Why does my mouth feel tingly and numb?
You might be familiar with numbness inside the mouth, which usually occurs due to anesthesia used during dental procedures. Tongue tingling and numbness without using any numbing agents is rare. If your mouth is tingling without a clear reason, you might be worried. Here, we discuss health reasons.SelMagzWe will introduce you to various causes and suggest treatment methods.
Main causesTongue tingling
Unusual sensations and loss of feeling
Oral paresthesia is a type of abnormal sensation in the mouth, which can cause burning, itching, swelling, or a burning feeling. Hyperesthesia in the mouth means increased sensitivity, while hypesthesia indicates loss of sensation. People experiencing this type of numbness can feel various stimuli inside the mouth, such as temperature, touch, or pressure, but often can’t perceive them clearly.
Causes of mouth numbness and tingling
You might notice an unfamiliar feeling in your mouth or no sensation at all. These common issues are often related to oral and dental conditions that can affect the whole body, which we will review here.
Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia refers to low calcium levels in the blood, which can cause numbness around the mouth or other body parts. This often happens to people with insufficient parathyroid gland function or severe deficiencies.Vitamin D deficiencyand related issues.
Vitamin deficiency
Lack of B12 vitamins or folate may cause mouth numbness. These vitamins help keep your nerves healthy, and insufficient levels can cause burning sensations in the mouth.
Hypoglycemia
Mouth or tongue numbness is a common symptom of hypoglycemia, which is low blood sugar.This mainly affects people taking insulin or other medications to manage diabetes.Factors such as skipping meals, overusing medications, or not consuming enough carbohydrates can lead to low blood sugar levels.Multiple sclerosisMS is a nervous system disease that can cause numbness in the face and other areas. It may cause mild to severe numbness, and sufferers might bite their tongue or inside their cheeks while eating.Psychological conditionsIn another article in the mental health section, SelMagz mentions that mouth numbness can also result from psychological factors. Psychogenic causes are related to individuals with anger, anxiety, or depression, often involving the tongue.
Nerve-related numbness
Reports show that nerve-related mouth numbness, often after dental or surgical procedures, can be a cause. After a dental appointment, individuals might feel their lips, cheeks, tongue, or inside the mouth are numb or different in sensation.
Allergic reactions
Some people experience allergic reactions in the mouth after eating fruits or vegetables. These reactions, known as oral allergy syndrome, can cause burning sensations in the mouth.SeizuresSeizures can affect specific areas of the brain, leading to various symptoms depending on the affected part. Unusual feelings like tongue burning or numbness may be related to seizures.Syndrome of Burning MouthBurning mouth syndrome can be linked to specific, complex medical conditions. It causes sensations of burning, itching, or numbness, often due to nerve damage or other medical issues such as oral infections, diabetes, or acid reflux.Oral cancerIn rare cases, mouth numbness can be a sign of oral cancer.
Oral cancer
Can affect the tongue, gums, and other areas inside the mouth. This type of cancer is often related to alcohol, tobacco use, or infection.
Diagnosis and treatment of mouth numbness
To determine the cause of mouth numbness, you should see a doctor or dentist. They will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and perform tests if needed.Tests include allergy evaluations,blood tests,
and other examinations as deemed necessary by your doctor.
Once the cause is identified, the doctor will explain treatment options.For example, if vitamin deficiency is the cause, they will prescribe supplements. If psychological, anti-depressant medications may help.Treatment for oral cancer may involve surgery and radiotherapy.
In such cases, your healthcare provider will give detailed information about the treatment plan.
Various conditions can cause mouth numbness, but treatments are always available. If your mouth feels numb, schedule an appointment with your dentist or doctor.
Reasons for tongue tingling and numbness
Tongue tingling and numbnessReasons for mouth numbnessCauses of tongue tingling and numbness
Depression
Impact of depression on health
Treating mouth numbnessCauses of mouth numbnessSmoking
Negative effects of smoking
Tongue tingling and numbnessReasons for tongue numbnessVitamin D deficiency
Causes of mouth tingling
Normal blood sugar levels
Managing diabetes
