Facial Numbness and Dental Pain After a Stroke

Numbness on the right side of the face with pain at the junction of the upper and lower teeth?

Facial numbness on the right side (after having a stroke a year ago) – is it common to experience this frequently after a stroke? (I visit the hospital regularly every month for medication and diagnosis, but the doctors say there’s nothing significant.) If there’s nothing significant, what could be the possible factors? Additionally, there is pain at the junction of the upper and lower teeth when eating (it hurts a lot when opening the mouth), to the extent that it makes eating difficult.
What could be the causes of these symptoms (e.g., opening the mouth too wide)? An elderly family member has similar symptoms (age 66, unable to move the lower body, has no teeth and does not wear dentures, relies on gums for eating, usually rests in bed or sits in a chair to exercise and chat).
Due to mobility issues, I would like to ask which specialties should be consulted for these two symptoms.
Furthermore, if I want to go for an examination at the hospital, what specific tests are recommended (such as a brain X-ray)? If any part of the inquiry violates medical regulations, I apologize and kindly ask for responses that do not violate those regulations.
Thank you for your response.

jojo, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2010/10/21

Dr. Chen Bozhang reply Family Medicine

Hello,
Facial numbness may be one of the manifestations of a stroke; however, the specific nerves affected can vary among patients.
It is advisable to consult the attending physician who treated the stroke (usually a neurologist) to determine if the affected nerve areas correspond to the current symptoms.

Additionally, pain when opening the mouth, or an inability to open the mouth wide, typically indicates issues with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or surrounding soft tissues.
I recommend taking the elderly individual to a dental clinic, particularly one with a specialist in temporomandibular disorders, for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Lastly, brain tissue cannot be examined using standard X-rays.
If there is suspicion of a substantive brain lesion, a CT scan or MRI is usually arranged.
However, these procedures require evaluation by a specialist to determine their necessity.
It is still recommended that the elderly individual be followed up and assessed by a neurologist.

I hope this information is helpful to you.

Dr.
Chen Po-Chang, Family Medicine, Keelung Hospital

Reply Date: 2010/10/21

More Info

Facial numbness and dental pain can be concerning symptoms, especially in the context of a past stroke. Understanding these symptoms requires a comprehensive approach that considers both neurological and dental factors.

Firstly, facial numbness on one side of the face, particularly after having experienced a stroke, can be attributed to several causes. After a stroke, it is common for patients to experience residual effects, including numbness, weakness, or altered sensations in the face. This is due to damage to the brain areas responsible for sensory and motor functions. The specific nerves affected can lead to persistent symptoms, and while some patients may see improvement over time, others may continue to experience these sensations.

In your case, it is essential to consult with a neurologist who can evaluate the extent of your neurological recovery and determine if the numbness is a direct result of the stroke or if there are other underlying issues, such as nerve compression or other neurological conditions. Regular follow-ups with your neurologist are crucial, especially if you notice any changes in your symptoms.

Regarding the dental pain you described, particularly pain when opening your mouth or chewing, this could be related to several factors. One common cause is temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, which can occur due to muscle tension, joint misalignment, or even habits like teeth grinding. After a stroke, changes in muscle control and tension can exacerbate these issues.
Another possibility is that the pain could be related to dental issues, such as cavities, gum disease, or problems with the alignment of your teeth. If the pain is severe enough to interfere with eating, it is advisable to see a dentist who specializes in TMJ disorders or a general dentist who can assess your dental health comprehensively.

For the elderly family member you mentioned, who has difficulty eating due to pain and has limited mobility, it is essential to consider both dental and medical evaluations. Since they do not have teeth and rely on their gums for eating, any pain in the jaw or mouth could significantly impact their nutrition and quality of life. A dentist can provide insights into whether any dental interventions, such as dentures or other aids, could improve their situation.

In terms of diagnostic tests, if there are concerns about the neurological aspects of your symptoms, imaging studies such as an MRI or CT scan of the brain may be warranted to rule out any structural issues or complications from the previous stroke. For dental pain, X-rays can help identify any underlying dental problems that may not be visible during a clinical examination.

In summary, for facial numbness and dental pain post-stroke, it is crucial to engage with both a neurologist and a dentist. The neurologist can assess the neurological implications of your symptoms, while the dentist can address any dental issues contributing to your pain. Regular monitoring and a multidisciplinary approach will be key in managing these symptoms effectively.

Similar Q&A

Understanding Sudden Numbness and Pain: Is It a Stroke Warning?

I am a person who often stays up late. Last night at 2 AM, I suddenly experienced swelling and pain on the right side of my face, near the cheek close to the ear. Before going to bed, I noticed some slight tremors in my left hand. Then, in the middle of the night, my entire left ...

Dr. Jiang Junyi reply Neurology
Hello, ma'am: Have you measured your blood pressure? "Stroke warning signs?" These are usually accompanied by elevated blood pressure. "Facial dysfunction?" Facial nerve paralysis only affects the area of the facial nerve and does not cause symptoms in th...

Understanding Tooth Pain and Facial Numbness After Dental Treatment

Dr. Chuang, I have a question: Two days ago, I experienced severe pain in my upper right second molar that kept me awake at night. The pain was intense enough that it radiated to my temple and caused facial discomfort. The following day, I visited a dentist who cleaned and filled...

Dr. Zhuang Suhui reply Dentistry
Hello: If you are still feeling unwell, you should visit a dental clinic to confirm whether it is a dental issue. If dental problems are ruled out, then you should consult a neurologist.

Understanding Oral Pain and Scalp Numbness: A Neurological Perspective

Hello Doctor: My mother has been experiencing oral pain for some time now. She has seen several doctors and even visited Cheng Kung University Hospital, where the doctors said there were no issues with her oral mucosa. Blood tests were conducted, but we have to wait three months ...

Dr. Jiang Junyi reply Neurology
Hello: The issue of pain in the oral cavity may be related to the trigeminal nerve, which distributes sensory information from the forehead, cheeks, and chin to our brain. The sensations within the oral cavity are also transmitted by the trigeminal nerve. When there is an abnorma...

Understanding Facial Numbness and Tingling After Dental Procedures

Hello, Doctor Jiang. Three months ago, I underwent a microscopic root canal treatment on my tooth, which included the final filling. I received anesthesia, but I experienced tooth pain for the next two days. On the third day, I felt numbness in my right face, followed by itching,...

Dr. Jiang Junyi reply Neurology
Hello: Your symptoms may suggest trigeminal neuralgia. Trigeminal neuralgia often shows normal results in nerve conduction studies and imaging in some clinical cases. There are many causes of trigeminal neuralgia, with approximately eighty percent attributed to compression of the...