Can I go to the dentist without getting a trigeminal neuralgia attack?

UCLA Health

Dental treatment can certainly precipitate or trigger trigeminal neuralgia. My suggestion would be to maximize the local anesthesia (the injection of the numbing medicine) given during the dental procedure. One might also want to temporarily increase the dose of medication used for the trigeminal neuralgia. That's something you should discuss with your neurologist or your primary care doctor.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Neuralgia

The term neuralgia is used to describe pain that radiates along the path of a nerve. In some cases the cause is unknown, but the condition can be caused by some drugs, irritation from chemicals, kidney problems, diabetes, infections, pressure on nerves or from an injury. Trigeminal neuralgia is the most common type and involves facial pain. Neuralgia can occur at any age, but it is most common among the elderly. Neuralgia is not life-threatening, but the pain can be severe. A pain specialist can suggest ways to control the pain.

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