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Tongue movement and feeling after submandibular surgery | CION Cancer Clinics
Tongue numbness after submandibular surgery happens when the nerve that gives the tongue feeling is stretched or bruised as the gland is lifted away. It usually affects the front of one side and often improves over weeks to months. Weakness in moving the tongue is less common. This page explains what is normal, what needs help the same day, and how to protect a numb tongue while it recovers. CION Cancer Clinics’ surgical oncologists in Hyderabad can talk this through with you.
MI
Medically reviewed by Dr. Mohammed ImaduddinConsultant Surgical Oncologist · MBBS, MS (General Surgery), MCh (Surgical Oncology) · last reviewed September 2026, next review due September 2027
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On this page
- Why does my tongue feel numb after submandibular surgery?
- What kinds of tongue change can happen?
- How does feeling usually come back?
- How can you protect a numb tongue at home?
- What do people often believe about a numb tongue?
- When should you ask for more help?
- Common questions about tongue numbness after surgery
The short answer
Why does my tongue feel numb after submandibular surgery?
Your tongue feels numb because the nerve that carries feeling from it runs right beside the gland that was removed. Lifting the gland away can stretch or bruise that nerve, even when it is carefully kept. The numbness is on the same side as the operation and usually covers the front part of the tongue.
Numbness and movement come from two different nerves
One nerve, the lingual nerve, gives the tongue touch and taste. Another, the hypoglossal nerve, makes the tongue move. You can have a numb tongue that moves perfectly well. Less often, the tongue feels normal but is weak on one side. Telling your team which you have helps them understand which nerve was affected.
What this page cannot tell you
It cannot tell you whether your nerve was stretched or cut, or how much of your own feeling will return. Only your surgeon knows what was seen during the operation. Ask them directly, and ask for it to be written in your discharge summary.
What you may feel
What kinds of tongue change can happen?
Changes fall into four groups. You may have one, several or none at all.
Numbness
The front of the tongue on one side feels thick, rubbery or asleep, rather like after a dental injection. Some people also feel it in the floor of the mouth and the gums on that side.
Tingling and odd sensations
Pins and needles, a burning feeling or small electric jolts can appear as a nerve starts to recover. They are often a sign of healing rather than damage getting worse, though they can be unpleasant.
A change in taste
Food may taste dull, metallic or different at the front of the tongue on one side. The back of the tongue and the other side still taste normally, so the overall change is often smaller than people fear.
Weakness of movement
The tongue pushes to one side when you stick it out, and moving food around the mouth feels clumsy.
You may notice
- Food collecting in one cheek
- Some words sounding less clear
- Meals taking longer
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Get help the same day
Seek care at once if you have new swelling under the tongue or in the neck, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing your own saliva, or a fever with a red, hot wound. These point to bleeding or infection, not ordinary nerve recovery. Go to the nearest emergency department and say you have had neck surgery. Do not wait for your follow-up appointment.
Over time
How does feeling usually come back?
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In the first days
Numbness is often at its most noticeable, mixed with swelling and soreness from the operation. It is hard to judge the nerve yet, because swelling alone can dull feeling.
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Over the first weeks
As swelling settles, you get a clearer picture of what is numb. Some people notice feeling creeping back at the edges of the numb area, and tingling may start.
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Over the following months
Stretched or bruised nerves recover slowly, and improvement can carry on for many months. Progress is often uneven, with good weeks and flat weeks. Keep a simple note of changes to share at follow-up.
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If a nerve was cut or removed
Feeling may not come back on its own. Your team may talk about repair if it was possible, and a speech therapist can help you adapt the way you eat and speak.
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Everyday care
How can you protect a numb tongue at home?
- Let hot tea, coffee and soup cool first, because you may not feel a burn
- Chew slowly, and on the side that has normal feeling
- Check your tongue in a mirror after meals for bites or sores
- Use a soft toothbrush and rinse gently after eating
- Take smaller mouthfuls if food collects on one side
- Sip water with meals to help move food along
- Do tongue exercises only in the way your therapist shows you
- Tell your dentist about the numbness before any dental work
Commonly believed
What do people often believe about a numb tongue?
"The numbness means the operation went wrong."
Numbness is a known effect of lifting the gland away from a nerve that sits right beside it. It can happen after careful surgery. What matters is whether the nerve was kept, and your surgeon can tell you that.
"If feeling has not come back in a few weeks, it never will."
Nerves recover slowly. Improvement can keep going for many months after the operation. The early weeks are too soon to judge the final result, so try not to lose heart.
"Tingling means the nerve is getting worse."
Tingling and odd sensations often appear as a nerve starts working again. Tell your team if they bother you, but they are not usually a bad sign.
"Vitamin tablets or oils will repair the nerve."
No supplement has been shown to speed recovery of this nerve, and some can interact with your medicines. Ask your doctor before starting anything, rather than buying something because it was recommended online or by a relative.
Next steps
When should you ask for more help?
Most tongue changes after this surgery are managed with time and simple care at home. Some need more. Ask for a review if things are not improving, or if the change is making daily life harder than you expected.
A speech and swallowing therapist
If your tongue is weak, your speech sounds unclear, or you cough or choke when eating, ask for a referral. A therapist can teach exercises and safer ways to eat and drink. This is useful even months after surgery.
Pain that does not settle
A few people have ongoing burning pain in the tongue. There are medicines for nerve pain, and your doctor will decide whether one suits you. Do not take tablets prescribed for someone else, however similar their problem sounds.
If further treatment is planned
Radiotherapy to the area can cause soreness and dryness of the mouth, which can make a numb tongue feel worse for a time. Tell your radiation team about the numbness at the start, so they can plan your mouth care.
Questions we are asked
Common questions about tongue numbness after surgery
Is it normal for my tongue to feel numb after submandibular surgery?
Yes, it is a known effect. The nerve that gives the tongue feeling runs right beside the gland, and lifting the gland away can stretch or bruise it. The numbness is usually on one side, at the front of the tongue. Tell your surgeon so they can note it and follow your recovery.
How long will the numbness last?
It varies. When the nerve was kept, feeling often returns slowly over weeks to months, and can keep improving for longer. If the nerve had to be cut, the numbness may be lasting. What your surgeon saw during your operation is the most useful guide to what you can expect.
Will my taste come back?
Taste at the front of one side of the tongue often returns along with feeling, because the same nerve carries both. The rest of your tongue still tastes normally, so meals are usually enjoyable even while it recovers. If taste changes stay or get worse, mention it at your follow-up.
Why does my tongue point to one side?
That points to weakness of the nerve that moves the tongue. The tongue is pushed out by muscles on both sides, and if one side is weaker, it drifts towards that side. This is less common than numbness. Tell your team, and ask whether a speech therapist could help.
I keep biting my tongue. What can I do?
Chew slowly, take smaller bites, and chew on the side with normal feeling. Check the tongue in a mirror after meals. Rinse any bite gently with salt water and keep the mouth clean. If a bite becomes very sore or swollen, or does not heal, show it to your doctor or dentist.
Can I eat spicy food?
You can, but take care. Spice can sting a healing mouth, and a numb tongue will not warn you about very hot food. Start with milder meals and let food cool before eating. Your usual home food is fine once the wound has settled and you feel comfortable.
Will it affect my speech?
Numbness alone rarely changes speech much, though it can feel odd at first. Weakness in moving the tongue can make some sounds less clear. Many people find their speech improves as swelling settles. A speech therapist can help if it does not, and the exercises can make a real difference.
Should I worry if the numbness spreads?
Numbness that spreads, or new weakness appearing weeks after surgery, is not the usual pattern. Tell your team promptly so they can check the area. If it comes with swelling, trouble breathing or trouble swallowing, go to an emergency department the same day.
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Sources
- NHS — Salivary gland cancer
- Cancer Research UK — Salivary gland cancer
- National Cancer Institute — Salivary gland cancer treatment (PDQ), patient version
- Cancer.Net — Salivary gland cancer
This page is general information, not a prescription. Do not change or stop any treatment based on what you read here. If anything is worrying you, contact your own treating team — or call our helpline and we will help you reach the right specialist.
Keep reading
Related pages
Nerves at Risk in Submandibular SurgeryThe three nerves near the gland and what each doesSubmandibular Gland Removal: What It InvolvesThe operation itself, from start to recoveryRadiation After Salivary Gland SurgeryHow radiotherapy can change the mouthRecovery, Eating and Getting Back to LifeEating well and returning to routine after surgery
Talk to us
Worried about how your tongue is recovering?
Call the helpline or send us your discharge summary. A surgical oncologist will talk through what you are noticing and what may help. One helpline serves every CION centre.