When you have a problem with your jaw called TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder), it can sometimes cause numbness in your lips and other parts of your body. This might happen because the muscles in your face get tight and squeeze on other nerves, making them feel numb.
Usually, when your jaw puts pressure on a nerve called the trigeminal nerve, which helps you feel things on your face, you might feel numbness. This can make parts of your face, like your lips, feel like they have lost their feeling.
Lip numbness can also be caused by other things like being out in the cold for too long, having a cold sore, or having an infection or allergic reaction.
Sometimes it can even happen if your blood sugar or calcium levels are too low. When your lips feel numb, it might also feel like they are tingling or prickling, or like you have pins and needles in them.
It’s important to know that many times, lip numbness isn’t something serious to worry about. But sometimes it can be a sign of something more serious, especially if you have other symptoms like trouble breathing or your face looks droopy. In those cases, you might need to go to the emergency room for help.
So,
Can TMJ cause lip numbness?
Yes, TMJ can sometimes cause lip numbness because it can put pressure on the nerves in your face. But there are also other reasons why your lips might feel numb, and it’s essential to pay attention to any other symptoms you might have to know if you need medical help.