What might cause my cheek to be numb?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Numbness in the cheek is most often caused by infraorbital neuropathy, a condition affecting the infraorbital nerve that supplies sensation to the cheek and lower eyelid. Other potential causes include nerve compression, trauma, dental issues, sinus infections, or in rarer cases, tumors or cancer affecting the facial nerves. It may also occur as part of numb cheek syndrome, which specifically impacts the cheek and lower eyelid area.

Because cheek numbness can stem from causes ranging from minor nerve irritation to serious underlying conditions, identifying the source early is important. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand what may be behind your symptoms and guide you toward the right next steps—whether that means monitoring at home or seeing a specialist.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn why numb cheek symptoms happen Find out if numb cheek needs care Discover possible causes of your numb cheek See OTC options for numb cheek relief Find a doctor for cheek numbness Understand home remedies for numb cheek Check if cheek numbness needs urgent care

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Explanation

Feeling numbness in your cheek can happen for a few reasons. One common cause is infraorbital neuropathy. This condition affects a nerve called the infraorbital nerve, which is responsible for feeling in the cheek area. When this nerve has a problem, it can make your cheek feel numb.

Another cause could be related to certain medical conditions. For example, in some cases, people with breast cancer have experienced numbness in their cheek. This happens when cancer affects nerves in the head or face.

There is also something known as "numb cheek-limp lower lid" syndrome. This condition not only causes numbness in the cheek but can also make the lower eyelid droop. This might happen due to nerve issues in the face.

If you are experiencing cheek numbness, it is important to talk to a healthcare professional. To help understand what might be causing your symptoms, you can start by taking a free symptom checker test that can provide helpful insights before your appointment.

(References)

Campbell WW Jr. (1986). The numb cheek syndrome: a sign of infraorbital neuropathy. Neurology, 3951714.
Tan Z, & Tan SY. (2024). Numb cheek syndrome in breast cancer: a case report. Frontiers in oncology, 38529381.
Brazis PW, Vogler JB, & Shaw KE. (1991). The "numb cheek-limp lower lid" syndrome. Neurology, 1992387.

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