Emergency Treatment for Facial Pain

Sudden facial pain has a way of stopping you in your tracks. Unlike other types of pain that you might be tempted to “wait out,” facial pain often signals that something needs immediate attention.

At Complete Care, we understand that facial pain emergencies don’t keep regular business hours, and they definitely don’t wait for a convenient time to show up. That’s why our team of experienced emergency medicine specialists is ready 24/7 to diagnose and treat the source of your facial pain quickly and effectively.

Our freestanding emergency rooms are equipped with on-site imaging, laboratory services, and everything needed to provide you with fast, comprehensive care — without the long wait times you’d typically experience at a traditional hospital ER. If you’re experiencing severe or sudden facial pain, swelling, numbness, or any symptoms that concern you, visit your nearest Complete Care freestanding ER locations today.

For life-threatening situations, please call 911.

Table of Contents

What is severe pain in the face?
What would cause one side of my face to hurt?
How to relieve facial pain?
When to go to the ER for facial pain

What is severe pain in the face?

Facial pain can show up in many different ways — it might feel like a dull ache, a sharp stabbing sensation, a burning feeling, or even a tender soreness when you touch certain areas. It’s your body’s way of telling you that something needs medical attention, and it’s important to listen.

Severe facial pain can stem from a variety of causes, including:

Dental emergencies: Abscessed teeth, severe cavities, cracked teeth, or infected gums can create intense pain that radiates through your jaw and face.
Sinus infections: When your sinuses become inflamed or infected, the pressure and pain can spread across your cheeks, forehead, and around your eyes.
TMJ disorders: Problems with your jaw joint (temporomandibular joint) can cause pain in your jaw, face, and even your ears.
Trigeminal neuralgia: A condition affecting the facial nerve that causes sudden, severe, electric shock-like pain in the face.
Facial trauma or head injuries: Accidents, falls, or impacts that result in fractures, bruising, or tissue damage.
Infections: Skin infections, ear infections, or other bacterial or viral infections that affect the facial area.
Migraines or cluster headaches: Severe headaches that can cause significant facial pain and pressure.
Shingles: A painful viral infection that can affect the nerves in your face, causing burning pain and a characteristic rash.

The key thing to remember is that severe facial pain isn’t something you should try to tough out or ignore. Because your face contains so many vital structures — including nerves, blood vessels, your jaw, sinuses, and teeth — pain in this area can sometimes indicate a condition that needs prompt treatment.

What would cause one side of my face to hurt?

When pain shows up on just one side of your face, it can feel especially concerning. The truth is, many conditions that cause facial pain are localized to one side, and familiarizing yourself with the possible causes can help you recognize when it’s time to seek emergency care.

Facial pain on the right side

When you experience pain on the right side of the face and jaw, there are some specific considerations to keep in mind:

Chewing patterns: Many people favor chewing on one side of their mouth, which can lead to increased wear and tear on the right temporomandibular joint if that’s their dominant side.
Sleeping position: If you consistently sleep on your right side, it can put pressure on that side of your face and exacerbate TMJ issues or sinus congestion.
Structural pain: It could simply be that the affected structure — whether it’s a tooth, your right sinus cavity, or your right jaw joint — is on the right side.

Pay attention to whether certain activities like chewing, yawning, or lying on your right side make the pain worse, as this can help our medical team pinpoint the exact cause.

Facial pain on the left side

Pain on the left side of the face and jaw requires particular attention due to one critical distinction:

Cardiac connection: Left-sided jaw and facial pain can sometimes be related to cardiac issues, including angina or even a heart attack, particularly when accompanied by other symptoms.
Warning signs: Seek immediate emergency care if your left-sided facial or jaw pain occurs with chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, lightheadedness, or pain radiating down your left arm.
Women’s symptoms: Women, especially, may experience atypical heart attack symptoms, including jaw or facial pain without significant chest pain.
Structural pain: Like right-sided pain, left-sided face pain can indicate problems with teeth, the sinus cavity, or the jaw joint on the left side of your face.

Our Complete Care team is equipped to quickly evaluate whether your facial pain has a cardiac component or stems from another cause, ensuring you receive the right treatment without delay.

How to relieve facial pain?

When facial pain strikes, finding relief becomes your top priority. While some at-home measures can provide temporary comfort for mild discomfort, it’s important to understand that these are not substitutes for professional medical evaluation — especially if your pain is severe, sudden, or worsening.

Here are some methods that may help ease facial pain while you’re on your way to get proper care:

Apply a cold compress: For swelling or acute injuries, placing a cold pack wrapped in a cloth against the painful area for 15–20 minutes can help reduce inflammation and numb the pain.
Use a warm compress: For sinus-related pain or TMJ discomfort, gentle warmth can relax muscles and ease pressure — try a warm, damp cloth against your face.
Take over-the-counter pain medication: Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can provide temporary relief, but always follow the dosage instructions on the label.
Rest your jaw: If TMJ issues are causing your pain, try eating soft foods and avoid chewing gum, biting hard foods, or clenching your jaw.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help thin mucus if sinus congestion is contributing to your facial pain.
Elevate your head: When lying down, prop yourself up with pillows to help sinus drainage and reduce pressure in your face.
Practice gentle massage: Lightly massaging the painful area in circular motions may provide some relief for muscle tension.
Avoid triggers: Stay away from extreme temperatures, loud noises, or bright lights if they seem to worsen your pain.

While these techniques can offer temporary comfort, they don’t address the underlying cause of your facial pain. The most effective way to truly relieve facial pain is to identify and treat its underlying cause — and that requires professional medical care.

When to go to the ER for facial pain

Knowing when facial pain requires emergency care can be confusing, but there are clear warning signs that should never be ignored. Trust your instincts — if something feels seriously wrong or you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s always better to get checked out than to wait and risk complications.

Chest pain or pressure
Difficulty breathing or swallowing
Sudden, severe headache
Vision changes
Numbness or weakness
High fever
Severe swelling
Facial trauma
Pus or drainage
Unbearable pain

Additionally, you should visit the ER if your facial pain has been persistent for several days without improvement, is progressively getting worse, or is affecting your quality of life. At Complete Care, we’re here to evaluate your symptoms quickly, provide accurate diagnoses using state-of-the-art imaging and lab work, and deliver the treatment you need to feel better.

Find lasting relief for your facial pain at Complete Care

Facial pain doesn’t have to control your day. Whether you’re dealing with a sudden emergency or persistent discomfort that’s finally reached its breaking point, Complete Care is ready to help you get back to feeling like yourself.

Our freestanding ER locations are open 24/7 with no appointment necessary, so you can walk in whenever you need us — day or night, weekday or weekend. With board-certified emergency physicians, on-site diagnostic imaging, and full laboratory services all under one roof, we provide comprehensive care that gets to the root of your facial pain fast.

Stop suffering in silence and start your journey to relief. Find your nearest Complete Care location in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Lubbock, San Antonio, or Colorado Springs and experience the difference that expert emergency care can make.