Tag: diet for trigeminal neuralgia

August 14, 2026

Can Root Canal Treatment Trigger Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Abstract

Root canal treatment is not considered a direct cause of classical trigeminal neuralgia; dental procedures may occasionally result in trigeminal nerve injury or irritation, leading to a condition known as post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain (PTTNP). This condition is of idiopathic and neuropathic origin that becomes a diagnostic challenge for the doctors. Neuropathic pain is caused by dysfunction of the nervous system or a primary lesion or for a secondary reason like Root Canal Treatment. With limited studies or information about the association of endodontic therapy and trigeminal neuralgia leads to a wrong diagnosis, making the patient unwilling to seek help often. So, there is a need to identify characteristics of the condition. Trigeminal neuralgia is usually a secondary trauma while treating the tooth endodontically, also referred to as ‘Post Traumatic Trigeminal Neuralgia’(PTTN), causing local sensory defects to its branches- Lingual nerve, Inferior Alveolar Nerve, branches of Maxillary nerve. Proper dental care and intervening on time are important in managing and preventing the onset of this painful condition.

Trigger Trigeminal Neuralgia

Statistics of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Prevalence

Nerve injury occurs in approximately 2.11% of dental cases.
Endodontic treatments are associated with roughly 7–10% of diagnosed cases of post-traumatic trigeminal nerve injuries.

Demographics: Research indicates that Post-Traumatic Trigeminal Neuropathy (PTTN) following endodontic treatment predominantly affects middle-aged women, typically in their mid-40s.

Location and Cause

Trigeminal neuralgia most commonly affects one side of the face, with the right side being affected slightly more often than the left.
In approximately 90–95% of classical trigeminal neuralgia cases, pain is caused by compression of the trigeminal nerve by a blood vessel near its entry into the brainstem.

Facts About Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is often referred to as the “suicide disease” because of the extreme severity of pain experienced by some patients.
In rare cases, it can affect both sides of the face (bilateral involvement).
Because the pain is frequently felt in the jaw, gums, or teeth, it may initially be mistaken for a dental problem, sometimes leading to unnecessary dental procedures, including root canal treatment.
The condition may have unpredictable periods of remission.
Painful episodes may occur daily for weeks or months, disappear for years, and then recur unexpectedly.
Trigeminal neuralgia usually responds poorly to conventional analgesics (painkillers).
The annual incidence of trigeminal neuralgia is approximately 12 cases per 100,000 people per year.

Introduction

The term “Trigeminal” is derived from the Latin words tria, meaning three, and geminus, meaning twin. The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve and is responsible for facial sensations. It possesses both sensory and motor functions and supplies the maxilla, mandible, and orbital region. Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is considered one of the most excruciating pain conditions known to medicine. The pain mainly involves the lower face and jaw and sometimes the area around the nose and above the eye. It is usually unilateral, meaning it affects only one side of the face, and is characterized by brief, sudden, shock-like episodes of pain. Various forms of trigeminal neuralgia have been described, including classical, secondary, and idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia. Dental procedures such as root canal treatment are performed to preserve the natural tooth and eliminate infection. Although root canal treatment is not considered a direct cause of trigeminal neuralgia, trauma or irritation to branches of the trigeminal nerve during dental procedures may occasionally result in neuropathic pain symptoms that resemble trigeminal neuralgia. During a root canal procedure, local anesthesia is administered to ensure patient comfort and minimize pain. Proper administration of local anesthesia and careful treatment techniques help reduce the risk of nerve irritation, which, in rare cases, may contribute to persistent post-treatment pain.

Branches of the Trigeminal Nerve

The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve and is the primary nerve responsible for sensation in the face. It is divided into three major branches:

Ophthalmic Branch (V1): The ophthalmic branch is purely sensory in function. It supplies sensation to the forehead, scalp, upper eyelid, cornea, and the bridge of the nose. Pain arising in this branch is often felt around the eye, forehead, and upper part of the face.
Maxillary Branch (V2): The maxillary branch is also purely sensory. It provides sensation to the lower eyelid, cheeks, side of the nose, upper lip, upper teeth and gums, and the roof of the mouth. Trigeminal neuralgia affecting this branch can cause severe pain in the upper jaw and cheek region.
Mandibular Branch (V3): The mandibular branch contains both sensory and motor fibers. It supplies sensation to the lower jaw, lower teeth and gums, lower lip, chin, and part of the tongue. Its motor component controls the muscles involved in chewing. Trigeminal neuralgia involving this branch commonly produces pain in the lower jaw and chin area and may interfere with eating and speaking.

Pain Characteristics Of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Pain may be mild, absent for certain periods, or extremely severe.
The pain is often described as an electric shock-like sensation.
Each painful episode usually lasts from a few seconds to about 2 minutes.
The condition is usually unilateral, affecting one side of the face, more commonly the right side than the left.
Pain may be triggered by gentle stimulation of the lips, face, or ala of the nose, as well as by speaking, chewing, brushing teeth, or washing the face.
The pain is typically sharp, shooting, stabbing, radiating, or excruciating in nature.

Triggering Factors of Trigeminal Neuralgia

The painful attacks of trigeminal neuralgia may be triggered by simple daily activities such as:

Washing the face
Touching the face
Shaving
Brushing the teeth
Eating, chewing, or drinking
Talking
Smiling
Exposure to light air or wind on the face
Applying pressure to the cheek or jaw area

These activities stimulate specific trigger zones on the face and may provoke sudden, electric shock-like pain in affected individuals.

Criteria for Trigeminal Neuralgia According to the International Headache Society (IHS)

Recurrent episodes of unilateral facial pain occurring in the distribution of one or more divisions of the trigeminal nerve, with no radiation beyond the trigeminal distribution.
Pain has all of the following characteristics:

Lasts from a few seconds to 2 minutes
Severe in intensity
Electric shock-like, shooting, stabbing, or sharp in nature

Pain is triggered by innocuous stimuli within the affected trigeminal nerve distribution.
The pain is not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 (International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd Edition) diagnosis.

Risk Factors for Developing Chronic Pain After Dental Treatment

Certain individuals may be more prone to developing chronic pain following dental procedures. Factors that may increase the risk include:

The technique used during the procedure
The type and severity of pain present before dental treatment
Psychosocial factors, such as stress and anxiety
Older age
Female sex
Genetic predisposition

How Does Root Canal Therapy (RCT) Work ?

A root canal is a dental treatment designed to eliminate infection or injury within the tooth pulp and save the affected tooth. During the procedure, the infected or inflamed pulp tissue is removed, the root canals are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and then sealed with a filling material. The treated tooth is often restored with a crown (tooth cap) to strengthen it and restore its function.

Symptoms that may require RCT include:

Swelling
Pain
Sensitivity to hot or cold foods and beverages

However, procedural errors or complications such as:

Excess filling material passing beyond the natural end of the root canal
Overextension of endodontic files beyond the root canal
Incorrect handling of dental instruments or equipment can lead to injury of nearby nerve structures, especially the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN).

Injury to branches of the trigeminal nerve may lead to post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathic pain (PTTNP), which can present as persistent pain, tingling, numbness, burning sensations, or altered sensory perception affecting the face, jaw, lips or tongue. In some cases, these symptoms may resemble trigeminal neuralgia. Such nerve damage can have a substantial impact on an individual’s quality of life, making routine activities such as eating, drinking, chewing, speaking, and smiling difficult.

Why dental treatment triggers trigeminal pain ?

Dental procedures are performed in tight anatomical spaces within the oral cavity. Structures such as the teeth, tooth roots, surrounding bone, dental instruments, and drills lie close to branches of the trigeminal nerve. Therefore, when nerve-related pain begins after a dental procedure, it may be due to chemical irritation, mechanical trauma, or inflammatory compression.
Mechanical trauma may occur due to contact, bruising, or compression of the nerve by nearby structures or instruments. Patients may experience numbness, tingling, or sharp pain when the nerve is irritated or compressed.
Chemical irritation may result from the use of irrigants, disinfectants, antibiotic pastes, or local anesthetic injections. If these substances extend to the root apex or beyond, they may irritate nearby nerve tissues.
Inflammatory compression may occur as a post-treatment complication when swelling, tissue pressure, bleeding, or inflammation develops within the confined anatomical space around the nerve.

Conclusion

Trigeminal neuralgia is a painful condition often described as a “lightning bolt” to the face. These short-lasting pain spasms can occur several times a day in affected individuals. Trigeminal neuralgia is usually unilateral and can involve any division of the trigeminal nerve. The most common cause of trigeminal neuralgia is compression of the trigeminal nerve root by a blood vessel. Several therapeutic interventions are available for trigeminal neuralgia, with pharmacological therapy being the primary treatment regardless of the underlying cause. The course of the disease is variable; some patients may experience episodes for several weeks or months, followed by periods of complete remission. The diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia should be considered in patients presenting with idiopathic tooth pain that does not respond to conventional dental interventions. By recognizing the characteristic features of this neuropathic pain condition and establishing an early diagnosis, patients can be spared months of suffering and unnecessary dental treatment.

July 27, 2024

Natural Ayurvedic Treatment Of Trigeminal Neuralgia

ABSTRACT

The human body is a complex structure made up of nerves, muscles, bone, connective tissues, ligaments and many more. Every structure has its specific area of function. Nerves are also part of this complex structure. These nerves work the function of carrying electrical impulses from the brain to the body or vice versa. These electrical impulses carry massage from brain to body or body to the brain and thus help in the normal functioning of the body. The Trigeminal nerve or Cranial nerve V, is a complex and largest nerve as compared to other cranial nerves (12 in number). This nerve works as sensory, motor and autonomic function. This nerve is mainly responsible for the sensation of temperature, touch and pain perception. Here, in this article, we are going to study Trigeminal Neuralgia which occurs when blood vessels put pressure on the Trigeminal nerve. Now let’s start a detailed study of Trigeminal Neuralgia and its other aspects.

INTRODUCTION

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic disorder in which a patient suffers from pain in the face where a supply of Trigeminal nerves is present. This pain starts from near the top of the ear and splits towards the jaw, eye and cheek. Usually, the pain in the case of Trigeminal Neuralgia occurs on one side of the face i.e. unilateral, as these nerves are present on both sides of the face separately. The patient with Trigeminal Neuralgia suffers from severe and sudden pain attacks in the facial regions. This disease is more common in females as compared to males. The Trigeminal nerve which carries signals from the face to the brain is affected by this disease. Initially, this disease starts from mild and short episodes of pain but with time when the condition is worse, the duration of the period of pain is increased. Now, we are going to study about causes, symptoms, signs, diagnosis, diet and home remedies for Trigeminal neuralgia. Also, we go through a detailed study about Ayurvedic treatment for trigeminal neuralgia and home remedies for trigeminal neuralgia by Planet Ayurveda. Let’s start!

CAUSES OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

The causes of Trigeminal neuralgia are as follows

When any blood vessel puts pressure on the trigeminal nerve and disrupts its normal function
Any tumour pressing against the trigeminal nerve
Any facial trauma
Any injury due to surgery
Multiple Sclerosis in which myelin sheath is damaged that protects nerves.

There are some trigger factors that can lead to pain in the patient with Trigeminal neuralgia as follows

Shaving, brushing the teeth, putting on makeup
Eating, drinking, talking or smiling
Touching face, a light breeze blowing through the mouth
Applying pressure on the face

SIGNS OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

The primary sign of Trigeminal neuralgia is a sudden and shooting pain on the affected side of the face. This pain is similar to an electric shock. This pain may be triggered by chewing, touching the face, brushing and other activities in which the face is involved.

SYMPTOMS OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Symptoms of Trigeminal neuralgia are sudden and last from a few seconds to about 2 minutes. Following are some of the common symptoms of Trigeminal neuralgia

Sudden, intense pain in the face
Facial spasm
Pain in the regions where trigeminal nerve supply is present like the cheek, jaw, gums, lips and teeth. Sometimes this affects the eyes and forehead also
Mainly the pain focused on one point of the face
The intensity of episodes of pain increases with time
The attacks of the pain rarely occur at the time of sleeping
Usually, the pain affects one side of the face but in some patients, it may be on both sides but the pain attacks occur on one side at a time

दोषास्तु दुष्टास्त्र्य एव मन्याम् सम्पीडय घाटासु रूजाम् सुतिव्राम् |
कुर्वन्ति साक्षिभ्रुवि शङ्खदेशे स्थितिम् करोत्याशु विशेषतस्तु ||
गण्डस्य पार्श्ववे तु करोति कम्पम् हनुग्रहम् लोचनजंश्च रोगान् |
अनन्तवातम् तमुदाहरन्ति दोषत्रयोत्थम् शिरसो विकारम् ||

( सुश्रुतसंहिता उत्तरतन्त्रम् 25/13-14)

According to the above text, aggravation of all three doshas, that is Vata, Pitta and Kapha, press both nerves or blood vessels (Manya nadis) on either side of the neck and produce severe pain in the neck region. These doshas are also lodged in the eyebrows, temples and eyes and cause pulsation in affected areas.

DIAGNOSIS OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Diagnosis of Trigeminal neuralgia can be done by the combination of history of the patient and physical examination. Some other diagnostic tests that are useful in the diagnosis of Trigeminal neuralgia are as follows

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to identify nerve damage, compression by blood vessels or any tumour that compresses trigeminal nerves.
Neurological examination to identify the site of pain, intensity and frequency of the pain by touching that part of the face.
Some other tests like CBC, CT, electromyography etc to rule out other associated conditions.

AYURVEDIC OVERVIEW OF TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic disorder which is characterised by severe and sudden attacks of pain in the face regions. These attacks may vary from person to person and severity of the disease. This pain can be described as a stabbing sensation and feels like an electric shock in the affected region. This pain mainly affects the jaw teeth and gum area of the face. This disorder consists of neuropathic pain that affects the Trigeminal nerves of the face region. In Ayurveda, Trigeminal Neuralgia correlates with Anantavata. The word Anantavta is derived from Anant which means severe pain and Vata which shows the predominant involvement of Vata dosha. The vitiation of all three Dosha (Vata dominant) presses the Manya Nadis or nerves and blood vessels and causes severe pain in the back of the neck region. This pain also involves the eyes, eyebrows, upper jaw and nose.

DIET FOR TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Fruits like Apple, bananas, watermelon, pears, peaches, muskmelon, pomegranate, litchi and berries
Vegetables like spinach, fenugreek leaves, carrot, beetroot, pumpkin, broccoli, kale, bottled gourd and cauliflower
Spices like fenugreek seeds, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cumin seeds, coriander, pepper and fennel seeds
Pulses like green grams, pigeon peas, yellow lentils
Dry fruit like flax seeds, almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds

HOME REMEDIES FOR TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Application of cloth soaked in warm water on the affected area where pain attack occurs
Application of warm mustard oil on the affected area
Use soft toothbrush
Avoid hot water or cold water to wash your face

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT AND PANCHKARMA FOR TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

अनन्तवाते कर्तव्यः सूर्यावर्तहरो विधिः |
सिराव्यधश्च कर्तव्योअनन्तवातपशान्तये ||

( सुश्रुतसंहिता उत्तरतन्त्रम् 26/36)

According to the above text, the line of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia or Anantavata is the same as the line of treatment for Suryavarta disease which is as follows

सूर्यावर्ते विधातव्यं नस्यकर्मादिभेषजम् |
भोजनम् जङ्गलप्रायम् क्षीरान्नविकृतिर्घृतम् ||

( सुश्रुतसंहिता उत्तरतन्त्रम् 26/30)

सूर्यावर्ते सिरावेधो नावनम् क्षीरसर्पिषोः |
हितः क्षीरघृताभ्यासस्ताभ्याम सह विरेचनम् ||

(योगरत्नाकर)

According to the above Ayurvedic text, the line of the treatment of Anantavata and Surysavarta is as follows

Nasya (process used to clean upper respiratory passage and draining of the excess mucus)
Siravedha (puncturing of vein for therapeutic purposes)
Intake of milk and Ghee
Virechana (therapeutic purgation) with virechana drugs mixed into milk and Ghee

According to Ayurvedic texts, the common line of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia is described above. The common drug formulations that can be used in the treatment of Trigeminal neuralgia are as follows

Application of Lepa of juice of seeds of Suryamukhi (Helianthus annuus) on head
Dantibhasma, Praval Bhsma (prepared from coral) with Ghrit
Nasya with Katphala churna
Trikatu powder

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda manufactures Ayurvedic formulations on a wide range which contains natural herbs and their extracts. All these herbal formulations are made up after several tests and trials by experts of Planet Ayurveda. These formulations are present in several options like tablets, capsules, powders, oil and many decoctions. Planet Ayurveda always promotes Ancient Ayurveda by Manufacturing the original formulations that are mentioned in Ayurvedic texts. All these formulations are very efficient in their functions as these are directly extracted by nature. Here, in this text, we are going to study one of the highly efficient formulations for Trigeminal neuralgia by Planet Ayurveda. Trigeminal neuralgia care pack by Planet Ayurveda is a complete remedy for the treatment of Trigeminal neuralgia. This pack consists of 4 products that are Boswellia Curcumin, Hakam churna, Ashwagandha capsules and Yograj guggul. Let’s start!

Boswellia Curcumin
Hakam Churna
Ashwagandha Capsules
Yograj Guggul

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

1. BOSWELLIA CURCUMIN

This is a polyherbal formulation which consists of Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and Curcumin (Curcuma longa). Both of these two drugs are highly efficient in their function. These capsules are anti-inflammatory in nature. It helps relieve pain in Trigeminal neuralgia patients. This formulation helps in maintaining healthy blood composition.

Dosage : 2 capsules twice daily with warm water after meals.

2. HAKAM CHURNA

This is a polyherbal formulation of Planet Ayurveda which consists of ingredients like Methi (Trigonella foenum graecum), Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi), Kalonji (Nigella sativa) and Chandershoor (Lepidium sativum). This churna is anti-inflammatory in nature. This formulation also helps in relieving pain in the condition of Trigeminal neuralgia.

Dosage : 1 tablespoon with warm water after meals.

3. ASHWAGANDHA CAPSULES

Ashwagandha capsules are a single herbal formulation for the treatment of Trigeminal neuralgia by Planet Ayurveda. The key ingredient of this capsule is Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). These capsules help in relieving muscles. These capsules help in improving the stamina and strength of the body. These are helpful in maintaining overall body health.

Dosage : 1 capsule with warm water after meals.

4. YOGRAJ GUGGUL

It is a polyherbal formulation of Planet Ayurveda which consists of ingredients like Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica), Chavya (Piper cubeba), Rasna (Pluchea lanceolata), musta (Cyperus rotundus) and many more. This formulation shows effective results in maintaining nervous system health. It also supports the immune system and musculoskeletal system of the body.

Dosage : 2 tablets with warm water after meals.

CONCLUSION

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a rare condition that can be difficult to diagnose and treat. The pain attacks in this disorder are triggered by various factors. This disorder affects the patient’s life significantly. It is necessary to diagnose properly and treat in a proper manner. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for proper management of this disease. Along with treatment, it is necessary for the patient to avoid the trigger factor of trigeminal neuralgia, so the pain attacks can be avoided. According to Ayurveda texts, Anantavata is the correlated disease of trigeminal neuralgia. The line of treatment according to Ayurveda is very useful in the management of the disease. There are various formulations and Panchkarma treatments for the management of the condition of Trigeminal neuralgia. Planet Ayurveda’s Trigeminal Neuralgia Care Pack for the management of Trigeminal Neuralgia is the best herbal formulation in the management of the same.