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This term is used to describe facial pain for which no cause can be found and which does not respond to the usual painkillers. The pain can be intermittent or continuous, of varying intensity and can last for years. It may affect a small area of the face, but it can also spread across the whole of the face and mouth. The pain is described as nagging, throbbing and aching.

It is often associated with pains in other parts of the body, such as irritable bowel syndrome and itchy skin. As a consequence of the pain, many people with this condition are affected by anxiety and depression. The condition has been linked to stress and life changes such as moving house, changing jobs or divorce.

There are no tests to aid in the diagnosis of this condition, so doctors are very reliant on an accurate description of the symptoms.