Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a disorder that causes severe facial pain, usually on one side. People affected by this condition describe it as “shock-like” or “electric” pain. Notably, studies widely associate it with complications of dental surgeries or other procedures. This article will explain how it occurs after a PTTN or post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy, its dangers, and your option for trigeminal neuralgia relief in Rochester.
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The Link Between Trigeminal Neuralgia And Tooth Pain
TN afflicts roughly 15,000 Americans each year. Notably, it causes significant discomfort to the affected individuals. It’s not uncommon for patients who have already suffered trauma to their neck or dental procedure to develop trigeminal neuralgia later in life.
This is because the trauma can cause misalignment of the cervical spine, which can lead to pressure on the trigeminal nerve and cause it to send false signals back to the brain that there’s something wrong with your jaws or mouth.
The trigeminal nerve controls sensation in your face and sends messages back to the brain about touch, temperature, pain and temperature detection, and facial movements like chewing. Sometimes, this can even be mistaken for tooth pain.
So when you visit a dentist for any dental work, be sure that it is someone you trust, so they’re taking all necessary precautions to protect your entire body and overall health from potential harm and not just surface tooth pain. It would also help to discuss concerns for complications so you can assess your risks and consider other alternatives. If you notice any strange sensations or odd pains after dental treatment, consult your dentist or doctor immediately!
How Long Do Trigeminal Neuralgia Symptoms Last?
This condition can occur in people of all ages and gender, but it’s more common in adults and more likely to affect women than men. Its symptoms start out mild and get worse over time, making it easy to be misdiagnosed as a dental issue at first, especially since people with trigeminal neuralgia often experience tooth pain along with facial pain.
A person with TN usually experiences short, sharp bursts of pain, and the time that TN lasts varies from person to person. Typically, it can last for seconds, minutes, or hours at a time. In some severe cases, it lasts for several days before subsiding again, so it can really disrupt one’s daily life.
While TN itself doesn’t cause lasting damage to the brain or nerves themselves, it does cause them to misfire — which can lead to inflammation, swelling, and irritation of nearby tissues over time that results in some incredibly excruciating pain.
Can Botched Dental Procedures Cause Trigeminal Neuralgia?
The simple answer is YES! Even if a number of things can cause it, one of the most common triggers is gum disease due to bad dental hygiene or poorly performed dental procedures – or both.
The unfortunate damage to the trigeminal nerve happens when something goes wrong during an oral surgery procedure. For example, suppose a dentist accidentally cuts too deeply into your gums while performing a root canal or other procedure on one of your teeth. In that case, they could sever or otherwise damage the trigeminal nerve.
If this happens, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Numbness and tingling sensations in your lip and cheek areas that spread up towards your forehead
- Intermittent pain that comes and goes
- Involuntary muscle contractions
- Inflammation around your mouth and cheeks
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing food properly due to a lack of feeling on one side of your face
- Difficulty speaking clearly due to muscle spasms or weakness around one side of your mouth or jaw area (this is called dysarthria)
Be Wary Of Your Dental Health Choices
Dental procedures usually post problems when:
- It’s done for cosmetic purposes rather than dental health necessities.
- It’s done incorrectly or poorly.
- You have complications during recovery.
One of the biggest dangers of dental surgery is that patients often go in blindly, not knowing much about the procedure they’re going for or the doctor doing it. So, before undergoing any procedure or treatment plan for your aching teeth or gums, ask as many questions as possible so you can clarify your concerns and assess risks. Don’t forget to share underlying health concerns that can potentially affect your condition or procedure.
Another concern with dental surgeries or procedures is infection. You should take all precautions to avoid both types of infection before and after dental surgery. It would also help to maintain a healthy lifestyle (including brushing twice daily) and following your dentist’s instructions carefully during recovery.
Best Noninvasive Trigeminal Neuralgia Relief in Rochester
While TN symptoms can be hard to live with, a natural approach for trigeminal neuralgia relief in Rochester can help manage the pain. This recommended option is called upper cervical chiropractic care.
This approach is a type of chiropractic technique that focuses on the upper vertebrae, which are the bones in your neck. The upper vertebrae are connected to the base of your skull and to your brain, so if they’re out of alignment, it could lead to a domino effect that results in problems with your nervous system – as is the case with trigeminal neuralgia.
If you want to know more about how this care plan can help you enjoy trigeminal neuralgia relief in Rochester, visit Balanced Living Chiropractic and Functional Medicine. Dr. Richard Cicala and our entire team will help you get the trigeminal neuralgia relief that lasts! You can book your appointment via our contact form or landline (248) 831-0729.
To schedule a complimentary NUCCA consultation, call 248-831-0729 or just click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.