Overview
Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that causes sudden, severe, electric-shock-like face pain, usually on one side, along the path of the main sensory nerve of the face. The pain can be triggered by light touch, chewing, talking, brushing the teeth or even a breeze, and comes in brief bursts that can be intensely distressing. It is often mistaken for a dental problem. It usually responds to specific nerve-calming medicines, and procedures can help when medicines are not enough.
Symptoms
- Sudden, severe, stabbing or electric-shock-like face pain
- Pain on one side of the face, often the cheek or jaw
- Brief attacks that can occur in bursts
- Pain triggered by touch, chewing, talking or brushing teeth
- Pain-free periods between attacks
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for sudden severe one-sided face pain, especially if triggered by touch or chewing — it is treatable and not a dental problem.
Causes
Often a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve; sometimes multiple sclerosis or, rarely, a growth near the nerve.