Tingling tongue

What is tingling tongue?

Tingling tongue is an unusual sensation on the tongue that can be described as a “pins-and-needles” (prickling) sensation or a burning feeling. Tingling is often associated with numbness, or a decrease in the ability to feel or sense pressure, taste or texture.

Tingling tongue can be associated with a wide variety of conditions, including prolonged pressure on a nerve, infection, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, multiple sclerosis (disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, causing weakness, coordination and balance difficulties, and other problems), and stroke, among many others.

Tingling of the tongue can feel mild and result from something as simple as poor dental hygiene and bacterial overgrowth. Tingling can also be a symptom of more serious permanent nerve damage or underlying disease. Therefore, it is important to identify the cause of any unexplained or unusual tingling.

Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you experience serious symptoms, such as the sudden onset of tingling tongue along with unexplained tingling, weakness or numbness on just one side of your body; sudden severe headache; sudden loss of vision or vision changes; changes in speech, such as garbled or slurred speech; or the onset of tingling following a head, neck or back injury.

If your tingling tongue is persistent, unexplained, or causes you concern, seek prompt medical care.