Published on: 5/30/2025
What could be causing numbness in my tongue?
Numbness in the tongue can be caused by issues related to the brain or nerves that affect sensation. It's important to consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment, especially if the numbness is persistent or worsening.
Explanation
Numbness in the tongue might feel strange and can be caused by different things.
If tongue numbness only happens once in a while and improves without any treatment, it might be worth trying to identify if certain activities or exposures are related to the tingling. For example, eating some types of spicy food can briefly cause numbness in the tongue, but tongue numbness caused by spicy food should improve without any treatment.
If tongue numbness is persistent or worsening, possible causes may involve the brain or the nerves:
Brain-related causes: Sometimes, numbness in the tongue can happen because of problems in the brain, such as a stroke or other brain problems.
Nerve-related causes: The nerves that help you feel things on your tongue can also be affected. This might happen if there's damage or pressure on these nerves, leading to numbness.
If you're experiencing numbness in your tongue, especially if the numbness is persistent or worsening, it's a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider. They can help figure out what's causing it and what to do next. Remember, only a healthcare provider can give you personalized medical advice and treatment.
(References)
- Shimohata M, Watanabe Y, & Tanaka H. (2014). Numbness in the tip of the tongue and lower lip caused by .... Journal of stroke and cerebrovascular diseases : the official journal of National Stroke Association, 23602113.
- Sadler RM, Curran T, & Pryse-Phillips WE. (1986). Numbness of half of the tongue. The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques, 3719463.
- Chen WH, Yin HL, Lui CC, & Lin HS. (2011). Isolated numbness of the tip of the tongue in hemispheric .... Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology, and endodontics, 21497526.
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
For First Time Users
What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?
We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.
Learn more about symptoms
Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?
Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.