

The only time it can pose a risk to your health is when it masks taste issues that “might be indicative of underlying oral health problems or even systemic health issues,” Dr Eskander adds. Because of this, it’s a good idea to visit your doctor or dentist to rule out any concerns if you experience ongoing problems while vaping or smoking. 

There are several reasons why experts believe this change or reduction in someone’s sense of taste can be affected by vaping. For example, some people are thought to be more prone to vaper’s tongue than others due to individual variability. Some other causes which have been linked to vaper’s tongue include:

1. Olfactory fatigue

Because our senses of taste and smell are linked, the strong aroma of certain vape ‘flavours’ can lead to our taste sense being dulled, too. This happens because of a condition known as olfactory fatigue.

“When you vape the same flavour for an extended period, the olfactory receptors in your nose can become accustomed to that specific aroma,” Dr Eskander explains. “As a result, you become desensitised to the flavour, and it may seem less pronounced or disappear temporarily.”

2. Overexposure to certain flavours

One of the reasons someone might experience vaper’s tongue more than someone else could be to do with the type of flavours they enjoy vaping, Dr Eskander suggests.

“Some e-liquid flavours, especially very strong or intense ones, can contribute to vaper’s tongue more than others. Constant exposure to these flavours can cause your taste receptors to become less sensitive to them.”

3. Dehydration

You might not be surprised to learn that vaping can contribute to dehydration – specifically dry mouth, which is a common side effect. This can put you at greater risk of developing vaper’s tongue.

“Dry mouth can reduce your ability to taste flavours since saliva plays a crucial role in tasting and helps to distribute flavour molecules to your taste buds,” Dr Eskander says. “When your mouth is dry, you may experience reduced taste perception as a result.”

4. Smoking history

While plenty of vapers haven’t touched a cigarette before, those who have may find their sense of taste is affected – especially when they first make the transition from smoking to vaping.

“Smoking can damage taste buds and olfactory senses, and it may take some time for these senses to recover,” Dr Eskander explains. “For former smokers who switch to vaping, this means the transition can sometimes lead to temporary taste issues.” 

Because vaper’s tongue is a temporary condition, it shouldn’t take long to get your senses back to normal. “To prevent or alleviate vaper’s tongue, vapers often switch to different e-liquid flavours, stay hydrated, and try smelling coffee beans or other strong, neutral scents to ‘reset’ their olfactory senses,” Dr Eskander explains.  

Unfortunately, vaper’s tongue isn’t the only oral health condition you need to be aware of while vaping. Dry mouth – which can put you at increased risk of cavities, gum inflammation and mouth sores – is one example of the impact vaping can have on your mouth.

“The ingredients in e-liquids, especially nicotine, can constrict blood vessels in the gums, contributing to gum problems and potentially slowing down the healing of oral wounds,” Dr Eskander says.

“Maintaining proper oral hygiene, staying hydrated, and considering alternatives or quitting altogether are essential steps to reduce the potential oral health impact of vaping. Regular dental check-ups can also help to monitor and address any emerging problems.” 

Images: Getty