I Have Numbness in My Lip or Mouth β Is That a Sign?
Numbness in the lip, chin, or mouth can be unsettling. Here is what it might mean.
Numbness in the mouth area is less common than pain, and it is a symptom that should always be evaluated. The medical term is paresthesia.
- Common causes include:
- Dental anesthesia β numbness from a dental injection that has not fully worn off (normal)
- Injured nerve β from dental surgery, tooth extraction (especially wisdom teeth), or facial trauma
- Vitamin deficiency β low B12, B1, or other vitamins can cause nerve symptoms
- Herpes simplex β tingling or numbness can precede a cold sore outbreak
- Multiple sclerosis β can cause facial numbness as an early symptom
- Oral cancer β a cancerous tumor pressing on a nerve can cause numbness; this is one of the more concerning signs
Numbness without an obvious cause β especially if it is persistent on one side β needs investigation.
What to Look For
- Usually not serious:
- Numbness that appeared after dental work and is fading
- Tingling that precedes a cold sore
- Comes and goes
- Affects both sides equally
- Worth having checked:
- Persistent numbness on one side of the lip, chin, or tongue
- Numbness that does not go away after 2β3 weeks
- Numbness with no clear cause (no recent dental work, no injury)
- Accompanied by a lump, sore, or swelling
- Numbness that is spreading
When to See a Doctor
- See a dentist or ENT doctor if:
- You have numbness in your lip, chin, or mouth for more than 2 weeks with no explanation
- The numbness is on one side only
- You also have a sore, lump, or swelling in the mouth
- You have a history of oral cancer or tobacco use