Featured Image Alt Text: Woman with bright red lips and open mouth wondering to herself, why is my tongue tingly?
If your tongue is tingling, and giving you a pins-and-needles sensation or even going numb for short or long periods, you naturally may be wondering: "why is my tongue tingly?" As mentioned, a tingling tongue could involve that uncomfortable pins and needles feeling, burning or numbness, and in the worst case all three symptoms. There are many different causes of a tingly tongue, some of which require medical attention and some of which simply require time to pass until your tongue is no longer tingling. With many different possible causes, it's best to consult with a medical professional if you want peace of mind from wondering is a tingling tongue serious. Keep reading to learn more about the causes of a tingling tongue and how to address this issue.
First things first -- let's look at some of the most common causes of a tingly tongue.
Certain dental procedures pose a risk of damaging the lingual nerve in your mouth. The lingual nerve is what's connected to feeling at the front of your tongue and most often gets damaged during wisdom tooth removal.
Thankfully, approximately 90% of these nerve injuries are temporary and heal themselves. Damage to the lingual nerve can be indicated by a tingling tongue, a change in how food or drink tastes, and/or a prickling sensation in the tongue.
Though these symptoms should go away within about eight weeks it's always advisable to consult a medical professional if you have persistent concerns. Certainly see a medical professional if your tongue is tingling longer than six months after any dental procedure.
If you are allergic to foods or medicines, allergies could be the answer to "what causes a tingly tongue?" for you. If you feel your tongue swelling, call 911 or go to the ER right away because you might be in danger of your airways closing.
Other indicators that allergies are the reason why your tongue is tingling include:
A tingling tongue could be caused by a stroke, that can leave your tongue tingly or make it difficult for your tongue to move. This is an example of when a tingling tongue is serious. A stroke is caused by blood clots cutting off blood flow to your brain, which could cause a tingling tongue if there was nerve damage from your brain not getting a good amount of oxygen. If your tingling tongue is caused by a stroke, you might also notice that your tongue is difficult to move. If you have a tingling tongue and any of the following symptoms, call 911 right away, as a stroke is a medical emergency:
Some medications might cause a tingling tongue, especially if they're orally ingested. However, the tingling should go away once you stop taking the medication. If you have started a new medication and your tongue has recently started tingling, consult your prescription bottle or doctor for side effects to see if your medication is what causes a tingling tongue. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if the side effect is severe enough to be disruptive.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a condition that attacks your nerves and can cause a tingling tongue. This is a lifelong condition that requires lifelong treatment. If you experience a tingling tongue with any of the following symptoms, there's a possibility that your tingling tongue is serious and you should see a doctor. Other MS symptoms include:
If you've recently burned your tongue on hot food or drink and are wondering "why is my tongue tingly," your recent meal or drink is likely to be blamed. Your tongue might continue to tingle as the burn heals and any concerns around "is a tingling tongue serious?" can thankfully be put to rest, as you're likely to just be recovering from the burn.
Anemia occurs when red blood cells in the body are negatively affected due to B12 deficiency and result in the patient feeling extremely tired. Other symptoms of Anemia include:
If you have any of these symptoms and think Anemia might be what causes a tingling tongue for you, make an appointment with your doctor to come up with a treatment plan as soon as possible.
Migraine headaches cause intense pain along with tingling in your cheeks, face, and tongue. If you have migraines and your tongue has started tingling, these debilitating headaches might be your answer to "what causes a tingly tongue?"
Some migraine conditions can be treated, so seek medical attention if you experience any of the following conditions in addition to a tingly tongue:
The answer to "is a tingling tongue serious" varies based on the context and any other symptoms you may be experiencing. If you experience symptoms associated with MS, stroke, or severe allergies you should see a doctor right away. Anemia, hypoglycemia, and burns not related to recently ingested hot food or drink can also be what cause a tingly tongue and are conditions that require medical treatment.
You are your own best advocate, so use your best judgment when figuring out "why is my tongue tingly?" There are a lot of different things that are what causes a tingly tongue, so don't hesitate to seek support from a medical professional to make sure you're on the best path to optimal wellness.
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