Here's the solution to the most commonly requested question: "What happens if I cut off a swollen taste bud?" Cutting a large taste bud can cause discomfort, bleeding, and an increased risk of infection. Taste buds are tiny, sensitive structures on the surface of the tongue that help people detect flavors and protect themselves from dangerous substances. Taste buds that are inflamed as a result of an injury, irritation, or infection usually recover on their own within a few days.