Dentist issues warning over ‘Vaper’s Tongue’

A dentist has issued a warning over ‘Vaper’s Tongue’.

Yep, just when you thought you’d heard all the reasons why quitting vaping could be a good idea, here’s another thrown into the mix.

The UK is looking to have a crackdown on the addictive devices as a mega number of teens puff away on the colourful bars.

In order to try and lower the number of children using vapes, the government is looking to tighten up restrictions.

There could be less flavours available, a ditch of disposable vapes and an increase in prices as a result of the eight-week consultation.

While e-cigarettes are recommended to those trying to quit smoking, it doesn’t mean they’re totally good for your health.

Young children have been left in comas from the things and one mum is convinced she lost her teen to vapes.

And while they’re said to actually be harder to quit than regular cigarettes, you might want to think about ditching that mad blue on your desk.

Getty Stock Image

In case you weren’t put off them already, a dental expert at dentalphobia.co.uk has warned of the effects of ‘vaper’s tongue’.

Dr Rhona Eskander says: “It refers to a loss or reduction in a person's ability to taste flavours when vaping.

“Vaper's tongue, or the temporary loss or reduction in the ability to taste flavours when vaping, can occur for several reasons when using vape devices.”

Those reasons include ‘olfactory fatigue’ which is when you become ‘desensitised to the flavour’ because of your nose.

It can also occur because of: ‘Overexposure to Certain Flavours’, dehydration, individual variability and smoking history.

While vaper’s tongue is an ‘annoyance’ and ‘frustrating', it is ‘not inherently dangerous’.

It’s more of a ‘temporary and reversible condition’, so it doesn’t typically pose a direct danger to your health.

Getty Stock Image

The dental expert does add: “However, the concern with vaper's tongue lies in the potential for it to mask other health issues. In some cases, persistent or severe taste issues might be indicative of underlying oral health problems or even systemic health issues.

“Therefore, if a person experiences ongoing taste problems while vaping or using any other tobacco or nicotine products, it's important to consult a healthcare professional or dentist to rule out more significant health concerns.”

To prevent vaper’s tongue, Dr Eskander recommends switching to different flavours and staying hydrated.

They also recommend: “Try smelling coffee beans or other strong, neutral scents to 'reset' their olfactory senses.”

Topics: Vaping, UK News, Health

Jess Battison

Jess is an Entertainment Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include keeping up with the Twitter girlies, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021 and has previously worked at MyLondon.

@jessbattison_