Tongue numbness refers to an abnormal sensation in the tongue. It can involve a partial or complete loss of feeling, or unusual sensations like tingling or prickling. While often temporary and harmless, it can sometimes signal a more significant underlying health issue.
Temporary and Benign Causes
Several common and typically harmless factors can lead to temporary tongue numbness. Dental procedures frequently cause this sensation, especially after local anesthesia. Minor nerve irritation during dental work, such as drilling or fillings, can also cause numbness. These effects usually subside within a few hours.
Accidentally biting the tongue can also result in temporary numbness from minor trauma. Extremely hot or cold foods and beverages can temporarily affect nerve endings, causing reduced sensation. Highly acidic or spicy foods might also irritate the tongue, leading to transient numbness. Temporary nerve compression from sleeping in an unusual position can also cause numbness, typically resolving once pressure is relieved.
Underlying Medical Conditions
More persistent or concerning instances of tongue numbness can stem from various underlying medical conditions. Neurological disorders are a significant category; conditions like multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause nerve damage that disrupts sensory pathways. A transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke may also present with sudden tongue numbness, often accompanied by other symptoms such as sudden weakness, vision changes, or difficulty speaking. Bell’s Palsy, which affects facial nerves, can sometimes extend to affect sensations in the tongue.
Nutritional deficiencies can also impact nerve health and lead to tongue numbness. A deficiency in vitamin B12 is a common cause, as this vitamin is crucial for healthy nerve function. Other B vitamins can also contribute to nerve issues if deficient. Direct injuries to the tongue or surrounding nerves, such as from an accident or surgical procedures, can result in prolonged numbness due to nerve damage.
Allergic reactions to foods, medications, or environmental substances can cause tongue numbness, often with swelling of the tongue, lips, or face, and potentially difficulty breathing. Certain infections, such as oral herpes, can affect nerve pathways, causing sensory changes in the tongue. Some medications list tongue numbness as a potential side effect, including certain antibiotics or drugs for high blood pressure. Systemic diseases like diabetes can lead to peripheral neuropathy, a type of nerve damage that may affect the tongue. Certain autoimmune diseases can also contribute to such sensory disturbances.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Seek immediate medical attention if the numbness appears suddenly, especially if accompanied by other neurological symptoms like weakness on one side of the body, changes in vision, difficulty speaking, or facial drooping. These could indicate a stroke or TIA. Persistent numbness lasting more than a few hours or a day, without a clear benign cause, also warrants professional assessment.
Numbness that worsens progressively or begins to spread to other parts of the mouth or face should prompt a medical visit. If tongue numbness is accompanied by swelling of the tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, or problems swallowing, this could indicate a severe allergic reaction requiring emergency care. Any instance of tongue numbness following a head or neck injury should also be evaluated by a doctor. If you have a known underlying medical condition that could explain nerve issues, and you experience new or worsening tongue numbness, consulting your healthcare provider is advisable.
Diagnostic Approaches
When investigating the cause of tongue numbness, a doctor typically begins with a comprehensive medical history. This involves asking about the numbness’s onset, duration, characteristics, and any other symptoms, recent medications, or dental procedures. A thorough physical examination follows, often including a neurological assessment and a detailed oral examination of the tongue and mouth.
Depending on the initial findings, various diagnostic tests may be recommended. Blood tests can help identify nutritional deficiencies or detect signs of infection or inflammation. If a neurological cause is suspected, imaging studies like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) scans of the brain or neck might be performed to visualize nerve structures or rule out conditions like stroke or tumors. Nerve conduction studies can assess the speed of electrical signals through nerves. Allergy testing may be conducted if an allergic reaction is suspected.