There are many causes of tongue numbness. In the medical field, the condition is called paresthesia of the tongue, and it is most commonly caused by nerve damage. Damage to the brain, allergies, and pregnancy may also lead to numbness or tingling in the tongue. Multiple sclerosis and burning mouth syndrome can also cause paresthesia. A doctor should be consulted when someone experiences this symptom.
The most common cause of tongue numbness is nerve damage. Paresthesia is the medical term for numbness or a tingling sensation caused by nerve damage. It can affect any part of the body, including the tongue. The most common cause of nerve damage to the tongue are botched dental procedures like wisdom tooth extractions, root canals, or implants.
Another common cause of tongue numbness is brain damage or trauma. A stroke is an example of brain damage that can affect the nerves of the tongue. Blunt trauma to the head can also cause nerve damage that would result in numbness. The nerves in the brain affect the entire body, including the face and tongue. When nerve damage occurs in the brain for any reason, it can cause numbness or tingling in the tongue.
Allergies are another very common cause of tongue numbness. Food allergies will often cause tongue swelling or numbness. A common side effect of some antibiotics is the formation of blisters on the tongue, which is followed by numbness and tingling. Anyone experiencing these side effects should consult a doctor and change prescriptions if possible.
Pregnancy can also occasionally cause tongue numbness. It is very common for women to develop allergies during pregnancy, which can cause numbness, tingling, or swelling in the tongue. Numbness is commonly experienced in just about every part of the body during pregnancy for various reasons, including high blood pressure and water retention.
Burning mouth syndrome also causes tongue numbness. The cause of this disorder is not known, but its side effects include burning sensations and numbness in the tongue, lips, and gums. Hormonal imbalance or nutritional deficiency, particularly of vitamin B12, are believed to contribute to the onset of burning mouth syndrome.
Multiple sclerosis is another, less common cause of tongue numbness. Multiple sclerosis, also known as MS, is a neurological disorder that can cause numbness in many parts of the body, including the tongue. This numbness can cause speaking disorders and also can debilitate the capacity to detect the temperature of food, increasing the likelihood of burns.
