Taste buds are small structures found on the tongue. They are called as papillae in medical terms and are responsible in detecting the taste of what you eat and drink. Generally there are 5 major elements in taste including sweet, salt, sour, bitter and umami. But there are many combinations of these major elements that give us variety of taste and flavor in each food. Taste buds are also found in upper esophagus, soft palate and the cheeks. It is said that there are about 2000-8000 buds in the tongue located liberally throughout the tongue.
It is not true that each area of the tongue has different taste buds and accordingly it would be able to sense suitable tastes. Taste buds are detected through the epithelium layer of the tongue through small openings. When food gets in contact with these taste receptors it sends suitable signals to the brain and cranial nerves and thus we are able to recognize the food as sweet or sour and much more.
Sometimes these taste buds gets inflamed and become enlarged or swollen. The small structure of papillae gets swollen due to inflammation causing sores on the tongue and even other parts of the mouth and throat. Various factors like eating hot/spicy foods, mouth infection, physical injury, dental procedures and lack of vitamins and nutrients can cause swollen taste buds. Treatment for swollen taste buds is to make small changes in eating habit and in avoiding allergic foods.
Symptoms :
Swollen taste buds can be identified by red/white sores on the tongue, pain and irritation. The taste buds would become inflamed and enlarged. The surface of the tongue would change its color becoming red. In addition it may cause painful sores on the tongue and sore throat. The person might lose tasting function since the papillae would get inflamed. Red spots can be seen here and there on the tongue surface and even on the back of the tongue. In severe case it can cause throat pain and difficulty in swallowing.