A sensation of numbness or tingling on the tongue, medically termed paresthesia, can manifest as a feeling of pins and needles, a diminished sense of touch, or even a complete loss of sensation. This experience is a common occurrence, ranging from a temporary and harmless event to a potential indicator of a more significant underlying health concern. Understanding the various reasons why your tongue might feel numb can help in determining when medical attention may be beneficial.
Transient Numbness
Tongue numbness can often be a temporary, localized sensation that resolves without intervention. A frequent cause is dental anesthesia, commonly administered as lidocaine, articaine, or bupivacaine, which temporarily blocks nerve signals during procedures. The duration varies by type and amount used, typically lasting a few hours, depending on individual metabolism and the injection site.
Accidentally biting the tongue can lead to temporary numbness. While most bites are minor, persistent numbness may indicate nerve irritation. Consuming very hot foods or drinks can cause a burn, leading to temporary tingling or numbness as tissue recovers. Spicy foods, containing compounds like capsaicin, can also induce a temporary numbing effect by stimulating pain receptors.
Temporary nerve compression can also contribute to transient tongue numbness. For example, a pinched nerve in the C-spine (cervical spine) can disrupt sensory signals to the tongue, leading to tingling or numbness, often on one side. This numbness is often short-lived, resolving as pressure on the nerve is relieved, and may be accompanied by neck pain.
Systemic Health Conditions
While temporary causes for tongue numbness are common, this sensation can also indicate more significant underlying medical conditions that affect the body’s systems. These conditions often involve nerve damage, inflammation, or disruptions in blood flow, necessitating professional diagnosis and management.
Neurological Conditions
Neurological conditions frequently present with tongue numbness. A stroke, caused by interrupted blood flow to the brain, can cause sudden tongue numbness or tingling, often with facial droop, speech difficulties, or one-sided weakness. Multiple sclerosis (MS), where the immune system attacks nerve fibers, can lead to tongue numbness or unusual sensations, potentially affecting chewing and swallowing. Bell’s palsy, causing sudden facial muscle weakness or paralysis, may involve one-sided tongue numbness and altered taste, as it affects the facial nerve. Nerve damage from trauma or medical procedures, such as dental work or jaw fractures, can also result in persistent tongue numbness.
Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders are another category of systemic conditions that can cause tongue numbness. Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease affecting moisture-producing glands, can lead to dry mouth, sore tongue, and nerve-related symptoms like numbness or tingling, potentially extending to the tongue. Systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus) can also cause neurological symptoms, including numbness and tingling in the face and tongue, as the immune system attacks healthy tissues.
Infections
Infections can sometimes trigger tongue numbness. The varicella-zoster virus, causing shingles, can reactivate and affect cranial nerves, such as the trigeminal, leading to pain, tingling, or numbness in the face and potentially the tongue. Severe oral infections might also impact nearby nerves, resulting in localized numbness.
Other Systemic Diseases
Other systemic diseases can contribute to tongue numbness. Diabetes, particularly diabetic neuropathy, can cause nerve damage manifesting as numbness, tingling, or burning sensations, commonly affecting extremities but also potentially the tongue. Some individuals experiencing severe migraines with aura might report transient numbness or tingling in the lips, tongue, face, and hands, typically resolving within an hour. These varied systemic causes underscore the importance of a comprehensive medical evaluation when tongue numbness persists or occurs alongside other symptoms.