Oral Numbness
(Diseases)
This page will help answer your questions about Oral Numbness
What is Oral Numbness?
It is an abnormal sensation that may cause feelings of numbness or tingling around the mouth, lips, and tongue, and sometimes a burning sensation in the mouth.
- This condition, also known as lip numbness, can arise from various causes. Some mild causes include accidentally biting the tongue, lip, or cheek, or consuming very hot or spicy foods and drinks. In these cases, the numbness usually disappears on its own within a few days.
It is important to identify the exact underlying cause to determine the appropriate treatment and relieve the discomfort.
- What Are the Causes of Oral Numbness?
- Allergic Reaction:
- Food allergy: Certain foods or medications may cause allergic reactions leading to swelling and inflammation that put pressure on the nerves, resulting in numbness in the mouth, lips, or tongue. This may be accompanied by symptoms such as hives, itching, or difficulty breathing.
- Medications: Some drugs, such as local anesthetics, can cause temporary numbness around the mouth.
- Vitamin and mineral deficiency: A lack of certain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, calcium, or potassium, may lead to numbness due to their essential role in nerve health.
- Neurological disorders:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS): A condition that affects the central nervous system and may cause numbness in the face and mouth.
- Seizures: Depending on the type of seizure, abnormal sensations such as tingling or numbness may occur in the face or mouth.
- Nerve inflammation: Inflammation of nerves around the mouth can cause tingling or numbness.
- Facial nerve palsy (Bell’s palsy): Can cause tingling and numbness around the mouth, difficulty smiling, and weakness on one side of the face.
- Dental or oral injuries: Numbness may occur after dental surgeries, such as tooth extraction or jaw surgery, due to nerve irritation or injury.
Anxiety and stress: Emotional tension or stress can cause muscle tightening or affect the nerves, leading to facial or oral numbness.
Circulatory disorders: Reduced blood flow to the mouth or face, as seen in stroke or arterial narrowing, may cause numbness in these areas.
Infections: Some infections, such as oral herpes, can cause tingling or numbness in the lips and mouth before the appearance of blisters.
How Is Oral Numbness Managed?
The main cause of mouth numbness is determined based on the underlying reason. If the cause is an allergy, it is advised to avoid the triggering substances and use anti-allergy medications. In cases of vitamin deficiency, nutritional supplements should be taken after consulting a doctor. If the numbness is caused by a neurological disorder, treatment requires medications that improve nerve health.For dental injuries, the numbness may recover on its own after healing, but this can take some time.If the cause is anxiety or stress, relaxation techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises may help reduce the numbness.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Seek medical attention if the numbness persists or is accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swallowing,, or if it occurs after an injury or surgery, to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ):
Does oral numbness cause difficulty breathing?
