Tongue numbness, medically referred to as paresthesia, describes a sensation of reduced feeling, tingling, or a prickling sensation in the tongue. This experience can range from a mild, fleeting discomfort to a more pronounced and persistent loss of sensation. While encountering such a feeling in the tongue can be unsettling, it is often a temporary symptom. Understanding the various reasons behind this sensation can help in determining its significance.
Temporary Causes of Tongue Numbness
Minor physical impacts can lead to temporary tongue numbness. Accidental biting of the tongue, consuming excessively hot foods or drinks, or minor burns from very cold substances can irritate nerves and tissues on the tongue. This localized trauma results in temporary dulling of sensation that resolves as tissue recovers.
Dental procedures often induce temporary tongue numbness due to local anesthetics, which block nerve signals. Nerves, such as the lingual nerve, might also experience irritation or compression during procedures like wisdom tooth extractions or deep fillings. Numbness generally subsides once the anesthetic wears off or nerve irritation resolves, usually within a few hours to days.
Mild allergic reactions can cause localized irritation or slight swelling on the tongue, leading to tingling or numbness. This can occur after exposure to certain foods, food additives, or oral hygiene products. The reaction is usually confined to the mouth and fades once the allergen is no longer present.
Certain dietary components can affect tongue sensation. Highly acidic foods, such as citrus fruits or vinegar, can irritate the tongue’s papillae, leading to tingling or numbness. Excessive consumption of spicy foods containing capsaicin can overstimulate pain receptors, which may be perceived as temporary numbness as the tongue recovers.
Underlying Medical Conditions
Lingering or recurring tongue numbness can indicate a medical issue, often involving the nervous system or nutritional balance. Damage or compression of nerves, such as the lingual nerve (which supplies sensation to the anterior two-thirds of the tongue), can cause persistent numbness. This can result from surgical procedures, tumors, or trauma to the nerve pathway.
Neurological events like migraines can sometimes include an aura phase that presents with sensory disturbances, including numbness or tingling in the face or tongue, prior to the headache onset. Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease affecting the central nervous system, can also cause sensory symptoms, including numbness in various body parts, which may involve the tongue as a manifestation of nerve demyelination. Transient Ischemic Attacks (TIAs), often called “mini-strokes,” or full strokes are serious causes where sudden tongue numbness, especially if accompanied by facial drooping, weakness on one side of the body, or difficulty speaking, signals an urgent medical emergency.
Nutritional deficiencies can impair nerve function and lead to sensory changes. A deficiency in Vitamin B12, which is crucial for nerve health and myelin formation, commonly results in paresthesia, including numbness or tingling in the tongue and extremities. Imbalances in electrolytes like calcium (hypocalcemia) or magnesium (hypomagnesemia) can also disrupt nerve signaling, causing tingling or numbness in the mouth and around the lips.
Systemic conditions can also contribute to tongue numbness. Diabetes, through its long-term impact on nerves (diabetic neuropathy), can cause sensory symptoms, including numbness that may extend to the tongue. Hypothyroidism, where the thyroid gland does not produce enough hormones, can lead to swelling and nerve compression, sometimes resulting in paresthesia.
Oral infections like oral thrush (Candida albicans fungus) can irritate the tongue and alter sensation, sometimes leading to numbness or a burning feeling. Burning Mouth Syndrome is a chronic condition characterized by a persistent burning sensation, often including associated numbness or tingling without any visible irritation or specific underlying cause identifiable through standard tests.
Certain medications can also list tongue numbness as a side effect. Some antibiotics, blood pressure medications, or chemotherapy drugs can interfere with nerve function or cause temporary sensory disturbances. Patients experiencing new or worsening numbness after starting a new medication should discuss this with their healthcare provider.
Anxiety and panic attacks can also induce temporary sensory changes. During intense anxiety, hyperventilation can occur, decreasing carbon dioxide levels in the blood. This physiological change can cause tingling or numbness, often felt in the hands, feet, and around the mouth or tongue.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Immediate medical attention is necessary if tongue numbness appears suddenly, particularly with other concerning symptoms. These include sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, vision changes, or a sudden facial droop. These combined symptoms could indicate a stroke or TIA, requiring urgent evaluation.
Consult a medical professional if tongue numbness is persistent, progressively worsening, or does not resolve within a few days. Accompanying symptoms like severe pain, unexplained swelling of the tongue or mouth, difficulty breathing, a new rash, or unexplained weight loss also warrant prompt medical assessment. Any numbness that significantly interferes with daily activities like eating, speaking, or swallowing should also be brought to a doctor’s attention. If an individual has a known underlying medical condition and experiences new or escalating tongue numbness, consult their healthcare provider to assess whether it signifies a change in their condition or a new complication.