6 Reasons for Facial Pain

Your face is a complex network of nerves, muscles, and bones. If you find yourself struggling with facial pain, you're not alone. While there are many short-term solutions for managing facial pain, it can be frustrating to manage the pain on your own.

That’s where we come into the picture. Bradley A Silva, MD 一 double, board-certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine 一 offers many pain management options for facial pain at Lakeshore Pain and Spine Center here in Kenosha, Wisconsin. If you’re in pain, know that we’re here for you.

In the meantime, continue reading to learn more about six common reasons for facial pain.

1. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJDs) are the most common cause of orofacial pain, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. When your jaw joint isn’t functioning quite right, you might find it hard to open your mouth all the way, chew comfortably, or even speak clearly. You might also hear your jaw click or pop when you open it.

2. Migraines and tension headaches

Tension headaches often involve a band-like pressure around your forehead or temples, while migraines may cause throbbing pain on one side of your head. In addition, headaches can manifest as a result of TMJDs, so you should address any co-occurring conditions to help get to the root of your facial pain.

Identifying triggers, managing stress, and exploring pain relief strategies with Dr. Silva can help you find relief from your facial pain.

3. Nerve disorders

Trigeminal neuralgia, a type of neuropathy, can cause episodic yet intense bouts of facial pain. You might feel an electric shock sensation that affects one side of your face with burning, shocking, or stabbing pain.

Neuropathy requires specialized medical attention, and treatment may involve medications to manage nerve pain or, in some cases, surgical interventions to remove damaged tissue.

4. Arthritis

Arthritis can develop in any joint, and your jaw is no exception. The following types of arthritis can affect your temporomandibular joint:

Osteoarthritis (the most common type)
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Juvenile arthritis

Arthritis can affect either one or both sides of your jaw.

5. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is an invisible disease that causes widespread pain, fatigue, and brain fog. Fibromyalgia can cause tender points (areas that hurt if you press on them). These points include the base of your skull, which can radiate and cause facial pain. The facial pain doesn’t end there: An estimated 80% of people with fibromyalgia experience jaw pain and headaches.

6. Acute injuries

In addition to these underlying conditions, acute trauma or injuries can contribute to facial pain, which includes toothaches, sinus infections, bruises, fractured bones, cuts, and burns.

Explore your treatment options for facial pain

Determine the root cause of your discomfort as the first step in finding relief from facial pain. In some cases, you may know right away why your face hurts. For example, if your face hurts because of a sinus infection, the solution is to address your current sinus infection.

In other cases, you might not know what’s causing your pain. Once the source of your pain is confirmed, Dr. Silva utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to help manage your facial pain related to underlying conditions. Depending on what’s causing your pain, you may benefit from:

Medication management
Nutritional guidance, in the case of dietary headache triggers
Interventional therapies
Injections, including Botox ® injections
Stress management, especially for fibromyalgia
Alternative therapies, such as yoga and acupuncture
Lifestyle modifications, including sleep hygiene and exercise

Don’t let unmanaged facial pain keep you from enjoying your life. Call our Kenosha, Wisconsin, office at 262-484-4035 today to explore your pain management options. You can also request an appointment online.