The main oral symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia are severe facial pain. Treatment requires a combination of medication, surgery, and lifestyle adjustments. Trigeminal neuralgia is a neuropathic pain caused by compression or damage to the trigeminal nerve. Oral symptoms typically include sudden, severe pain that may be triggered by chewing, speaking, or touching the face.
1. Medication is the first-line treatment for relieving trigeminal neuralgia. Carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and gabapentin are commonly used antiepileptic drugs that can effectively reduce abnormal nerve discharges and relieve pain. For patients with more severe pain, doctors may recommend short-term use of analgesics such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, but attention should be paid to the potential side effects of long-term use.
2. Surgical treatment is suitable for patients who do not respond to or cannot tolerate medication. Microvascular decompression is a common surgical method that relieves pain by removing the blood vessel compressing the trigeminal nerve. Other surgical methods include radiofrequency ablation and Gamma Knife radiosurgery, which reduce pain by destroying some nerve fibers, but may be accompanied by certain risks and sequelae.
3. Lifestyle modifications can also help alleviate trigeminal neuralgia symptoms. Avoiding activities that trigger pain, such as chewing hard foods or experiencing hot or cold stimuli, can reduce the frequency of pain attacks. Maintaining good oral hygiene and having regular dental checkups helps prevent oral infections and inflammation, avoiding worsening of neuralgia. Appropriate facial massage and warm compresses can relieve muscle tension and reduce pain.
Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms in the oral cavity require comprehensive treatment, combining medication, surgery, and lifestyle modifications to effectively relieve pain and improve quality of life. Timely medical attention and following the doctor's advice are key to controlling trigeminal neuralgia.