That strange pins-and-needles sensation or numbness you sometimes experience in your hands or feet can also affect your tongue. A numb tongue, or tongue paresthesia, can be unsettling, and while it might sometimes be due to something as simple as accidentally biting your tongue, it can also signal more serious underlying health issues, including stroke. Understanding the potential causes of a tingling or numb tongue is crucial for knowing when to seek medical attention and ensuring your well-being.
Here are some of the most frequent reasons why your tongue might feel numb and what you should do about it.
Stroke: A Medical Emergency
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to your brain is interrupted, often by a blood clot. This blockage prevents your brain from receiving the necessary oxygen, which can lead to nerve and muscle problems throughout the body, including the face and tongue. A tingling or numb tongue can be an early warning sign that a stroke is happening. In addition to numbness, a stroke can also cause your tongue to feel stiff or difficult to move.
Recognizing the other signs of a stroke is vital. These symptoms often appear suddenly and can include:
- Severe Headache: Especially if it comes on rapidly and is accompanied by a stiff neck.
- Vision Changes: Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes, or double vision.
- Speech Difficulties: Slurred speech, trouble finding words, or difficulty understanding others.
- Facial Drooping: Weakness or drooping on one side of the face, often noticeable when smiling.
- Weakness or Numbness: Sudden weakness or numbness in an arm, leg, or face, typically on one side of the body.
- Balance Problems: Trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, or coordination.
If you or someone you know experiences any of these stroke symptoms, it is critical to call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Stroke is a medical emergency, and prompt treatment is essential to minimize brain damage and improve the chances of recovery. Every minute counts in stroke treatment.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Tongue Numbness
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the protective myelin sheath that covers nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. This disruption in nerve communication can lead to a variety of neurological symptoms, including numbness and unusual sensations, which can affect the tongue and face.
In the context of MS, a numb or tingling tongue isn’t just a fleeting sensation. It can also contribute to other difficulties, such as making it harder to chew or swallow food properly. Furthermore, altered sensation in the mouth due to MS can increase the risk of accidentally biting your tongue or the inside of your cheek.
MS is a lifelong condition, but effective treatments are available to manage symptoms and slow disease progression. If you are experiencing persistent tongue tingling or numbness, especially alongside other symptoms, it’s important to discuss these concerns with your doctor. Early diagnosis and management of MS can significantly improve your quality of life and help reduce the frequency and severity of symptom flare-ups.
Beyond tongue numbness, MS can manifest in a wide range of other symptoms, including:
- Walking Difficulties: Muscle weakness, balance problems, and fatigue can impact mobility.
- Weakness: Muscle weakness in various parts of the body.
- Fatigue: Persistent and overwhelming tiredness.
- Vision Problems: Blurred vision or double vision.
- Dizziness and Vertigo: Feelings of unsteadiness or spinning.
- Urinary Issues: Frequent urge to urinate or difficulty emptying the bladder.
If you experience any of these symptoms, particularly in combination with tongue numbness or tingling, seeking prompt medical evaluation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
Nerve Damage After Dental Procedures or Tongue Piercings
Nerve damage is another potential cause of a numb tongue, and it can sometimes occur following dental work or tongue piercings. During dental procedures, especially those involving injections of local anesthetics, there’s a slight risk that a nerve or blood vessel might be inadvertently affected by the needle. This can lead to temporary tingling or numbness in the tongue. In most cases related to dental procedures, the numbness is temporary and resolves on its own within a few weeks as the nerve heals.
Tongue piercings, while a popular form of body modification, also carry a risk of nerve damage. The piercing process itself can directly injure nerves in the tongue. While nerve damage from piercings is often temporary, in some instances, it can be permanent. If you’ve had a tongue piercing and notice persistent tingling, altered taste, or difficulty moving your tongue, it’s important to seek medical advice.
Symptoms of nerve damage in the tongue can include:
- Tingling or Numbness: A persistent pins-and-needles sensation or loss of feeling.
- Altered Taste: Changes in your ability to taste flavors, or a metallic or unpleasant taste in your mouth.
- Difficulty Moving the Tongue: Weakness or impaired movement of the tongue.
While these symptoms often fade over time, it’s advisable to consult with your doctor to rule out any other underlying issues and ensure proper healing, especially if the symptoms persist or worsen.
In conclusion, while a numb tongue can sometimes be a harmless and temporary sensation, it’s important to be aware of the potential underlying causes. If you experience persistent or concerning tongue numbness, particularly if accompanied by other symptoms like headache, vision changes, weakness, or balance problems, seeking prompt medical attention is crucial. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference in managing both minor and serious conditions that can cause tongue numbness.
