Tongue numbness, or paresthesia, can be caused by nerve damage, brain damage, allergies, pregnancy, burning mouth syndrome, or multiple sclerosis. Botched dental procedures and food allergies are common causes, while burning mouth syndrome and MS are less common. Consult a doctor if experiencing this symptom.
There are many causes of tongue numbness. In the medical field, the condition is called tongue paresthesia and is most commonly caused by nerve damage. Brain damage, allergies, and pregnancy can also lead to numbness or tingling in the tongue. Multiple sclerosis and burning mouth syndrome can also cause paresthesias. A doctor should be consulted when anyone 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 is botched dental procedures such as 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 in the tongue. Blunt trauma to the head can also cause nerve damage that would lead to numbness. 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 often cause swelling or numbness in the tongue. A common side effect of some antibiotics is blistering of the tongue, followed by numbness and tingling. Anyone experiencing these side effects should see a doctor and change prescriptions if possible.
Pregnancy can also occasionally cause numbness in the tongue. It is very common for women to develop allergies during pregnancy, which can cause numbness, tingling or swelling of the tongue. Numbness is commonly experienced in nearly every part of the body during pregnancy for various reasons, including high blood pressure and water retention.
Burning mouth syndrome also causes numbness in the tongue. 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, especially vitamin B12, are thought 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 disease that can cause numbness in many parts of the body, including the tongue. This numbness can cause speech impairment and can also debilitate your ability to sense the temperature of food, increasing the likelihood of burns.
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