The Many Treatments for Facial Pain
The Center for Sleep Apnea & TMJ
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Facial pain has a number of different causes, and each one can lead to discomfort on a daily basis; at times, it can be excruciating. Whether your facial pain is related to clenching your teeth or a more serious condition, it’s wise to seek treatment as soon as possible. Luckily, there are many treatment options available for the different types of facial pain.
The Snoring and Sleep Apnea Center doesn’t just specialize in sleep apnea; we also have the tools to help you get your facial pain under control. Dr. Katharine Christian is a general dentist and sleep medicine specialist who offers several different treatment options when you’re suffering from pain in your face.
Causes of Facial Pain
Your face is a complex structure in your body that’s made up of many different components, including bones, nerves, muscles, and joints. Because your face is made up of all these things in a small area, it can lead to a variety of issues that cause pain.
Facial pain can be related to different areas in your face, such as your teeth or your jaw. Nerves and other factors may also play a role. Here are a few common issues that can lead to facial pain:
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder
- Trauma or injury
- Chronic pain syndrome
- Viral outbreaks
- Sinus problems
- Migraines
- Dental abscess
No matter what is causing your pain, the symptoms won’t get better without proper treatment. Understanding your symptoms can help you and Dr. Christian figure out what’s causing your discomfort.
Symptoms Related to Facial Pain
The symptoms that you experience with facial pain are highly dependent on the area of your face that’s affected and the condition causing the pain. Some pain can be sharp or piercing, while other pain may be dull or achy.
When your pain is due to clenching your teeth or a TMJ disorder, for instance, you may notice pain along with other symptoms that include:
- Earaches
- Dizziness
- Recurrent headaches
- Jaw popping or clicking
- Sore muscles in your jaw
However, if you have a dental infection or skin infection that’s causing the pain, you may also notice a fever or discolored pus around the site. It might have a foul odor and could be aching or throbbing.
If you’re not sure what’s causing your pain, Dr. Christian can help you navigate your symptoms to figure out what the best route of treatment is for your condition.
Treatment Options That Can Help
Dr. Christian formulates a personalized treatment plan for you that’s determined by the condition that’s causing your pain and the severity of your symptoms. Some of the facial pain treatments you may encounter in our practice include:
Oral Appliances
You wear an oral appliance at night to help prevent you from clenching or grinding your teeth. These common problems can both lead to pain, but oral appliances do help and can be effectively paired with other forms of treatment to bring lasting relief from facial pain.
Injections
If TMJ or arthritis are causing your facial pain, Dr. Christian may suggest injections to ease your discomfort. Corticosteroid injections alleviate inflammation in your joints that leads to pain. Botox® injections can also be helpful by essentially freezing your muscles and allowing them to relax.
Medications
Medications, including anti-inflammatories, can help relieve pain from a variety of conditions. Dr. Christian discusses your medication options once she determines what the root cause of your pain is.
Cold Laser Therapy
If your pain is caused by TMJ, Dr. Christian may recommend cold laser therapy. This treatment uses a laser at a low intensity to help stimulate your cells to repair themselves. There’s no incision or downtime with this treatment, making it ideal for facial pain.
Dr. Christian may also recommend physical therapy as a treatment option either on its own or in conjunction with other therapies. Specific stretching techniques and strengthening exercises can help ease pain in your jaw and face. Physical therapy also helps reduce the chances that your pain will return in the future.
If facial pain is making your life miserable, don’t hesitate to call our office in Seattle, Washington, at (206) 770-0260. You can also request an appointment using our online booking tool.
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Have a question? We’re here to help. Send us a message and one of our team members will contact you as soon as possible.
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