Trigeminal neuralgia is a swelling (inflammation) of the trigeminal nerve, which occurs more frequently with increasing age. The swelling can result in very painful, sharp electric-like spasms that last a few seconds or minutes. The pain is usually on only one side of the face, often around the eye, cheek and lower part of the face. The pain can be triggered by routine activities, such as shaving, eating, brushing your teeth, talking and putting on makeup.
This condition frequently is misdiagnosed as dental disease. If you experience recurrent facial pain, a neurological consult may be needed. Doctors at the SSM Neurosciences Institute can effectively manage trigeminal neuralgia with medications, injections or surgery.