Numbness in a certain part of your face could be down to several things – but Dr Zoe urges anyone with new symptoms to get them checked out.
If you’ve noticed your chin feeling numb or tingling, you might need to speak to your GP. It’s not the sort of symptom that immediately makes you panic, right? And you shouldn’t panic either way, but there is potential it could be part of a condition called numb chin syndrome (NCS). While NCS is usually harmless, it can sometimes be linked to something more serious, like cancer that has spread to the jaw.
There’s no need to doom scroll or jump to conclusions — NCS is quite rare, and most of the time, chin numbness has other causes that are much less concerning. Chin numbness can be caused by recent dental work such as a filling, tooth extraction, or even wisdom teeth removal — these procedures can irritate the nerves in your chin, leading to temporary numbness.
Similarly, an injury to the jaw from a fall or a bump to the face can pressure the nerves, resulting in a numb or tingling feeling. Infections like a gum abscess or dental infection can also cause pressure on the mental nerve and lead to similar symptoms, reports The Sun.
A concerned 59-year-old wrote to Dr. Zoe and said: “I’ve had numbness and tingling on the right side of my chin for a few months. I’m 59, fit, and had surgery for a cancerous tonsil tumour in 2010, which left my neck numb on the left side.” They said they had consulted their doctor but were told to not worry about things. Dr Zoe replied with calm but advised that the symptoms could be related to something serious. She said: “While cancer recurrence is unlikely after 14 years, any new symptoms should be checked by a doctor.”
If the numbness sticks around or you can’t link it to a recent injury or dental work, it’s worth seeing someone. While most causes are benign, numb chin syndrome can sometimes be linked to more serious conditions, such as cancer that has spread to the jaw.
NCS can be a potential symptom of cancers such as breast, lung, prostate, malignant melanoma, leukemia, lymphoma, and also multiple sclerosis (MS). In these cases, early detection is key, so it’s always better to get things checked out and rule out any serious underlying issues. According to Healthline, these are some of the symptoms to consider:
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changes in the shape or size of your breast or nipple
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a new or growing lump in your breast
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changes in the texture of the skin on your breast
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a new, changing, or discolored mole on your skin
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a new or growing lump anywhere on or under your skin
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hoarseness or cough that won’t go away
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problems with bowel movements (including blood in the stool)
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unexplained weight loss or weight gain
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painful or difficult urination
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abdominal pain
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unexplained night sweats
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difficulty eating
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unusual bleeding or discharge
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extreme weakness or tiredness
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fever and night sweats
If pain persists your doctor will be able to conduct assess you and may recommend imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI, to get a better look at what’s going on. The good news is that most cases of chin numbness are not related to serious conditions. But if you’re unsure or the numbness persists, it’s always better to have peace of mind.
