What you may feel
- Sudden severe electric-like pain, usually on one side of the face.
- Attacks often last seconds to around two minutes.
- Pain may affect the cheek, jaw, tooth region or forehead.
- Touching the face, chewing, talking or toothbrushing may trigger attacks.
- There may be pain-free intervals, sometimes with background aching.
How it is assessed
Attack duration and triggers matter. Assessment may include neurological examination and MRI.
Record the pain location, attack duration and frequency, possible triggers and medicines used. Mention previous dental or other procedures.
Approaches to care
Treatment requires specifically selected medication and, when needed, discussion of specialist procedures.
Track not only pain intensity but attack frequency and impact on daily life. Review medication changes and treatment response with your clinician.
When to seek urgent help
A sudden unusually severe headache, new speech or vision problems, weakness, altered consciousness, or a stiff neck with fever need emergency care.
Further reading: NHS
This is educational information and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Similar symptoms alone do not establish a diagnosis.