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If you're experiencing facial pain, you've made a smart decision to learn more about it. Facial pain causes discomfort and is associated with many underlying causes that can be difficult to navigate on your own. We're here to help you understand facial pain, what its most common sources are, and what you can do about it.
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:
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.
A dental abscess refers to an infection of the soft insides of your tooth known as the pulp. This occurs when bacteria infiltrate your teeth' vulnerable nerves and blood vessels from tooth decay, gum disease, or injury.
Symptoms of an abscessed tooth may include:
This condition will not heal on its own. If you believe you may have a dental abscess, it’s vital to schedule an appointment with your dental professional immediately. Luckily, they’re experts at treating this condition, preventing it from reoccurring, and helping you manage your pain.
If you’ve recently had a tooth removed and are experiencing pain, you may be experiencing a condition known as dry socket. This occurs when the blood doesn’t properly clot at your tooth extraction position, exposing your nerves and bone.
Symptoms of dry socket may include:
Proper clotting contributes to bone growth around the affected area, so it’s important to treat it for your health in addition to managing your pain. Call your dental professional for their expert insight in reducing your pain and to determine whether you require additional treatment.
The mechanism that attaches your jaw to your skull and gives it mobility is your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Conditions that affect this structure’s functioning are known as temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD).
Symptoms of TMD may include:
If you experience these symptoms, it’s a smart bet to check in with your dental or medical professional. It can be hard to diagnose these disorders on your own, and doing so can be crucial to manage your pain or address the underlying cause.
Headaches and migraines are a condition that varies between individuals almost as much as facial pain itself. The pain can be chronic or one-off, in your head or face, and severe or mild. In some cases, an underlying dental problem or toothache may lead to a headache.
Symptoms of a migraine may include:
The appropriate treatment for your headache or migraine will vary based on the severity and underlying cause. Drinking water may help prevent migraines. Taking over-the-counter pain relief medications may be helpful in some cases but may contribute to the problem in some, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
If your pain is severe or reoccurring, you should check in with your dental or medical professional to ensure you can access the best treatment options and prevention techniques available. They can prescribe medications that may be far more helpful than over-the-counter varieties or help prevent headaches and migraines from occurring in the first place.
Sinus infection (also known as sinusitis) is the swelling of the tissues inside the hollow areas inside of your head. Your sinuses are located by your cheeks, forehead, nose, and eyes and connect all of these areas. It’s good to keep in mind that it can be hard to differentiate between a cold, allergies, and a sinus infection on your own.
Symptoms of a sinus infection may include:
The treatment for sinus infection is typically drinking lots of fluids to stay hydrated and taking over-the-counter medications like decongestants and cold medicine. Your medical professional may recommend other treatments, such as antibiotics or more powerful prescription medications, depending on the underlying cause and severity.
Your body communicates sensation from your sensory organs (like a feeling of cold in your mouth) through your nervous system to your brain. Your nervous system is made up of nerves, and one of the largest in your head is your trigeminal nerve.
Trigeminal neuralgia refers to dysfunction of this nerve, leading to severe pain when your face receives stimulation. According to the Mayo Clinic, this condition is more likely to women and those over the age of 50.
Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia may include:
For treatment, you must schedule a visit with your medical professional. According to the Mayo Clinic, they may prescribe anticonvulsants, antispasmodics, botox injections, or recommend surgery to treat this condition.
Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is a condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus, which causes chickenpox. If you had chickenpox as a child, the virus might become reactivated and cause a rash.
Symptoms of shingles may include:
Important note: If you have singles symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your medical professional or visit a hospital where they can prescribe antivirals and pain relievers. Please stay away from people who have never had chickenpox or shingles, as you could cause them to catch chickenpox.
No matter the underlying cause of your facial pain, several themes reoccur throughout the different conditions discussed in this article:
It can be challenging to confront your facial pain, but you’ve made an important first step in reading this article. You’re not alone in this, and experts are prepared to help you. If you’re dealing with chronic or reoccurring facial pain, you have a powerful opportunity to make a lasting change to your long-term happiness and health.
This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
