That pins-and-needles sensation or numbness you might feel in your hands or feet can also occur in your tongue. A tingling tongue can be unsettling, and while it’s sometimes due to minor issues like accidentally biting your tongue, it can also signal more serious underlying health conditions. Understanding the potential reasons behind this symptom is crucial for knowing when to seek medical attention.
Here are some of the common causes of a tingling tongue, ranging from less concerning to more serious, and guidance on how to address them.
Stroke
A stroke is a critical medical emergency that happens when the blood supply to your brain is interrupted, often by a blood clot. This blockage prevents your brain from receiving the oxygen it needs, which can impact nerve function throughout the body, including those controlling your face and tongue. A tingling tongue can be an early indicator of a stroke because the disruption in blood flow can affect the nerves responsible for sensation in your mouth.
Beyond tingling, a stroke can manifest in other ways affecting your tongue, such as numbness or difficulty in moving it. Recognizing the broader spectrum of stroke symptoms is vital for prompt action. Other warning signs of a stroke include:
- Severe Headache: Especially sudden onset and accompanied by a stiff neck.
- Vision Changes: This can include blurred vision, double vision, or sudden vision loss in one or both eyes.
- Speech Difficulties: Trouble speaking clearly, slurred speech, or difficulty understanding what others are saying.
- Facial Drooping: Weakness or drooping on one side of the face, often noticeable when smiling.
- Weakness or Numbness: Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, typically on one side of the body.
- Balance Issues: Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination problems.
If you suspect you or someone nearby is having a stroke, it’s imperative to call emergency services immediately (911 in the US). Every minute counts in stroke treatment, and quick intervention can significantly improve the chances of recovery and minimize long-term damage.
Alt text: Illustration depicting a brain affected by stroke, highlighting the blood clot obstructing blood flow and damaging brain tissue.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease where your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the protective myelin sheath that covers nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This damage disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of the body. Numbness and unusual sensations, such as tingling, are common symptoms of MS and can affect various parts of the body, including the tongue and face.
MS can also impact oral motor functions, making chewing and swallowing more challenging. This can inadvertently increase the likelihood of accidentally biting your tongue or the inside of your cheek. While MS is a lifelong condition, various treatments are available to manage symptoms and slow disease progression. If you are experiencing a tingling tongue along with other potential MS symptoms, it’s crucial to discuss these concerns with your doctor for proper diagnosis and management. Medications and therapies can help reduce the frequency and severity of MS flare-ups.
MS presents with a wide range of symptoms that vary from person to person. Besides tingling sensations, other common symptoms of MS include:
- Walking Difficulties: Muscle weakness, balance problems, and fatigue can make walking challenging.
- Muscle Weakness: Weakness can occur in different parts of the body and can fluctuate.
- Fatigue: Persistent and overwhelming tiredness that is not relieved by rest.
- Vision Problems: Blurred vision, double vision, optic neuritis (inflammation of the optic nerve).
- Dizziness and Vertigo: Feeling lightheaded, unsteady, or experiencing a spinning sensation.
- Urinary Issues: Urgent need to urinate, frequent urination, or difficulty emptying the bladder.
Seeking prompt medical evaluation is essential if you experience any of these symptoms, particularly if they are persistent or worsening.
Alt text: Diagram illustrating the impact of multiple sclerosis on nerve cells, showing myelin sheath damage and disrupted nerve signals.
Nerve Damage
Nerve damage, or neuropathy, can occur for various reasons and can directly lead to a tingling sensation in the tongue. In the context of oral health, nerve damage is sometimes associated with dental procedures or tongue piercings.
Dental Work: During dental procedures involving local anesthesia, there’s a slight risk of a dentist inadvertently hitting a nerve or blood vessel while administering the numbing injection. This can result in temporary nerve irritation and a tingling sensation in the tongue. Fortunately, in most cases related to dental work, the tingling is temporary and resolves on its own within a few weeks as the nerve recovers.
Tongue Piercings: Tongue piercings, while a form of body art, carry the risk of nerve injury. The piercing process itself can damage nerves in the tongue, and in some instances, this damage can be permanent. Individuals with tongue piercings may experience persistent tingling, altered taste perception, or difficulty with tongue movement. While symptoms often diminish over time, it’s important to consult a doctor to assess the nerve damage and rule out any complications.
If you experience persistent or concerning tingling in your tongue, especially if it follows a dental procedure or tongue piercing, seeking medical advice is recommended to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate guidance.
