Capsaicin and orofacial pain: a review of the literature

Capsaicin, the active compound in chilli peppers, is gaining recognition for its role in managing orofacial pain by desensitizing nociceptors and modulating pain pathways. This literature review examines its efficacy across a range of orofacial pain conditions, including both well-researched and lesser-studied disorders. Topical and systemic applications of capsaicin have shown promising outcomes, including long-term relief in burning mouth syndrome, reduced attack frequency and severity in trigeminal neuralgia and improved function alongside chronic pain relief in temporomandibular disorders. Future research should prioritize optimizing application methods, refining dosages and investigating long-term effects to better understand capsaicin's full clinical potential. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Capsaicin may be used as a therapeutic agent in managing orofacial pain conditions.