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A Comprehensive Guide to Facial Pain, Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Published on

JAN 16
2025

About the Author

Table of contents

1. Introduction to Facial Pain
2. Common Causes of Facial Pain
3. Symptoms of Facial Pain
4. Understanding TMD and Facial Pain
5. Facial Pain Treatment Options
6. Conclusion

Introduction to Facial Pain

The human head has been shown in studies to be one of the most sensitive areas to pain. With highly innervated and vascular structures all around including the brain, eyes, ears, lips, teeth, nose and the start of the vertebral column. The smallest of injuries are capable of beginning a cascade of symptoms. Owing to the close proximity of these structures to each other, it is very common to be unable to directly identify the origin of a sign or symptom.

Common Causes of Facial Pain

Now let’s understand some prominent facial pain causes. Facial pains can manifest because of several reasons. Some of them include:
  • Infected tooth
  • Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) which could cause grinding/clenching of teeth
  • Faulty restoration treatments
  • Improper occlusion
  • Chewing only using one side of the mouth
  • Sinus infections
  • Fractures of cranial bones
  • Cancerous/ malignant growths, etc.
The signs and symptoms of many of these often overlap and could even be connected. In many cases, the ‘which came first – the chicken or the egg’ analogy is a very common obstacle in the investigative process. This often makes identifying the facial pain causes difficult without a comprehensive diagnosis from a TMJ specialist.
facial pain causes

Symptoms of Facial Pain

Similar to the vastness of reasons for facial pain, the symptoms of facial pain follow suit. The pains can range from mild to debilitating. Some commonly experienced symptoms may include:
  • Unilateral or bilateral headaches
  • Tension type headaches
  • Pain in the crown, sides and back portion of the head
  • Pain around the eyes and pain in the ears.
The most misleading ones include those that mimic migraine like symptoms and toothache. In the former, this can lead to patients seeking treatment for migraines and being on medications lifelong. In the latter, many end up extracting teeth unnecessarily only to be left with the same pain because it was not the cause in the first place.

Understanding TMD and Facial Pain

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is a multi-factorial and multi-faceted syndrome. It often presents with overlapping symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose and treat. TMD can contribute to pain in facial muscles, headaches, and other areas of the head and neck.

Facial Pain Treatment Options

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is a multi-factorial and multi-faceted syndrome. It often presents with overlapping symptoms, making it challenging to diagnose and treat. Effective facial pain treatment begins with accurate diagnosis and targeting of the root cause. Over-the-counter analgesics might provide temporary relief but can lead to other health issues over time.
Non-invasive facial pain treatment caused by TMJ disorders include:
  • ULF TENS (Ultra-Low Frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation): Relaxes muscles and alleviates pain.
  • Dental appliances: Corrects occlusion and alleviates stress on the TMJ.
  • Airway expansion therapy: Improves breathing and reduces strain on facial muscles.
facial pain treatment

Conclusion

Finding a well-trained neuromuscular dentist with a holistic approach is key to long-term relief. These professionals can address the underlying causes of facial pain rather than just managing symptoms. Early intervention and proper care can significantly enhance the quality of life for individuals experiencing chronic facial pain.
To treat the most complex of TMJ problems, contact us at TMJ India and get your appointment with our TMJ experts today! 
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