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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Tongue & Teeth > Damage taste buds?
Posted on: 06/28/2007
Question
how do people damage taste buds?
Answer
Taste buds are located on the papillae (all those little bumps) on your tongue. There are thousands of them located on your tongue, and they send messages to your nose (an important part of tasting) and your brain. Your taste buds "recycle" about every 2 weeks, so even if you damage them, they usually grow back. Anything that damages the little bumps on your tongue can damage your taste buds: hot liquids, freezing, or a cut, for example. Another very important source of damage to the taste buds is smoking. As you get older, some of your taste buds stop "recycling," so younger children often have a much stronger taste sensation than adults.