TMJ Ear Pain

Jaw joint pain is the most defining symptom of TMJ disorders. However, there are other symptoms to be aware of, such as headaches, clicking or popping in the joint, and, of course, ear pain.

What Causes TMJ Disorders?

There are many different causes of TMJ disorders. Injury, poor posture, and eating certain foods can put you at a higher risk of developing a TMJ disorder.

Stress is one of the most common causes. Our bodies respond to stress in a variety of ways. One way is by causing us to subconsciously grind our teeth and clench our jaws. Over time, this puts excess pressure on the joint. This leads to inflammation, which leads to pain. 

Arthritis is another common cause of TMJ disorders. Since the jaw joint is like the other joints in the body, it can be affected by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis.

How Do TMJ Disorders Cause Ear Pain?

The reason earaches are a common symptom of TMJ disorders has to do with the anatomy of the jaw joint. 

The jaw joint is located very close to the ear canal. The nerves that surround the TMJ are many of the same sensory nerves that supply the ear as well. Because of this, the pain and inflammation in the TMJ can spread to the ear.

How Do You Know If Your Ear Pain is Related to Your Jaw Joint?

Since TMJ ear pain is often misdiagnosed, it’s important to understand how you can determine the cause of your pain. TMJ ear pain can be mistaken for ear infections, allergies, and nerve disorders. 

If your ear pain is caused by issues in the jaw joint, you will most likely have other symptoms related to a TMJ disorder. These symptoms include jaw joint pain, clicking or popping in the joint, headaches, and stiffness in the jaw. 

Take note of when you feel the most pain in your ear. In some ear conditions, like nerve disorders, you will feel pain with any kind of facial movement. However, with TMJ ear pain, you will only feel pain with jaw movements. 

Ear infections and allergies often come with a fever, which is usually absent in a TMJ disorder. 

Ultimately, a physical examination is the best way to determine whether your ear pain is the result of an ear infection or a TMJ disorder. If you’ve been trying to treat an ear infection but haven’t found relief, you should talk to your doctor or someone who specializes in TMJ disorders. They will be able to give you a thorough diagnosis and help you figure out what you need to do to find relief.

How Do You Treat TMJ Ear Pain?

In order to find relief from your TMJ ear pain, we need to treat the issues in your jaw joint. The specific treatment you need will depend on the severity of your TMJ disorder. 

Most mild TMJ disorders can be treated conservatively. Conservative treatments include:

• Resting the joint
• Taking OTC pain medication (such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen)
• Heat/Ice therapy

Your doctor may also recommend a mouth guard for your TMJ disorder. These mouth guards are usually worn at night and help absorb the pressure caused by grinding and clenching. 

If conservative treatments don’t work, TMJ surgery is also an option.