Tongue Numbness & Loss of Taste After Cavity Fillings

[V117]

I went to the dentist to have three (3) cavities filled in different areas of my mouth.  The dentist gave me about four (4) shots.  Three (3) days later the left side of my tongue and left jaw area was still numb and I called the dentist office and asked them how long does it take for the numbness to go away.  I was told that it should have gone away already. I was told by the dental assistant to go and get an over the counter product from the drug store and rub on my jaw and that it would increase the feelings in my jaw. A week later the numbness is my left jaw area had gone away, but the left side of my tongue was still feeling numb, tingling and felt very sensitive.  I went back to see the dentist and he checked my tongue and said that he could see nothing wrong.  It has been four (4) months and my left side of my tongue is still tingling, sensitive and I have loss of taste on the left side of my tongue.  It's painful to touch it on the left side the tip and sometimes the middle.  The worst part is the loss of taste.  I have no enjoyment of food because of the loas of taste and the sensitivity to touch. It has that tingling feeling like you have sat on your arm for so long and it was numb and now the feeling is returning but doesn't quite come back and it is stuck in the middle of the feeling returning stage that hurts and the feeling does not completely return, just tingles constantly.  Please help. Possible nerve damage.

[Jerome Bogin, D.D.S.]

It does sound like the the lingual nerve was traumatized in some way.I think the numbness or tingling will abate but it might take awhile for it to get better.At this point I do not think you can do much but wait it out.If you are so inclined you might consider a consult with an oral surgeon for his or her opinion.