Your mouth is a pretty incredible thing. There are tons of moving parts and various systems at play, so the chances of a little thing happening that you don’t really understand are pretty great. Like those occasions when you get a little bump on the tip of your tongue. You’re pretty sure it’s a taste bud, but why is it doing that?
In this article, we’ll take a look at swollen taste buds and what can cause your taste buds to become swollen, how you can treat them naturally, and everything in between. This is your guide to everything about swollen taste buds.
What Causes Swollen Taste Buds?
So, your tongue has a small sore spot near the tip of it. You take a look in the mirror and sure enough, it’s a swollen taste bud. But what actually caused it? It could be one of a few things, as there are numerous swollen taste bud causes. Most of the causes are fairly harmless, but there are a couple that you may want to watch for. Here are some of the causes of swollen taste buds.
1. Food Allergies
It could be something as simple as a food allergy that’s causing your taste bud to swell.
2. Infection
Swollen taste buds can be the result of a simple viral infection, or something like herpes simplex virus 1.
3. Spicy Foods
Swollen taste buds could be the result of eating spicy foods. The spices can irritate the tastes buds, causing them to be inflamed and swollen.
4. Smoking
Smoking can irritate taste buds, as well as other organs in the mouth.
5. Medication
Swollen taste buds can be the result of the side effects of a medication you are taking.
6. Trauma
Various traumas can cause swollen taste buds. Traumas, like burning your mouth with hot food, or biting your tongue or scrapes, can all cause swollen taste buds.
7. Stress
Believe it or not, stress can cause your taste buds to swell as well. Stress can express itself with physical symptoms, including swollen taste buds.
8. Dry Mouth
A dry or dehydrated mouth can cause the taste buds to swell. When the mouth is dry, it can be more susceptible to irritation.
9. Vitamin B Deficiency
One of the symptoms of having a vitamin B deficiency is swollen taste buds. It can also lead to other mouth issues, like mouth ulcers and sore throats.
Now that you know what some of the causes are for swollen taste buds, it’s time to try and get rid of them. Luckily, there are plenty of home remedies that may reduce the swelling and inflammation of swollen taste buds.
Natural Treatments for Swollen Taste Buds
The thing about swollen taste buds is that they are annoying. Even if they don’t really hurt, you can feel them every time you eat or drink something. Basically, the first thing you want to do when a swollen taste bud happens, is get rid of it. But how do you get rid of a swollen taste bud? As it so happens, there are a number of natural swollen taste bud treatments that you can use to get rid of that pesky swollen taste bud.
1. Watch What You Eat
This applies mainly to those who experience swollen taste buds as a result of allergies or spicy food. Try to avoid those foods that cause your taste buds to become swollen. It’s as simple as that.
2. Hydrate
If your swollen taste buds are due to dry mouth and mild dehydration, the best way to calm the inflammation is to hydrate yourself. Water will help reduce the inflammation, and get the mouth back in proper working order.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt with probiotics can also help reduce the inflammation of swollen taste buds, especially those that are swollen due to dry mouth.
4. Honey
Honey has many antibacterial properties. It can help clean out mild infections and inflammation on a taste bud, which can help reduce the swelling. Just place a dab on the area of the tongue that needs it, or make a honey rinse with water, and swish it around the entire mouth.
5. Salt Water
A salt water solution (approximately one teaspoon per glass of warm water) can be used to help rinse out the bacteria and infectious materials from the mouth. For best results, do this a couple of times a day for a week.
6. Ice
Much like you would for most any other swelling on the body, ice can help reduce the swelling. The only thing to remember, is that it’s a little trickier with the tongue. If you leave the ice on the tongue too long, it can actually do further damage.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used to reduce inflammation and swelling in a taste bud, and can neutralize any gastric acids that may be causing further swelling.
8. Tea Tree Oil
Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with warm water, and then gargle the concoction to help cure a swollen taste bud. Please note to watch the mixture, as too much tea tree oil may cause hallucinations, and generally does not taste very good.
These natural solutions may do the trick, but if you become concerned about the swollen taste bud, or that one of these remedies may have adverse effects, double check with your doctor before using
Also Read:
Pimple on Your Tongue: Treating Your Lie Bumps
them. But how much time should it take for a taste bud to heal?
Healing Time of Swollen Taste Buds
You’ve followed a couple of our swollen taste bud cures, but you aren’t sure if they are working or not. At what point should you call a doctor? How long do swollen taste buds last? That all depends on what’s causing them to be swollen in the first place.
Taste buds that are swollen due to spicy food or an allergy, will probably disappear fairly quickly, especially with treatment. If the taste bud is swollen due to infection, it probably won’t go away until the infection has been taken care of. And that can be an issue. Some infections may be stubborn, and the home remedies we’ve listed may not be able to take care of them, at which point a doctor and medication may be required.
If a swollen taste bud hasn’t begun to die down within a week of treatment, it may be best to see a doctor, because left untreated, a mouth infection can do much more damage than just a swollen taste bud. If it worries you at any point before then, go see a doctor. There are several medications and rinses that are available via prescription that will most likely help you if the natural remedies can not.
Swollen Taste Buds Are Annoying!
Swollen taste buds are annoying at best, painful at their worst. But hopefully, we’ve given you the tools to combat them. We’ve told you why they happen and how to treat swollen taste buds on the tongue. Moreover, we’ve even given you some idea about at what point you should consider medical attention, before something much worse occurs in your mouth than a simple annoying bump. This should cover all of your bases the next time one of those little bumps appears on the tip of your tongue.
Also Read:
Pimple on Your Tongue: Treating Your Lie Bumps
Tongue Ulcers: Causes and Treatments
Sources
Cucic, A., “Swollen Taste Bud on Tip of Tongue,” Med Health Daily; http://www.medhealthdaily.com/swollen-taste-bud-on-tip-of-tongue/
“Inflamed Taste Bud,” MDDK; http://mddk.com/inflamed-taste-bud.html.