What Is Vapers Tongue?
Posted by Courtney McElligott on Aug 22nd 2017
What is vaper's tongue, what causes it, and how you can fix it
If you have been vaping for a while, or you have ramped up how often you vape, chances are you have run into vaper's tongue at some point. At first you might not even realize it. The early sign is simple: your favorite e-liquid just doesn't taste as good as it used to. It usually doesn't last long. One to three days is normal, and anything much longer than that is worth a closer look. Most vapers hit it now and then, and the good news is the fixes are easy.
A lot of what you're experiencing is your sense of smell, not just your tongue. Taste and smell are tied together, and when your nose gets fatigued, flavors flatten out. You may not notice vaper's tongue in the early stages, but it tends to stand out once it gets more pronounced.
Common causes of vaper's tongue and how to fix them
Too much of the same flavor
If you have been hitting the same e-liquid flavor for a long stretch, your taste buds can get desensitized to it. Your brain stops registering a flavor it sees all day.
Give it a break and switch to something on the opposite end of the flavor map. If you have been on creams or vanillas, jump to a fruit or citrus. The contrast wakes your palate back up. Keeping a menthol or mint on hand as a palate cleanser between your regular flavors works well too, since mint hits different receptors.
Old or poorly stored e-liquid
That bottle won't last forever. If you have been working through a large bottle, the flavor can fade from age or from being stored badly.
Store e-liquid in a cool, dark spot and keep the cap sealed tight so it isn't exposed to air. If a bottle is getting old, it may be time to toss it and grab a fresh one. If you can't finish a large bottle before it ages out, buy smaller bottles instead.
Dehydration
Water matters more than most people give it credit for, and no, energy drinks don't count as a swap. A dry mouth means less saliva to carry flavor to your taste buds, so things taste muted. Vaping can dry your mouth a little on its own, which adds to it.
Sip water through the day, and take a few sips between vaping sessions. Caffeine and alcohol both dry you out, so go easy on those if your flavor has gone flat.
Oral hygiene
Buildup on your tongue can sit right on top of your taste receptors and dull what you're tasting. Brushing your tongue or running a tongue scraper over it twice a day clears that coating and is one of the quickest things to try.
Colds, congestion, and being under the weather
When you're stuffed up or fighting a cold, your e-liquid is going to taste off no matter what's in the bottle, because so much of flavor runs through your nose. Once you're feeling better and your sense of smell comes back, your flavors usually come back with it. If a loss of taste or smell drags on well past a normal cold, that's a question for your doctor, not your vape.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does vaper's tongue last?
For most people it clears up within one to three days, and often faster once you switch flavors and drink more water. In some cases it can take up to a week or two. If a loss of taste hangs on much longer than that, it's worth checking with your doctor.
What is the fastest way to get my taste back?
Switch to a completely different flavor profile. If you have been on dessert or cream flavors, grab a fruit or a menthol. The contrast resets your palate quickly. Pair that with drinking plenty of water and giving your tongue a quick brush or scrape.
Does menthol help with vaper's tongue?
Many vapers find it does. Menthol and mint stimulate different receptors than your usual sweet or fruity flavors, which is why a lot of people keep one around as a palate cleanser between regular e-liquids.
Can old e-liquid cause flavor to fade?
Yes. E-liquid loses some flavor over time, especially if it's been left in heat, light, or with the cap loose. Store bottles cool, dark, and sealed. If a bottle has been open a long time and tastes flat, replacing it usually fixes the problem.
How do I keep vaper's tongue from coming back?
Rotate between two or three flavors instead of running one into the ground, keep water nearby through the day, and stay on top of basic oral hygiene. Rotating flavor categories is the single best long-term habit for keeping your palate sharp.
Does an unflavored e-liquid help reset my palate?
It can. Vaping an unflavored or very plain e-liquid for a day or two gives your taste buds a full break from the flavor you have been overexposed to, which acts like a reset before you go back to your usual juice.
These products are intended only for adults 21+. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. This article is general product information and is not a smoking-cessation claim.