- Face pain caused by a pinched nerve affects the cheeks, gums, chin or lips, usually on one of side. Called trigeminal neuralgia, or "tic douloureux" (French for "painful twitch), it generally occurs at the same time every day, and lasts for 30 minutes to an hour.
- An irritated, damaged or pinched nerve causes neuralgia. Often the cause of the nerve damage cannot be determined, although it may be an infection, like an abscessed tooth or sinuses, shingles, eye strain, sensitivity to cold or fatigue.
- A doctor diagnoses neuralgia, or face pain, based upon the location of the pain and its characteristics. A medical exam will exclude nerve damage caused by tumor or aneurysm, or underlying diseases of the jaw, sinuses or teeth.
- Face pain caused by a pinched nerve can be treated with anti-seizure medications, topical pain relievers, electrical nerve stimulation or surgery to deaden or sever the nerve.
- Neuralgia, or face pain, cannot be prevented, but episodes of pain can be avoided by minimizing triggers. Avoiding extreme temperatures in food and beverages, or external weather temperatures can help. Medical attention should be sought for shingles, eye strain or dental disease.
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