Swollen Taste Buds: Treatment And Causes of Taste Bud Swelling

Question:

How long does it take for inflamed and swollen taste buds to go away?

Answer:

Swollen Taste Bud

Taste buds are small papillae present on the surface of the tongue. They are very tiny to be seen individually and they are present in large number on the surface of the tongue. As the name suggests these tastes buds help in detecting the flavor and the taste of the food we eat. Taste buds detect whether the food is sweet, pungent, bitter or sour and transmit the message through the nerve endings of facial nerve to the brain.

• Taste buds that detect sweet taste are present on the tip of the tongue.
• Taste buds that detect bitter taste are present on the back of the tongue.
• Taste buds that detect salty taste are present on the sides of the tongue
• Taste buds that detect sour taste are situated on the lateral side of the tongue.

Causes of swollen taste buds

• Mistakenly eating very hot food, causes irritation and burn on the taste buds, leading to inflammation and swelling
• Eating spicy food also causes swollen taste buds
• Exposure to irritants like alcohol, tobacco or other chemicals like lime can cause swollen taste buds
• Mouth ulcers, or yeast infection can also cause inflamed taste buds
• Vitamin deficiency can also cause impairment in taste bud functions
• Swollen taste bud can also be the result of tongue bite, or any other trauma to the tongue.

Treatment of Swollen Taste Buds

• Swollen taste buds generally heal within few days, but it is very important to know the cause of this swelling.
• If there is a cut or a bruise on the tongue caused due to tongue bite, apply glycerin on the surface of the tongue and then spit it out after some time instead of swallowing. Do this procedure thrice in a day.
• Eating ice cream or applying ice on the tongue can ease the taste bud swelling caused due to spicy food or acidic foods or irritants.
• Yogurt can also help in relieving the swelling of taste buds, yogurt contains microorganisms which balance the environment of oral mucosa.
• If there is associated thrush or fungal infection, gargle with tea tree oil.
• You can take vitamins especially vitamin B complex simultaneously while following other methods
• If the swelling does not subside within few days, consult the doctor to rule out any other cause.