What is facial pain?
Facial pain is a feeling of discomfort in specific areas of your face. You might experience dull aching pain, mild to moderate discomfort, or sharp pain in the front part of your face or near your jaw.
Facial discomfort can result from an injury, disease, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), or obstructive sleep apnea.
What are the risk factors for facial pain?
The following factors can increase your risk of experiencing facial pain:
- Jaw joint damage
- Arthritis
- A jaw injury
- Teeth clenching or grinding
- Connective tissue diseases
- Obstructive sleep apnea
TMJ is one of the most common causes of facial pain. Fortunately, simple treatments with the Snoring & Sleep Apnea Center specialists can alleviate your discomfort and reduce the risk of future problems.
How does my provider diagnose facial pain?
To find the root cause of facial pain, your provider discusses your symptoms and medical history. They examine your face and jaw joint and ask you to open and close your mouth. Your specialist may suggest you undergo X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs.
What are my facial pain treatment options?
Some of the many facial pain treatments available at Snoring & Sleep Apnea Center include:
Medications
Taking medications can alleviate facial pain caused by TMJ disorders, arthritis, other diseases, or injuries.
Injections
Corticosteroid or Botox® injections can help ease facial pain associated with TMJ disorders or other joint problems.
Cold laser therapy
Cold laser therapy uses low-intensity laser light energy to stimulate healing naturally and relieve facial pain without heat, incisions, or needles. This type of noninvasive treatment is fast and painless.
Oral appliances
Wearing oral appliances at night when you sleep can reduce teeth clenching and grinding and open your airway. These appliances help you get a better night’s sleep without waking up with morning headaches or facial pain.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy strength exercises and stretches can alleviate jaw discomfort and other types of facial pain while reducing your risk of future problems.
Don’t live with facial pain when noninvasive solutions offer long-lasting relief. Schedule an appointment with Snoring & Sleep Apnea Center by phone or book online today.
