Why Does My Jaw Hurt by My Ear? | TMJ

Are you experiencing simultaneous pain in your jaw and ear, on one side or both sides? There could be a multitude of reasons behind the pain. The Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) is usually the source of pain when it comes to the jaw and ear. That said, it’s important to remember that the jaw and ear are in extremely close proximity which may be why pain in the ear may be confused with pain in the jaw and vice versa. Specifically pain under the ear, behind the jaw bone can be said to be radiating from the temporomandibular joint.

If you are wondering “Why does my jaw hurt by my ear?” you are definitely on the right page. In this article, we will unearth some of the most common causes behind jaw and ear pain including the pain under the ear, behind the jaw bone, and how to remedy them.

Possible Reasons Why Your Jaw Hurts by Your Ear

Osteoarthritis

The most common kind of arthritis in the TMJ is osteoarthritis. Although common, it should still be taken seriously. Osteoarthritis is the result of constant wear and tear of the cartilage enveloping the joint. This triggers stiffness in the joint, eventually resulting in critical pain behind the ear and jaw. So, if you’re thinking “I have an earache and my jaw hurts” then osteoarthritis may be the probable cause.

Rheumatoid or Psoriatic Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that affects healthy joints. It may lead to joint pain at times that may radiate throughout the rest of the body. Some triggers especially cause rheumatoid arthritis pain. Pain in the jaw, under the ear and in the ear could also be a sign of either rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis, another autoimmune condition.

TMJ Disorder

Another leading cause of pain under the ear, behind the jaw bone can be a disorder related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The TMJ is indirectly responsible for many functions such as chewing ad talking as it facilitates movement in the jaw. As such, it includes the jaw joint as well as the nearby muscles that aid in the movement. In cases where patients suffer from symptoms such as, inflammation, discomfort, or pain in the TMJ – that cannot be attributed to any other obvious cause – for more than three months it may be chronic TMJ or other medical conditions like fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, anxiety, or depression. TMJ could be due to wear and tear or another reason.

Ear Infections

Often, ear infections are caused by viruses or bacteria. They can also be caused when water or other fluids build up in and around your ear, leaving you susceptible to earache or jaw, specifically pain under the ear, behind the jaw bone. Also, if you experience a mild to high fever coupled with reduced stamina, that’s a red flag.

In a condition called mastoiditis, undiagnosed ear infections may spread to other parts of the body as well. As the infection spreads, the person might encounter massive swelling and pain near the ear and jaw on one side.

In fact, severe cases of this condition can demand immediate diagnosis as they could be life-threatening.

Sinusitis

Pain under the ear or behind the jaw bone could be the result of sinusitis. But this only happens when you have a precondition of cold allergies. Since it is a virus borne infection, your nasal passage becomes irritated. This could also be accompanied by a runny nose.

Teeth Grinding

How do you know if your teeth are actually grinding? What are the symptoms? If you are experiencing erosion in your teeth or severe strain in your gums or muscles, this could be it.

The tension caused can create pain in the neck, on the front and sides of the face, or in the ears. In some cases, it can cause massive damage to the teeth, ultimately breaking them.

How to Treat Jaw Pain Caused by TMJ

You can try to nurse it from home, which is the least invasive way. Eat soft foods, stretch and massage your jaw, and apply heat and cold alternately to it.

If your symptoms persist, your doctor may recommend any of the following treatments.

Medicines

Some over-the-counter medicines (pain relievers and anti-inflammatories) commonly prescribed for TMJ are Tylenol and ibuprofen.

Therapies

Therapies can include mouthguards to wear while sleeping, as well as physical therapy to get the jaw muscles strong and flexible.

Surgical procedures

Arthrocentesis, corticosteroid injections, TMJ arthroscopy and modified condylotomy are procedures only done in the rarest of cases.

Improve your Quality of Life

Don’t let these issues get in the way of your quality of life. Say Hello to Raleigh TMJ, a leading sleep therapy and TMJ center. It is best known for offering non-surgical therapies and enhancing the quality of your life, painlessly.

Request an appointment right away and bid goodbye to all your TMJ troubles. Additionally, you can check out our other services, which include a cure for headaches, facial pain, snoring, sleep apnea, and more. Why wait? Request an appointment!

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8 Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

You may experience jaw and ear pain at the same time. These 8 reasons can help you understand why the cause may be related to only your jaw or ears, but the pain spills over from the other area.

If you notice both ear and jaw pain simultaneously, it may be because of several reasons.

A medical condition in your jaw, ear, or mouth can cause the pain. Another possibility is that you’re experiencing “referred pain,” which happens when a part of your body feels pain even though the source of the pain is located somewhere else.

Below are some conditions that can cause pain in both your jaw and ears at the same time, in large part because of their close proximity.

1. TMJ disorders

One source of ear and jaw pain may be related to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This area includes not only the jaw joint but also the muscles surrounding it.

The TMJ is adjacent to the temporal bone, which includes your inner ear. The TMJ does a lot of work, moving in many directions so you can chew and talk.

Ear and jaw pain may occur from a TMJ disorder. Around 10 to 15 percent of adults may experience a TMJ disorder. These disorders cause inflammation and pain in your TMJ. Facial pain and ear discomfort are the most common complaints of this condition. You may have a chronic TMJ disorder if you experience symptoms for longer than three months.

You may develop a TMJ disorder from wear and tear or because of another medical condition. In some cases, your doctor may suspect a TMJ disorder, but you actually have something else like:

• fibromyalgia
• sleep apnea
• anxiety
• depression

2. Osteoarthritis

Ear and jaw pain could be caused by osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis in the TMJ. This condition develops from wear and tear over time to the cartilage surrounding the joint. You may feel stiffness in the joint as well as pain.

3. Rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis

These forms of arthritis occur because your immune system attacks healthy joints. Both rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis are identified as autoimmune conditions.

You may experience joint pain throughout your body at different times, including in your TMJ, and certain triggers may cause the pain to flare up.

4. Migraine

Pain felt in your jaw and ears near the TMJ area may trigger migraine. Migraine attacks are severe headaches that can re-occur. They can cause sensitivity to light, sound, and smell.

5. Swimmer’s ear

This condition occurs when bacteria forms in the outer ear from water exposure or injury. You may get this condition from swimming or if an outside object tears your ear’s lining. The symptoms will get worse if the condition is untreated and can lead to ear and jaw pain.

6. Sinusitis

You may experience ear and jaw pain from sinusitis. This condition can occur if you have a cold or allergies and your nasal passages become irritated and inflamed. The infection is generally caused by a virus, but you can also get bacterial sinusitis.

7. Dental issues

You may experience cavities, periodontal disease, and dental abscesses if bacteria builds up on your teeth and gums. These conditions can cause damage to your mouth and beyond, especially if left untreated. They can lead to jaw and ear pain.

8. Teeth grinding

If you grind your teeth, you may end up with a TMJ disorder and feel pain in your ears and jaw. This condition can:

• impact the way your teeth align
• erode your teeth
• break down your TMJ
• strain your muscles

You may grind your teeth at night and not even realize it until pain or another symptom develops.

Ear and jaw pain are not the only symptoms of these conditions. You may also experience the following:

• TMJ disorder
  • facial pain
  • pain from chewing
  • jaw clicking or locking
  • ear ringing
  • hearing loss
  • neck and shoulder pain
  • teeth shifting and misalignment
  • headaches
• Arthritis
  • swelling in the jaw
• Migraines
  • throbbing pain on one or both sides of your head
  • nausea
  • changes to your vision or other senses
• Swimmer’s ear
  • drainage
  • pain along the face and neck
  • hearing reduction
  • itching
  • fever
• Sinusitis
  • clogged nasal passages
  • green or yellow discharge
  • sensitivity of the face
  • cough
  • headache
  • restricted ability to smell and taste
• Cavities, periodontal disease, or dental abscesses
  • pain throughout the lower face and neck
  • pain that gets worse when you lie down
  • swelling in the gums and on the face
  • loose or sensitive teeth
  • sensitivity to cold and hot foods and beverages
  • fever and flu-like symptoms
• Teeth grinding
  • tooth sensitivity
  • worn teeth
  • facial and neck pain
  • headache
  • sleep disruption

Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to begin the diagnosis of your jaw and ear pain. Your doctor may also ask about your health history to find out more about your symptoms. Be sure to mention:

• recent dental surgeries
• illnesses
• injuries
• changes to your mental health like stress, anxiety, or depression

Your doctor may:

• listen to your jaw
• feel your jaw and around your face
• look in your ears
• check your vital signs
• examine your mouth

You may need an MRI, X-ray, or other imaging test to diagnose the condition.

The cause of jaw and ear pain can vary and so can treatments.

You may not seek treatment for TMJ, as 40 percent of cases resolve on their own and only 5 to 10 percent of cases require treatment. Treatments for a TMJ disorder can include:

• resting your jaw
• home remedies
• using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
• wearing a brace or splint to restrict jaw movement
• flushing your joint to reduce inflammation
• surgery, in severe cases

Other causes of ear and joint pain may include similar treatments. Some conditions like arthritis, swimmer’s ear, and sinusitis may include specific medications.

Your doctor may recommend certain anti-inflammatories for arthritis, steroids for swimmer’s ear, and nasal sprays for sinusitis, among other treatment options.

Oral conditions like cavities, periodontal disease, and dental abscesses may require tooth removal, a root canal, or deep cleaning in addition to other treatment methods.

There are several methods you can try at home to help TMJ disorders:

• Change your diet to incorporate more soft foods.
• Stop chewing gum or other objects, such as the ends of pens or pencils.
• Relax and rest your jaw.
• Use a warm or cold compress to the jaw.
• Perform exercises that stretch the jaw, including slowly opening and closing your mouth several times.
• Avoid stress.

Some of these treatments may also work with other conditions causing ear and jaw pain.

Take good care of your teeth to treat and avoid conditions that affect your mouth. Make sure to brush and floss regularly, eat a healthy diet, and quit smoking to avoid the buildup of bacteria in your mouth.

You should see a doctor if your ear and jaw pain:

• is accompanied by a fever or other flu-like symptoms
• gets in the way of your everyday activities
• interferes with your sleep
• persists despite treatments
• inhibits your ability to eat and drink
• causes pain or sensitivity in your teeth or gums

There are many reasons why you may experience jaw and ear pain at the same time. Often, the condition affecting both of them is related to only your jaw or ears but you feel referred pain in the other area.

Talk to your doctor to determine the cause of the jaw and ear pain. This will help you treat the pain and avoid it from getting worse.

Jaw hurts near the ear – why does the joint hurt when chewing and opening the mouth

Does your jaw hurt when you chew, yawn, or open your mouth?
Ask yourself: “Why does my jaw hurt, what is the possible reason”? Can
there are different situations in which you experience discomfort in the jaw area.
There are a number of factors that contribute to jaw pain. It is often caused
muscle tension, spasm, or weakness. As a rule, they do not appear on their own.
themselves, but provoked and caused by some kind of trauma or systemic
diseases that affect the joints.
First of all, the doctor is interested in whether there were any injuries to the jaw and whether he is sick
a person with some systemic disease. If by this time the patient has not
the above conditions were observed, then the causes of pain in the jaw when opening the mouth
could be a huge number.

So what causes pain:
muscle stiffness, spasm or weakness of the jaw?

The jawbone joins the skull to form a hinge joint. It can be “pulled” out of position, resulting in uneven jaw opening (one side of the jaw opens further/faster than the other side). When this happens, irritation of the joint surfaces is caused, causing pain just below the inside of the ear, where the bones of the jaw join together to form the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

Another case in which it is painful for a person to open his mouth, speak or chew is bad posture, such as slouching. You may be wondering how poor posture can contribute to jaw pain. Let’s explain.

So, when you sit hunched over, with your upper and lower back rounded and your shoulder blades pushed forward from each other, your head “bulges” forward. The stoop, rounded shoulders, and tilt of the head put uneven and abnormal pressure on the jaw as the muscles that attach to it work unevenly, causing irritation to the jaw joints.

In turn, this irritation causes inflammation around the jaw, which then leads to muscle spasms and cramps, and then it becomes painful for a person to open his mouth. Often headaches that are localized in the back of the head are also accompanied by pain in the jaw. It is possible that only one side of the jaw can hurt.

Why does the jaw hurt: what
do?

Your jaw should be examined by a specialist to ensure that the left and right sides open equally and that the joints function correctly. You must be instructed in proper exercises and stretches to reverse the effects of bad posture.

The doctor teaches the patient a specific set of exercises to help align the jaw to a neutral position. In the case of diagnosing malocclusion, it may be necessary to wear a mouthguard.

How about dysfunction
TMJ?

As mentioned above, the TMJ is the joint that connects the upper and lower jaws. You can feel the TMJ joint right next to your ear as you open and close your jaw. If there is pain in this joint, this would explain problems with yawning, chewing, or speaking. There are three main symptoms that indicate TMJ dysfunction: limited jaw movement, joint noise (or popping sensation), and facial pain.

The doctor can explain that chewing uses the muscles and joints between the lower jaw and the front of the base of the skull, called the temporal bone (left and right TMJ). What they may not explain is that TMJ dysfunction is not usually a serious condition. However, pain affects the quality of life. No one wants to feel uncomfortable or stressed while eating, drinking or talking.

For this reason, choose only specialists who are able not only to prescribe treatment, but also to explain the essence of the pathology.

What causes TMJ dysfunction
and jaw pain?

There are various factors that can cause left and right TMJ dysfunction, making it painful for a person to open their mouth. While certain conditions (gout, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis) may be associated with TMJ, the most common causes are less dramatic.

One of the most common causes of jaw pain is muscle tension. Overuse of the jaw (one side may be affected) while clenching or grinding the teeth (whether due to stress or during sleep) puts pressure on the joint. This leads to wear and tear on the joint, called osteoarthritis.

Many of us unintentionally grind our teeth when we are stressed. Not only can this cause osteoarthritis, but it can also lead to severe toothache when the teeth are worn away. Joint pain can also be the result of a dental infection. We all have different levels of pain threshold. So it’s better to check yourself.

The patient may have suffered a joint injury, did not recover properly from a traumatic injury to the face. In such conditions, it is also painful for a person to open his mouth. The TMJ joint may have changed after surgery, allowing for too much range of motion (hypermobility) or limiting it (hypomobility).

A person may develop a malocclusion if it was initially uneven. In this case, two joints can hurt at once. This is usually associated with a dental procedure during the installation of new fillings and dental crowns. If the patient has recently started using new dentures, this can also affect the occurrence of malocclusion. The patient’s lifestyle must be taken into account. For example, he sits at the table for a long time without a break. Is he sitting correctly at this time? If the patient slouches, he needs to pay attention to his posture so that tense muscles do not cause pain in the jaw. Physical therapy remains one of the best ways to help restore posture.

How to find out what it is
definitely TMJ dysfunction?

If you suspect a TMJ problem, see your dentist or gnathologist. They will be able to get rid of dependence on painkillers for pain that occurs when opening the mouth.

First, if you experience pain when you open your mouth wide, chew, talk or yawn, then you definitely have problems with the jaw and the muscles surrounding it. Especially if this pain is near the ear, on the face, neck, or in the ear, occurs when the jaw is opened, or there is limited movement and a feeling that your jaw is “stuck”. The patient feels that the jaw is locked to the left or right, hears unpleasant clicks, pops or grinding when chewing.

Side effects of jaw pain may include headaches, tinnitus (white noise in the ear), ear pain (on one or both sides), pain in the neck or shoulder, or a feeling of fullness in the ear. Pain in the teeth and gums is due to excessive jaw grinding, which leads to problems sleeping and maintaining weight.

It is possible to find out exactly whether a person has a TMJ pathology only after undergoing a complete diagnosis by a gnathologist. It does not take much time and does not require a lot of money. Timely detection of TMJ pathology guarantees fast and non-invasive treatment with a successful outcome.

Jaw hurts in the ear area, which doctor should I visit? / Dental center “Michurinsky”

Pain near the right/left ear canal can be constricting or throbbing, burning or aching, sudden or increasing, at rest or when pressed. Sometimes, along with pain, the temperature rises, soft tissues swell. By the nature of the pain, you can first determine its root cause. That is why doctors, only after an in-depth interview, prescribe diagnostic procedures for the patient – X-ray, MRI, complete blood count.

Problems that cause pain in the cheekbones and jaw can be treated by dentists, surgeons, otolaryngologists and other specialized doctors. We read further about the possible causes of unpleasant sensations localized anterior to the ear.

TMJ dysfunction. Failure of the temporal joint and dysfunction of the masticatory muscles is the most common cause of pain in the jaw near the ear. Pain in this case does not occur spontaneously, but with loads or pressure. Soreness is felt when chewing, yawning and talking. It is already possible to diagnose the disorder by its characteristic features – clicking and crunching in the joint when moving the jaw (in conversation or while chewing food), tinnitus, dizziness. Articular pathology is characterized by a unilateral lesion. The disease develops in the place of localization of pain. That is, if it hurts near the left ear, cheekbones and neck, this means that the destructive process is on the left.

Facial injuries (contusion, dislocation, fracture)

Acute pain attack, swelling and hematoma are the key signs of soft tissue injury even without affecting bone structures. With a sharp opening of the mouth or as a result of a blow to the face, a dislocation of the TMJ may occur, making it difficult for the simplest swallowing and chewing movements. The fracture manifests itself as unbearable pain around the injury, which spreads to the entire facial area.

Bruxism. One of the most common causes of pain in the jaw is grinding teeth at night. Usually discomfort is felt in the morning due to constant clenching of the jaws. With bruxism, the cutting surface of the teeth is abraded, pain in the jaw and ear canal is accompanied by chronic headache, discomfort in the face area, as well as anxiety, depression and insomnia.

After dental treatment. The cause of aching pain in the jaw and cheekbones are often manipulations carried out in the office of an orthopedist or orthodontist. Soreness with inflammation and swelling can occur after poor-quality removal of eights, as well as after caries treatment or dentures. Jaw pain is usually experienced for some time after braces are placed. This is considered a normal response of the jawbone to pressure from the orthodontic appliance.

Infections and inflammations

Osteomyelitis – damage to bones and adjacent tissues by an infection spreading with blood. With jaw osteomyelitis, the TMJ often suffers. Symptoms include jaw pain, swelling of the face, and fever.

Abscess – disease resulting from infection of the pulp during advanced caries. Moving along the root canal, pathogens infect adjacent soft tissues, causing inflammation and jaw pain.

SARS. Persistent ear pain may be felt as a complication of viral infections. The reason for this is inflammation of the joint sac, provoked by the influx of viruses and bacteria.

The cheekbone in the area of ​​the auricle can also hurt with inflammation of the ear canal. However, this case is characterized by intense pain in the ear with a return to the jaw. Inflammation is accompanied by fever (37.5-38C) and general malaise.

Neuralgia. Acute pain syndrome develops with inflammation of the nerves – trigeminal, glossopharyngeal, upper laryngeal. Pain occurs when coughing, hiccups, eating, yawning and pressure.

With jaw pain, they turn to the following specialists:

• in case of TMJ pathologies, – gnathologist, orthodontist;
• in case of injuries, diseases and infections of the dental system – to the dentist, maxillofacial surgeon;
• in case of soft tissue diseases – to the surgeon;
• in case of inflammatory processes in the teeth or gums – to the dentist;
• if the pain is a consequence of complications of acute respiratory viral infections or occurs with inflammation of the tonsils, larynx, sinuses, ears or lymph nodes – see an otolaryngologist;
• for neuralgia – to a neurologist.