Swollen Taste Buds

Taste buds, also known as papillae, are present on the surface of the tongue. The taste buds (or taste receptors) are made up of a bunch of receptor cells attached to a set of nerve bundles like the glossopharyngeal nerve and facial nerve. These taste buds help in detecting the various flavors or taste of the food that we eat. They detect the flavor of the food, differentiate the taste like whether the food item is pungent, sweet, sour or bitter and then transmit the information to the brain. The taste buds that detect sweet taste are located on the tip of the tongue, the salt taste buds are located on the either side of the tongue. The bitter taste buds are placed on the back of the tongue, while the taste buds that detect sour taste are situated on the lateral side of the tongue. Sometimes, due to the presence of foreign bodies or pathogens, these papillae may get infected and swell. There are many reasons for the occurrence of swollen taste buds. There are several triggers which may lead to inflamed taste buds and appropriate measures implemented will help get rid of this condition.

Reasons for Swelling in the Taste Buds

There are many known causes of sore tongue and taste buds. In the absence of timely diagnosis and treatment, the problem may worsen and cause burning sensation in the mouth. A few causative factors for this tongue related disorder are listed below

• One of the most common reasons for the eruption of sores on the tongue, both on the surface and the underside is eating very hot food, that may irritate or burn the papillae causing swelling.
• Having very spicy or salty food is also known to trigger swelling of the taste buds.
• Exposure to toxins like alcohol, tobacco smoke, insecticides, etc.
• Allergies to certain food stuffs or eating acidic foods like lemons, grapefruit, sauces.
• Another causative factor for tongue disorder is a gastric condition called acid reflux disease.
• Tongue or mouth ulcers due to thrush or any yeast infection can cause inflamed taste buds.
• Certain mineral or vitamin deficiency like B complex vitamin deficiency can also result in infected taste buds.
• Other factors are trauma caused to the tongue or taste buds by biting, infection or allergy in the stomach that may cause inflammation to the entire esophagus.

Treating Tumefied Taste Buds

The swelling of the taste buds may appear as small boils which may sometimes be white in color. As the infection aggravates, the taste buds may also turn a redder shade. Many people may suggest to just prick the swelling with a pin in order to get rid of these eruptions, but it is harmful, as it may lead to other complications like mouth ulcers or cause other tongue infections that may take time to heal. Hence, it is recommended NOT to try this method. Here are a few methods used as a cure to reduce the swelling and infection:

• The most important treatment for curing infected taste buds is to have a clean oral health. Proper dental care is essential in order to stop any unwanted infections.
• If the cause for swelling in the taste buds is eating spicy or very hot food, then you can eat ice cream or apply ice to reduce smarting of the tongue.
• Eating yogurt is also known to soothe the inflammation of the tongue and also treat yeast infections.
• If taste buds have welled up due to an infected cut or biting, then apply glycerin on the swollen area.
• In order to cure the affected taste buds which is an outcome of fungal or thrush infections, gargling the mouth with tea tree oil twice a day is an effective home remedy. It will also help to inhibit bacterial growth on the surface of the tongue, if any.
• Oil pulling with sesame oil is also an effective remedy, known to cure the problem in the taste buds and other oral diseases.
• A soup preparation using ginger, garlic and pepper, consumed twice a week fights infections in the mouth and also helps keep them at bay.

Swelling and inflammation in the taste buds can be cured once the cause is diagnosed. After following all the remedies, if you still experience irritation on the tongue, it is recommended to pay a visit to your physician, who may prescribe certain antibiotics like amoxicillin, in order to treat the infection. Antihistamines may also be recommended to combat allergens and reduce the swelling. Take care!