Pain in any part of the body can be pretty distracting and keep you from performing your best. Imagine having ear pain out of nowhere, and now you cannot figure out what might be causing it. Did you know a common reason behind ear pain is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMJ disorder? TMJ is the joint where your skull and jaw bone meet, and it helps with the movement of your mouth.
Keep reading to learn how ear pain is connected to TMJ and what you can do about it. This way, you can improve the symptoms and prevent any potential complications.
Can TMJ Cause Ear Pain?
Like the remaining parts of our face, our ears are controlled by our muscles as well. Since the temporal bone joins the lower jaw, it is quite close to the ear. Hence, due to the close proximity, when an issue occurs in the TMJ, it affects the ear and vice versa. Your auditory canal is where the TMJ is located, which indirectly interlinks it with the ear.
When inflammation or pain occurs in the TMJ, it can result in ear pain as well. Moreover, any injury or impact on the jaw tends to affect the ear as well. In short, TMJ lies close to the ear, and discomfort in the jaw affects the latter. It is pretty common to experience ear pain or ear fullness due to TMJ disorder. Moreover, you may also experience ringing in the ear or tinnitus as a consequence of temporomandibular joint disorder. So, to answer, TMJ can cause ear pain due to its location.
Signs You Have TMJ Ear Pain
If you are confused about whether your ear pain has anything to do with TMJ, there are a few symptoms that occur. Here are the signs that your discomfort is actually TMJ ear pain and you need TMJ treatment:
- Ringing in the ear or tinnitus
- Shooting ear pain
- Ear popping
- Ear pain when chewing or speaking
- Persistent mild earache
Other TMJ Symptoms
Here are some other symptoms associated with TMJ that take place. Hence, you will experience the following if TMJ is the cause of your discomfort:
- Frequent Headaches: If you are waking up with a headache, it might be an indication of problems in your TMJ.
- Jaw Popping: You should feel no restraint or pain when making jaw movements. But with TMJ, it is possible your jaw might pop or click when in motion.
- Cracked & Misaligned Teeth: Your bite might be out of alignment due to TMJ disorder, which puts unnecessary pressure and leads to cracked teeth.
- Bruxism: You may grind your teeth if you have TMJ issues, which usually occur at night.
- Pain in Shoulder, Neck, & Jaw: With TMJ, pain doesn’t only occur in the ear or the jaw. In fact, the pain will radiate to your neck, shoulder, and even the head.
What’s Next?
If you have TMJ ear pain, chances are you will also experience ringing in the ear, mild earache, and other symptoms. In case you suspect TMJ disorder, contact a credible doctor for treatment before it becomes worse. At Village Park Family Dental, we have the best team of specialists and dentists who will treat your issues with proper procedures. Dial (281) 376-4444 to get in touch with us or visit our experts at 12617 Louetta Rd Suite #204 Cypress, TX 77429.