Follow the treatment prescribed for the cause of the pain.

Painkillers may provide temporary relief. If the pain is severe or persistent, call your primary health care provider or dentist.

• Face pain is accompanied by chest, shoulder, neck, or arm pain. This could mean a heart attack. Call your local emergency number (such as 911).
• Pain is throbbing, worse on one side of the face, and aggravated by eating. Call a dentist.
• Pain is persistent, unexplained, or accompanied by other unexplained symptoms. Call your primary health care provider.

In emergency situations (such as a possible heart attack), you will first be stabilized. Then, the health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. For tooth problems, expect a referral to a dentist or orthodontist.

You may be asked the following questions:

• What part of your face is in pain?
• Is the pain on both sides?
• If the pain is only on one side, which side is it on?
• Is the pain over a sinus (forehead, cheekbones)?
• Did the pain begin suddenly?
• Is face pain occurring repeatedly (is it recurrent)?
• How long have the episodes of face pain lasted (for how many months)?
• How long does each episode of pain last (how many seconds)?
• Is the pain worse when speaking, chewing, or swallowing?
• Does the pain develop when touching a specific part of the face (trigger point)?
• Did face pain occur before the start of a brain or nervous system problem (weakness, speech loss)?
• What other symptoms do you have?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Dental x-rays (if a tooth problem is suspected)
• ECG (if heart problems are suspected)
• Tonometry (if glaucoma is suspected)
• X-rays of the sinuses

Neurological tests will be performed if nerve damage is suspected.