HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Pain And Electric Shock Sensation In Inner Upper Gums?

default
Posted on Mon, 11 May 2015
Question: I have had a unilateral headache for 25 years. I was struck on right side while shoveling snow by truck that was plowing snow, lost conciousness was revived by coworkers. Next day I had dental work on upper right side. When novacane wore off had chronic pain top right of head. Only relief was when I had
wisdom teeth pulled. Pain returned when novacane wore off.Inner upper gums feel slightly electric & sensitive from mid line to right. Whats wrong & any known solutions??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dariush Saghafi (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Chronic post traumatic or postconcussive headache/facial pain

Detailed Answer:
Good morning. My name is Dr. Saghafi. I am a neurologist and Headache and Facial Pain specialist. Your case is one we commonly see in terms of people who suffered significant concussive blows to the head and facial structures.

Your description of what happened to you is quite clear. Major blow of force to the head by a heavy object (snowplow) which knocked you unconscious followed by chronic pain and headaches over the area that got struck. I'm not clear on all of the characteristics of pain or headache that you have. Is there a true HEADACHE or is this more a facial/jaw/gum type of pain that initiates which then, radiates up or causes a right sided headache to ensue? Do you have this head and facial pain 24/7 or are there definite periods of time where there is relief? Can you go hours or days at a time WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF PAIN OR DISCOMFORT? Or is there is sensitivity in the gums where you were struck and where you had your wisdom teeth pulled which just doesn't quit?

Can other things trigger these headaches such as light, sound, smells, or certain tastes such as sour things, chewing movements, yawning, speaking?

I believe what has definitely happened is you've suffered damage to a structure in the face known as the TRIGEMINAL NERVE which is believed the generator of migraine and other types of headaches. In your case since this occurred on the basis of a traumatic blow to the head then, the resulting headaches and facial pain accompanying it could be referred to as a secondary consequence of the trauma and hence a chronic posttraumatic or postconcussive (concussion occurred at the time) form of headache. The fact, that there is ongoing facial pain on the right pain as well suggests a form of trigeminal neuritis which then, triggers the headache and that sets up an ongoing vicious circle of triggering pain causing headache which if it subsides can come again in a wave of sorts after some stimulation to the right side of the gums/teeth or face and this keeps repeating itself.

Another term for this type of problem would would chronic Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It used to go by the name of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) but that's an older more antiquated term.

This is a form of chronic pain which involves some element of the autonomic nervous system and almost always is caused by a traumatic incident (i.e blow to the head, fracture of a bone, jaw, severe laceration of deep structures such as muscle, tendons, and ligaments, etc. etc.).

Treatments are available but they are not always satisfactory and pain can be very severe and debilitating at times. I imagine you've been seen by neurologists in the past for this and tried on a number of agents. Perhaps, you can just list some examples of what you've been given for these headaches and facial pains. Otherwise, there is no known cure to the problem. We hope that at some point the affected area will just "burn itself out" but in your case, you're young and I don't think this thing has run its full course yet. Still, there may be some things that have not been tried.

Are your headaches at all like migraine types of headaches with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, which can improve with rest? Or is the pain more likely that the most severe headache type of pain in the world which is accompanied by nasal stuffiness ONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE of the face, tearing of the right eye, changes in sweating patterns over the right side of the face, extreme redness of the right eye during an exacerbation, with headaches coming on multiple times per day and only lasting an average of 15-180 minutes at a time?

Do any of the above symptoms describe your condition?

If this answer satisfactorily addresses your question then, I'd appreciate the favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback on your part.

Also, CLOSING THE QUERY on your end (if there are no further comments) will be most helpful and appreciated so that this question can be transacted and archived expeditiously for further reference by colleagues as necessary.

Please keep me informed as to the outcome of your situation by writing me at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi

All the best

The query has required a total of 24 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dariush Saghafi

Neurologist

Practicing since :1988

Answered : 2473 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Pain And Electric Shock Sensation In Inner Upper Gums?

Brief Answer: Chronic post traumatic or postconcussive headache/facial pain Detailed Answer: Good morning. My name is Dr. Saghafi. I am a neurologist and Headache and Facial Pain specialist. Your case is one we commonly see in terms of people who suffered significant concussive blows to the head and facial structures. Your description of what happened to you is quite clear. Major blow of force to the head by a heavy object (snowplow) which knocked you unconscious followed by chronic pain and headaches over the area that got struck. I'm not clear on all of the characteristics of pain or headache that you have. Is there a true HEADACHE or is this more a facial/jaw/gum type of pain that initiates which then, radiates up or causes a right sided headache to ensue? Do you have this head and facial pain 24/7 or are there definite periods of time where there is relief? Can you go hours or days at a time WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF PAIN OR DISCOMFORT? Or is there is sensitivity in the gums where you were struck and where you had your wisdom teeth pulled which just doesn't quit? Can other things trigger these headaches such as light, sound, smells, or certain tastes such as sour things, chewing movements, yawning, speaking? I believe what has definitely happened is you've suffered damage to a structure in the face known as the TRIGEMINAL NERVE which is believed the generator of migraine and other types of headaches. In your case since this occurred on the basis of a traumatic blow to the head then, the resulting headaches and facial pain accompanying it could be referred to as a secondary consequence of the trauma and hence a chronic posttraumatic or postconcussive (concussion occurred at the time) form of headache. The fact, that there is ongoing facial pain on the right pain as well suggests a form of trigeminal neuritis which then, triggers the headache and that sets up an ongoing vicious circle of triggering pain causing headache which if it subsides can come again in a wave of sorts after some stimulation to the right side of the gums/teeth or face and this keeps repeating itself. Another term for this type of problem would would chronic Complex Regional Pain Syndrome. It used to go by the name of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) but that's an older more antiquated term. This is a form of chronic pain which involves some element of the autonomic nervous system and almost always is caused by a traumatic incident (i.e blow to the head, fracture of a bone, jaw, severe laceration of deep structures such as muscle, tendons, and ligaments, etc. etc.). Treatments are available but they are not always satisfactory and pain can be very severe and debilitating at times. I imagine you've been seen by neurologists in the past for this and tried on a number of agents. Perhaps, you can just list some examples of what you've been given for these headaches and facial pains. Otherwise, there is no known cure to the problem. We hope that at some point the affected area will just "burn itself out" but in your case, you're young and I don't think this thing has run its full course yet. Still, there may be some things that have not been tried. Are your headaches at all like migraine types of headaches with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound, which can improve with rest? Or is the pain more likely that the most severe headache type of pain in the world which is accompanied by nasal stuffiness ONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE of the face, tearing of the right eye, changes in sweating patterns over the right side of the face, extreme redness of the right eye during an exacerbation, with headaches coming on multiple times per day and only lasting an average of 15-180 minutes at a time? Do any of the above symptoms describe your condition? If this answer satisfactorily addresses your question then, I'd appreciate the favor of a HIGH STAR RATING with some written feedback on your part. Also, CLOSING THE QUERY on your end (if there are no further comments) will be most helpful and appreciated so that this question can be transacted and archived expeditiously for further reference by colleagues as necessary. Please keep me informed as to the outcome of your situation by writing me at: bit.ly/drdariushsaghafi All the best The query has required a total of 24 minutes of physician specific time to read, research, and compile a return envoy to the patient.