Dental Nation
Symptom guide

Facial or Lip Numbness

Numbness of the lip or mouth can occur with bleeding, pain, a sore, a lump, colour changes, or difficulty moving the jaw.

[1]

The short answer

Facial or lip numbness can occur with a sore, lump, bleeding, pain, colour changes in the mouth, or difficulty moving the tongue or jaw.

[1]
Facial or Lip Numbness dental educational illustration

What does facial or lip numbness feel like?

Changes that may accompany numbness
AreaPossible change
Lips and mouthA sore that does not heal, a lump, or thickening[1]
Mouth liningA white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or mouth lining[1]
FunctionTrouble chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaws[1]

[1]

What can occur with facial numbness?

Lip and oral cavity cancer starts in the lips or mouth, but these signs can also result from other conditions. Tobacco and alcohol use affect risk, while genetics, sex, and sunlight exposure are also listed risk factors.

[1]
Listed risk factors
FactorDetail
Tobacco and alcoholTobacco products and heavy alcohol use can affect risk[1]
SunlightLong-term natural sunlight or artificial sunlight exposure is a listed risk factor[1]
SexBeing male is listed as a risk factor[1]

[1]

What relief is safe tonight?

Exfoliative cytology collects cells by gently scraping the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat with cotton, a brush, or a small wooden stick for microscopic examination.

[1]

How is the cause investigated?

Tests that examine the mouth and throat are used to diagnose and stage lip and oral cavity cancer. Staging describes tumour size, spread, and distance from where it started.

[1]

How is the underlying problem treated?

Surgery is used at all stages of lip and oral cavity cancer and may remove the cancer, nearby healthy tissue, involved bone, or neck lymph nodes. Chemotherapy or radiation may follow surgery.

[1]

How can oral risk be reduced?

Avoiding risk factors and increasing protective factors may lower cancer risk. Tobacco use, alcohol use, betel quid chewing, and HPV infection are listed risks; quitting smoking is listed as protective.

[2]

When does numbness need prompt attention?

Lip and oral cavity cancer can recur after treatment. Prognosis and treatment depend on the stage, tumour location, spread to blood vessels, and whether speaking and eating can be preserved.

[1]

Frequently asked questions

Can mouth numbness occur with a white or red patch?

Yes. Numbness in the lip or mouth can occur with a white or red patch on the gums, tongue, or mouth lining.

[1]