It can happen to anyone. One day you're relishing your fave e-cig flavour and the next day your puffs are bland and boring. You know your e-cig isn't faulty and your e-juice is definitely fresh, so what's the deal? It could be the feared Vapers Tongue. This is when you lose the ability to taste your e-liquid, and it's known to happen. Vapers Tongue can last a day or sometimes it can last for several weeks. Luckily, it isn't permanent, and we'll touch on some causes and treatments below.
Vaping the same flavour too long.
This cause requires you expanding on your variety of e-juice collections. By switching up your flavours regularly, you'll experience more incredible taste sensations and avoid flavour loss.
Atomiser needs changing.
The atomiser coils inside your e-cig or kit can become covered in grime and dirt over time. This buildup can burn, resulting in a bitter taste in your mouth. It can also dull your tastebuds. Make sure you check the wick and coils for dirt regularly. If you are using a disposable vape, it's a good idea to replace it every so often.
You've recently switched from smoking.
If your issue is not vaper's tongue, but rather the typical loss of smell and taste caused by smoking, just give it time – you'll be enjoying the full flavour of your e-juices once this problem disappears. As many people turn to vape as a healthier alternative to cigarettes, it is common knowledge that smoking can diminish your taste and smell.
Damaged taste buds.
Unfortunately, taste buds can get damaged, and this can lead to vaper's tongue. Causes include smoking, infections, alcohol, sour foods, spicy foods and even some medications. Fortunately, taste buds heal themselves, As we've seen, it can take up to two weeks for taste buds to regrow, so it could be a little time before you fully regain your sense of taste.
Blocked nose or the common cold.
Our sense of smell and taste go hand in hand to distinguish different flavours. To be specific, almost 70% of what you taste is due to being able to smell. So, a common cold or flu can be the cause of a decreased sense of taste. Over the counter remedies or medicines for cold symptoms don't help either. If you have a slight case of the sniffles and this is causing a blocked nose, you should expect to return to normal taste levels once this has passed.
Mouth Dryness and Dehydration.
Drinks containing caffeine (like coffee) and alcohol cause a dry mouth almost immediately. They make you urinate more frequently, and this requires substantial amounts of water intake. These drinks can aggravate and prolong Vapers Tongue. Consider increasing your water intake to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated will also boost saliva production, which helps your tastebuds.
Reset your palate.
Carbonated Water. (also known as soda water, club soda, sparkling water or fizzy water) can help get rid of vapers tongue. Maybe it's the fizzing sensation that wakes up the taste buds. Still, this method seems to be a popular one despite the lack of scientific explanation! Oral hygiene also means keeping your tongue clean and fresh. Invest in a tongue cleaner available from most chemists. It's designed to keep your tongue clean by gently removing any residue, and this will go a long way in resetting your palate.