A leading UK dentist has issued a warning about a little-known condition known as "vape tongue," which can result in a complete loss of taste due to excessive vaping.
Dr. Stewart Beggs, a restorative dentist based in Chelsea, London, took to TikTok to alert his followers about this emerging problem. According to him, vape tongue is becoming more common, particularly among individuals using disposable, flavored e-cigarettes.
What Is Vape Tongue?
Vape tongue occurs due to reduced saliva production caused by nicotine-containing vapes, leading to severe dry mouth (xerostomia). This condition affects the taste buds, dulling or completely removing the ability to taste food and beverages.
Dr. Beggs explained:
"People end up absolutely caning these vapes, causing a massive nicotine intake and an extremely dry mouth, leading to complete taste loss."
Health Risks Linked to Vaping
Although vapes do not contain tar or the same harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, nicotine and other ingredients can still cause oral and systemic health problems.
Some side effects of vaping include:
✅ Mouth irritation and ulcers
✅ Headaches and nausea
✅ Persistent cough
✅ Increased risk of permanent lung damage, including collapsed lungs
✅ Fainting episodes linked to heavy vaping
✅ Cases of vomiting ominous green liquid
Additionally, alarming reports have surfaced of children as young as four being hospitalized due to vaping-related health issues.
Can Vape Tongue Be Reversed?
The good news is that vape tongue is reversible. Dr. Beggs reassures that reducing or quitting vaping can restore taste over time. He also advises:
✔️ Stay hydrated—drink plenty of water
✔️ Maintain good oral hygiene: brush, floss, and use a tongue scraper
✔️ Switch up vape flavors to prevent taste bud fatigue
Government Crackdown on Disposable Vapes
This warning comes as the UK government is set to ban single-use vapes from June 2025 to combat their rising use among youth.
NHS data reveals that a quarter of 11 to 15-year-olds in England have tried vaping, and nearly one in ten use e-cigarettes regularly.
While vapes have been historically promoted as a smoking cessation tool, their increasing popularity among non-smokers and teenagers has raised public health concerns.
Smoking remains one of the leading causes of illness and death in the UK, with 76,000 deaths annually due to smoking-related diseases, including heart disease, strokes, and cancer.
The NHS maintains that e-cigarettes are less harmful than smoking but strongly advises against non-smokers taking up vaping.