Persistent Facial Pain — Know When to See Your GP

What persistent facial pain means

Persistent facial pain refers to pain affecting the face, jaw, mouth, teeth, eyes, or forehead that lasts longer than expected, keeps recurring, or does not respond to simple measures. The pain may feel sharp, stabbing, burning, aching, electric, or pressure-like. Because many structures share nerve pathways in the face, symptoms can overlap and feel confusing.

Common causes your GP considers

Facial pain may arise from dental problems, sinus disease, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, migraine, tension-type headache, eye conditions, nerve irritation, or previous injury. Infections, inflammation, and musculoskeletal strain can all contribute. Identifying the cause requires careful history and examination rather than assumptions.

Trigeminal neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a nerve condition that causes sudden, severe, electric-shock-like facial pain. Attacks are often brief but intense and may be triggered by light touch, chewing, speaking, brushing teeth, or cold air. Pain usually affects one side of the face and follows the distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Although uncommon, trigeminal neuralgia is important to recognise because it requires specific assessment and management.

Post-herpetic neuralgia

Post-herpetic neuralgia is nerve pain that persists after shingles (herpes zoster). It often causes burning, stabbing, or sensitive pain in an area where a shingles rash previously occurred. Even light touch can feel painful. This condition is more likely with increasing age and can significantly affect sleep, mood, and quality of life.

When facial pain needs prompt review

See your GP if facial pain lasts more than a few weeks, is severe, worsening, recurrent, one-sided, associated with numbness, weakness, vision changes, fever, weight loss, or follows shingles. Sudden neurological symptoms or severe pain with swelling require urgent medical care.

How your GP can help

Your GP will take a detailed history, examine the face, jaw, mouth, ears, and neurological function, and consider whether imaging, blood tests, dental review, or specialist referral is needed. Management depends on the cause and may involve pain control, treating inflammation or infection, nerve-specific treatment, or coordinated specialist care. Not all facial pain is dental — and not all nerve pain feels the same — which is why assessment matters.

Reassurance and next steps

Persistent facial pain can be distressing, but clear diagnosis improves outcomes. Early GP review helps distinguish common causes from less common nerve conditions and supports timely, appropriate care.

This article provides general health information only and does not replace medical advice. Please speak with your GP for personalised care.