Debilitating Facial Pain? Why It's Time to Consult a Trigeminal Neuralgia Specialist

Does sudden, severe facial pain affect how you eat, speak, or brush your teeth? If so, a trigeminal neuralgia specialist can determine the cause and recommend treatment to help you feel better. Here’s how.

Do you frequently deal with sudden or severe facial pain when you’re eating or chatting with friends? While everyone occasionally experiences random aches, persistent facial pain may indicate trigeminal neuralgia, a relatively rare medical condition.

Board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, at Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, specializes in diagnosing and treating trigeminal neuralgia.

Read on to learn what trigeminal neuralgia is, when to see a specialist, and what to expect for treatment.

An introduction to trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition that affects a small number of people (about 0.03% to 0.3% of the global population). It occurs when the trigeminal nerve, which creates sensation to your face and helps control muscles used for chewing, gets compressed or doesn’t work properly.

Anyone can experience trigeminal neuralgia, but it typically affects women who are 50 and older. Certain medical conditions may also increase your risk, including high blood pressure (hypertension) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia include:

Intense shooting or stabbing facial pain that feels like an electrical shock
Pain that extends into your teeth, gums, or jaw
Pain on one side of your face but not the other
Sudden episodes of pain triggered by speaking, eating, or brushing your teeth

Occasional facial pain usually isn’t something to worry about, but if symptoms persist, it’s important to identify the cause.

When to see a specialist about trigeminal neuralgia

Make an appointment with Dr. Merson if you regularly experience intense facial pain and it doesn’t improve with rest or activity changes. That’s especially true if your pain:

Occurs regularly and seems to be worsening
Doesn’t respond to over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication
Significantly interferes with daily activities such as eating and speaking

During your initial consultation, Dr. Merson reviews your health history and asks about your symptoms, including when they started, how often they occur, and if certain activities, such as brushing or flossing your teeth, worsen them.

Next, Dr. Merson completes a comprehensive physical exam. She gently presses on your jaw and face to identify sensitive areas, and orders diagnostic imaging, such as an MRI, to check for underlying structural issues.

If she confirms you have trigeminal neuralgia, Dr. Merson develops a personalized treatment plan.

What to expect during treatment for trigeminal neuralgia

Dr. Merson treats trigeminal neuralgia using a conservative, minimally invasive approach whenever possible. Depending on the significance of your symptoms, she may recommend:

Osteopathic manual therapy (OMT)
Medication management
Wearing a nightguard to prevent teeth grinding and jaw clenching
Changing your eating habits

Dr. Merson may recommend additional measures if your pain persists or worsens. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to relieve pressure on your trigeminal nerve.

Regardless, you don’t have to accept a life with intense facial pain. Dr. Merson has helped many people find lasting relief.

We can help you manage pain from trigeminal neuralgia

If you’re struggling to complete routine tasks, such as eating and maintaining good oral hygiene, don’t wait to seek professional treatment.