What should I do about trigeminal neuralgia of the teeth?

Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

Updated on September 26, 2024

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Trigeminal neuralgia in the teeth is generally caused by lesions in the areas controlled by the trigeminal nerve, leading to pain. This pain has trigger points, which could be a particular patch of skin or triggered during face washing, producing paroxysmal, electric shock-like pain. It is important to differentiate this from tooth-related nerve pain. Sometimes toothache may resemble symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. If dental treatment does not relieve the pain, it might be trigeminal neuralgia related to the teeth. Trigeminal neuralgia requires medication, and there are many types of treatments available. If medicinal treatment proves ineffective, surgical treatment or acupuncture may be employed. In severe cases, nerve tissue blockage can be performed to temporarily relieve the pain.

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Written by Jiang Fang Shuai

Neurosurgery

58sec

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Is trigeminal neuralgia dangerous?

Trigeminal neuralgia manifests in the regions of the face covered by the distributions of the trigeminal nerve, featuring recurrent, severe pain. The onset of the disorder is sudden and it resolves quickly as well. The pain is usually described as cutting, electric shock-like, burning, or tearing; it is a stubborn, difficult-to-treat pain, colloquially known as the "king of pain" and "the foremost pain in the world," which reflects the extreme level of pain associated with trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia is generally not fatal, but it inflicts significant harm on the human body, making sufferers feel as if death would be preferable. It causes substantial psychological and physical obstacles and can even trigger the onset of some cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, potentially leading to sudden death. Thus, trigeminal neuralgia is considered a rather dangerous disease.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

40sec

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Early manifestations of trigeminal neuralgia

For patients with trigeminal neuralgia, the initial symptoms mainly include sudden onset of intense pain that stops abruptly. The nature of the pain is generally sharp, resembling sharp stabbing or knife-like pain. In most cases, trigger points are easily formed on the face, commonly appearing around the bilateral nostrils and corners of the mouth as fixed trigger points. Touching these trigger points can easily trigger an attack of trigeminal neuralgia, which lasts for a relatively short duration, typically from a few seconds to several seconds. In most cases, attacks are more likely to be triggered when the patient is tired, fatigued, or under mental stress.

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Written by Gao Yi Shen

Neurosurgery

48sec

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Does trigeminal neuralgia cause facial swelling?

Patients with trigeminal neuralgia may also experience slight swelling on their face, but it is not very obvious. This is because the nerve also has a special function, which is to provide nourishment. When the facial area innervated by the trigeminal nerve shows abnormal signs, the facial nerves in this area will become affected, leading to malnutrition and eventually causing facial swelling. However, such swelling is usually not very severe. If there are other factors involved, the swelling could become more serious. For instance, it could be due to a gum infection triggering trigeminal neuralgia, or pressure caused by other tumors. Therefore, the best approach is to visit a hospital promptly for relevant examinations to clarify the cause, which is the best for the patient.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

46sec

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How to relieve trigeminal neuralgia

For patients with trigeminal neuralgia, there are many methods to achieve pain relief. For example, in the early stages of the disease, treatment can be administered through oral medication. Taking appropriate medications can effectively relieve pain and also reduce the frequency and occurrence of trigeminal neuralgia attacks. At the same time, some physical therapies such as massage, tuina, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and electrotherapy can significantly alleviate the pain. Of course, to achieve complete cure, surgical methods are recommended for treatment. We generally advise patients to undergo microvascular decompression surgery, through which the vast majority of patients can achieve good therapeutic effects.

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Written by Chen Yu Fei

Neurosurgery

55sec

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How to relieve trigeminal neuralgia pain

For patients with trigeminal neuralgia, to achieve pain relief, initially, one can treat the disease by taking medication. Simultaneously, it is also appropriate to combine some physical therapies such as massage, tuina, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and electrotherapy. Acupuncture, in particular, helps significantly in relieving pain and improving symptoms. Moreover, to achieve a complete cure, it is advisable to opt for surgical methods. Clinically, it is generally recommended to choose microvascular decompression surgery for treatment. Most patients with trigeminal neuralgia can achieve desirable outcomes after undergoing surgery. Additionally, patients with trigeminal neuralgia should be careful with their diet and avoid overly greasy, spicy, and irritating foods. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)