It is not a picnic to have pain in any part of your body, let alone your hearing organ. While there are many causes, did you know TMJ can cause pain in the ear? Temporomandibular Joint Disorder can occur due to a dysfunction in the jaw joint, which will affect your facial movements. But what exactly causes TMJ ear pain? And what to do about it? Keep reading to find out!
Can Tmj Cause Pain In The Ear?
Yes, TMJ can be responsible for your ear pain. The muscles on our face control the ears, and the temporal bone is pretty close to the ear, given that it joins the lower jaw to the skull. When dysfunction or any other problem occurs in the TMJ, it can cause symptoms in the ear and vice versa. Your auditory canal is within close vicinity of the TMJ, indirectly linking it with the ear. Hence, the position of the two can be why your ears hurt due to TMJ issues.
Inflammation or pain in the TMJ will hurt your jaw, but it can lead to pain in the ear as well. This means any impact on the jaw, even injuries, can radiate pain to the ears. So it is not a coincidence that issues with the jaw are soon accompanied by ear pain — the link between the two is pretty obvious. You may also experience what is known as ‘ear fullness’ due to TMJ disorder. That’s not all — you may also notice ringing in the ear, also called tinnitus, due to temporomandibular joint disorder.
In simple terms: yes, TMJ is highly likely to cause pain in the ears!
Signs of TMJ Ear Pain
But how to be sure your ear pain is related to TMJ and not another issue? You can discern if TMJ is causing your ear pain if the following symptoms occur:
Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
- Sharp pain in the ear
- Popping ear
- Ear hurts when you chew or speak
- Constant yet mild pain in the ear
How to Get Rid of TMJ Ear Pain
It is not easy to deal with an earache, especially if you have a low pain tolerance. You should visit a TMJ specialist right away for TMJ ear pain or any other TMJ issue. You can also ease the pain by trying the following:
- Opt for a soft food diet.
- Don’t chew gum.
- Incorporate lifestyle changes, such as maintaining a good posture, not opening your jaw wide, and more.
- Using oral appliances such as a mouthguard.
- Taking over-the-counter pain-relieving medications.
- Applying a warm compress to the affected area.
What Now?
TMJ can cause discomfort, and pain in the ear is on the list too! Make sure you talk to an expert for treatment and follow the right techniques to reduce pain.
Vintage Oral Surgery can help with your oral health concerns. Talk to us now at (281) 800 8852 or give us a visit at 11620 Louetta Rd. Suite B Houston, Tx 77070.