Why is my tongue numb and scalloped for past one week?

Question

Hello doctor,

I woke up with the tip of my tongue numb a week back and have been since. I do drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes, but have stopped since I started feeling the numbness. I can also see that the sides of my tongue look scalloped.

Kindly assist.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your question, and I can understand your concern.

This can be because of the transient nerve compression. If you have any grossly decayed tooth on the same side or any missing third molar. Most of the time, unerupted or decayed third molars are the cause. In case you do not have any of it, the reason may be a viral infection like influenza, which you had experienced recently, or herpes. As precautionary measures, take a Vitamin B complex tablet daily for three to four weeks. If the numbness continues more than a month and there is no organic cause, which I mentioned earlier, you may need further diagnostic evidence to rule out the cause. Most of the time it heals without any medical intervention.

I hope it helps.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.