What could lead to numbness in both the mouth and tongue?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Numbness in the mouth and tongue is often caused by nerve-related conditions such as burning mouth syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, or lingual nerve damage. Other common causes include vitamin deficiencies (B12, folate), allergic reactions, oral infections, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or stroke. Because these causes range from minor to serious, identifying the underlying issue quickly is important.

Since mouth and tongue numbness can signal anything from a simple deficiency to a neurological emergency, guessing isn't safe. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to clarify possible causes and confidently plan your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Discover why your mouth feels numb See if tongue numbness needs care Find out likely causes of numbness Explore OTC relief for mouth numbness Find a doctor for tongue numbness Learn home remedies for mouth numbness Understand if numbness could be serious

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Explanation

Numbness in the mouth and tongue can be a result of different conditions. One such condition is Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS), which can cause feelings of burning, tingling, or numbness in the mouth. This condition can be quite uncomfortable and is often chronic.

Another possible cause is Trigeminal Small-Fiber Sensory Neuropathy. This condition affects the small nerve fibers in the face and can lead to symptoms such as burning, tingling, or numbness. These sensations might be similar to those experienced in BMS, but they are due to nerve issues.

Additionally, Oral Neuropathy can be associated with certain medications or other underlying health conditions. This type of neuropathy can cause numbness or altered sensations in the mouth and tongue.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, you can use a free symptom checker to help identify potential causes before consulting with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate treatment.

(References)

(2014). Burning mouth syndrome (glossalgia). Terapevticheskii arkhiv, 24757710.
Lauria G, Majorana A, Borgna M, Lombardi R, Penza P, Padovani A, & Sapelli P. (2005). Trigeminal small-fiber sensory neuropathy causes burning .... Pain, 15911160.
Kouri M, Rekatsina M, Vadalouca A, Viswanath O, & Varrassi G. (2024). Oral Neuropathy Associated with Commonly used .... Current pain and headache reports, 39052182.

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