What Causes Facial Pain?
Facial pain is a unifying term for anyone who experiences discomfort in their face, cheeks, or forehead. Because this refers to a symptom and not a specific condition, it has many potential underlying causes.
Facial pain can vary in terms of intensity, whether it occurs on one side of your face or both (also called unilateral and bilateral), and how long the pain lasts. Some facial pain may be temporary and resolve completely independently, while others may have chronic pain that requires professional treatment.
Potential causes of facial pain may include:
- Oral health problems
- Underlying medical conditions
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Traumatic injury
- Headaches and migraines
Understanding potential facial pain causes is a vital first step to receive effective treatment and guide any potentially beneficial lifestyle changes. The appropriate treatment steps, medications, and behavior to manage and reduce your pain will depend on its source. We recommend speaking with your dental or medical professional for their expert diagnosis.
Keep reading below for our overview of some of the most common sources of facial pain.