Despite vaping being much newer to the market when compared to smoking, we're already warned about the dangers of those addictive little sticks people keep putting in their mouths. With research ongoing, the long-term health effects of vaping still aren't known.
If battling with nicotine addiction wasn't bad enough, dentists are now warning about the potentially worrying 'vaper's tongue'.
Vaping can have a shocking effect on your body after just a matter of seconds, but according to dentalphobia.co.uk's Dr. Rhona Eskander, we need to be looking out for 'vaper's tongue'.
Eskander says vaper's tongue is the effect where you can't taste the flavor of vape juice, sometimes known as 'vaper’s fatigue'.
Advert
Vaping tends to lure people in, especially of a younger demographic, due to its bright colors and attractive flavors like cherry cola bottle. Even the wild flavors ranging from garlic to crab legs have their fans.
Berry-flavored vapes are supposedly the ones that are the worst for your body, but in general, you're warned to steer clear of them all.
Explaining Vaper's Tongue, Eskander said it’s a condition that affects those who use e-cigarettes and vapes: "It refers to a loss or reduction in a person's ability to taste flavours when vaping.
Advert
“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."
Our sense of taste is linked to our sense of smell, and while many things can cause vaper's tongue, olfactory fatigue is a big one.
This is where your body becomes used to the same flavor and taste over a long period of time, meaning the olfactory receptors in your nose become accustomed to it. Overexposure to certain flavors, dehydration, smoking history, and even individual variability can all lead to vaper's tongue. Although it's 'not inherently dangerous', it might be enough to put you off.
There are some concerning chemicals in these liquids, and if we can't taste them, that should be a warning sign.
Advert
If you're suffering from vaper's tongue, try not to worry too much because it's only temporary and tends to go away after a couple of days.
To combat it, switch to different e-liquid flavours, keep yourself hydrated, and try sniffing a strong-smelling aroma like coffee beans to 'reset' your olfactory senses.
Still, Eskander concludes by saying that vaper's tongue could be hiding something much worse.
Advert
She concluded: "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."
As we saw from the YouTuber who tried to purposefully get himself addicted to vaping, there can be some serious short-term side effects before we even get to the long-term risks to your brain and lungs.