WHO IS THE BLACK SHEEP – TOOTH OR THE NERVE?

A Sharp sensation of pain occurring in and around the face region is often mistaken as tooth pain. However, it is not necessarily of dental origin.
Tooth pain commonly occurs due to decay, sensitivity, a cracked tooth or gum infection. On occasion, we have patients complain of tooth ache, but on clinical examination the teeth in question show no pathology.
In such situations, we consider the possibility of it being neuralgic pain. More often than not, the patient gives us a brief history – such as episodes of pain occurring while washing their face, brushing their teeth, shaving their face or contact with cold air.
Facial nerve pain or Trigeminal Neuralgia is usually exhibited as a sharp lightning like pain lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes. This is where the history given by the patient plays a vital role in accurate diagnosis.

By Dr. Aarti