If you’ve been dealing with face pain for a week or longer, not only do you need relief, but you need to know why it’s happening.
Our team at Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute, led by Ronak D. Patel, MD, understands the potential causes of facial pain and has advice on when to seek professional help.
Your face might hurt for various reasons ranging from mild issues to more serious conditions. Some of the culprits may include:
One of the most frequent causes of facial pain is sinusitis. It develops when your sinuses become inflamed due to infection, allergies, or colds. This can lead to pressure in your cheeks, forehead, and around your eyes. If you've had a stuffy nose, fever, or thick nasal discharge, you might be dealing with a sinus infection.
Dental issues like abscesses, cavities, or gum disease can cause severe pain that radiates to your face. An abscessed tooth, in particular, can lead to sharp or throbbing pain in your jaw, cheeks, and even ear area.
TMJ affects your jaw joint, causing pain around your ears, jaw, and face. It can result from grinding your teeth, stress, or an injury to your jaw. You may also notice popping sounds when chewing or difficulty moving your jaw.
A rare but intense condition, trigeminal neuralgia causes extreme, electric shock-like pain in parts of your face. The trigeminal nerve, which sends sensations from your face to your brain, becomes irritated. Even mild stimulation, like brushing your teeth or washing your face, can trigger the pain.
Facial pain can also be a symptom of a severe headache or migraine, especially around your eyes, temples, or forehead.
If your face has been hurting for more than a week, take the following steps:
Pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help manage the pain temporarily. Decongestants and nasal sprays might be useful for sinus-related pain.
A warm compress resting gently on your face can relieve tension and reduce sinus pressure.
Drink plenty of water, especially if your pain is sinus-related, because hydration helps thin mucus and reduce pressure in the sinuses.
Stress often worsens pain, so take time to relax. Practice jaw relaxation techniques if you suspect TMJ.
If your pain persists after trying these remedies, or if you experience symptoms like fever, vision problems, swelling, or numbness, book an appointment at our practice as soon as possible. We can properly diagnose the issue, whether it’s a lingering sinus infection, dental issue, or something more serious like trigeminal neuralgia.
We have offices in Plainsboro Township, Manalapan, and Freehold, New Jersey, so call us at 609-269-4451 or use the online scheduler for convenience to schedule an evaluation at the location nearest you.
