Tongue numbness, or paresthesia, is an unusual sensation affecting the tongue. It can manifest as tingling, prickling, a pins-and-needles feeling, or a complete absence of feeling. Sensations like burning, buzzing, or swelling may also occur. While often painless, this abnormal sensation indicates an underlying issue rather than a condition itself. The tongue’s rich nerve supply makes it particularly sensitive to such changes.
Common and Temporary Causes
Accidental injury is a frequent and often temporary cause of tongue numbness. Biting the tongue or experiencing a minor burn from hot food or drinks can temporarily damage nerve endings, leading to a numb or tingling sensation. These minor injuries typically heal on their own, and the numbness resolves as the tissue recovers.
Dental procedures are another common source of temporary tongue numbness. Local anesthesia temporarily blocks nerve signals, causing numbness in the tongue and surrounding areas. Nerve irritation or damage, particularly to the lingual nerve during procedures like wisdom tooth extraction, can cause prolonged numbness. Most lingual nerve injuries from dental work improve within about three months.
Allergic reactions can also cause sudden tongue numbness or tingling. This might happen after consuming certain foods, medications, or dental products. The immune system’s response can lead to sensations like itching, tingling, or swelling in the mouth and tongue.
Anxiety and stress can manifest as physical symptoms, including a tingling or numb tongue. When the body enters a “fight-or-flight” response, it can cause temporary numbness or tingling sensations in various body parts, including the tongue. Hyperventilation, often associated with panic attacks, can lead to changes in blood chemistry that trigger such sensations.
Underlying Health Conditions
Persistent or recurring tongue numbness can indicate more significant underlying health conditions. Neurological disorders often affect the nerves responsible for sensation. For instance, multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition where the immune system attacks the protective covering of nerves, leading to symptoms like numbness in the tongue, hands, or feet. A stroke, which involves a disruption of blood flow to the brain, can also cause sudden numbness or weakness, including in the tongue, often on one side of the body. Damage to specific nerves, such as the lingual nerve, from injury or disease can directly impair sensation in the tongue.
Nutritional deficiencies, particularly a lack of certain B vitamins, can impact nerve function and lead to tongue numbness. A deficiency in vitamin B12, for example, can cause nerve damage that results in tingling or numbness in the tongue and other extremities. Iron and folate deficiencies can also contribute to such symptoms. These deficiencies are more common in individuals on restricted diets or those with absorption issues.
Systemic conditions like diabetes can affect nerve health throughout the body, including the tongue. High blood sugar levels over time can lead to diabetic neuropathy, damaging nerves and causing numbness or tingling. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is another metabolic issue that can cause a numb or tingling feeling in the tongue or lips, often accompanied by other symptoms like shakiness or anxiety. Autoimmune diseases, where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, can also be a cause. Conditions like lupus can lead to nerve problems that manifest as tongue numbness.
Infections can sometimes cause tongue numbness, particularly if they affect facial nerves. Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, can lead to nerve inflammation and pain, and if it affects nerves supplying the tongue, it may result in numbness. Oral infections like thrush or conditions causing dry mouth can also irritate tongue nerves and contribute to tingling sensations.
Medication and Substance-Related Factors
Certain medications can list tongue numbness or tingling as a side effect. Some antibiotics, blood pressure medications, and chemotherapy drugs are known to cause these sensations. These effects are typically dose-dependent and may resolve once the medication is stopped or adjusted.
Recreational drug use can also induce tongue numbness. Certain substances can affect the nervous system or cause localized vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to the tongue and leading to temporary numbness. The specific effects depend on the type and amount of substance consumed.
Exposure to toxins, such as heavy metals, can damage nerves and result in paresthesia, including in the tongue. Certain food additives or chemicals might also trigger temporary tongue numbness or tingling. These reactions are linked to specific exposures and resolve once the substance is eliminated.
When to Seek Professional Medical Advice
It is important to seek medical advice if tongue numbness is persistent or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. Numbness that appears suddenly, extends to the lips or jaw, or has no clear reason warrants evaluation. If the numbness is accompanied by symptoms such as weakness, difficulty speaking, vision changes, or facial drooping, it could signal a stroke or another serious medical emergency, requiring immediate medical attention.
A visit to a healthcare professional is also advisable if the numbness worsens or interferes with daily activities like eating or speaking. While many causes of tongue tingling are benign and resolve on their own, a medical assessment helps determine the underlying cause. A doctor may conduct a medical history review, a physical examination, and recommend blood tests or imaging studies to reach a diagnosis. Early detection can lead to appropriate treatment.