Tmj and ear infections. TMJ vs Ear Infections: Understanding the Differences and Similarities

11.05.202126.07.2023 by alexxlab

How can you distinguish between TMJ and ear infections. What are the common symptoms of TMJ and ear infections. Why are ear infections more common in children than adults. How can TMJ cause ear-related symptoms. When should you consult a TMJ specialist for persistent ear pain.

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The Overlapping Symptoms of TMJ and Ear Infections

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and ear infections share several common symptoms, making it challenging to differentiate between the two conditions. Both can cause discomfort in and around the ear area, leading to confusion in diagnosis. Understanding the similarities and differences between these conditions is crucial for proper treatment and relief.

Common symptoms shared by TMJ disorders and ear infections include:

Ear pain
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
Sensation of ear fullness
Reduced hearing ability
Headaches

Given these overlapping symptoms, it’s not surprising that many individuals may mistake TMJ-related discomfort for an ear infection, especially if they have a history of ear infections in the past.

Why Are Ear Infections More Common in Children?

Ear infections are significantly more prevalent in children compared to adults. This disparity can be attributed to several factors:

Underdeveloped immune systems: Children’s immune systems are still developing, making them more susceptible to infections.
Anatomy: The eustachian tubes in children are shorter, more horizontal, and narrower, facilitating easier spread of infections from the nose and throat to the middle ear.
Frequent upper respiratory infections: Children are more prone to colds and flu, which can lead to secondary ear infections.
Enlarged adenoids: Some children have larger adenoids that can block the eustachian tubes, increasing the risk of infection.

Adults, on the other hand, have more developed immune systems and fully grown ear structures, reducing their susceptibility to ear infections. This is why recurring ear pain in adults should prompt consideration of other potential causes, such as TMJ disorders.

The Connection Between TMJ and Ear-Related Symptoms

TMJ disorders can manifest various ear-related symptoms, often misleading patients and healthcare providers. But how does a jaw joint problem cause ear discomfort? The connection lies in the proximity and interconnectedness of the structures involved.

The temporomandibular joint is located very close to the ear canal and middle ear. When this joint is dysfunctional or inflamed, it can affect nearby structures, including:

The muscles surrounding the ear
Nerves that pass through the area
Blood vessels supplying the region

This close relationship can result in referred pain, where discomfort originating in the jaw joint is perceived as coming from the ear. Additionally, TMJ disorders can cause muscle tension and inflammation that may impact the function of the eustachian tubes, leading to sensations of ear fullness or changes in hearing.

Why does TMJ cause tinnitus?

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is a common symptom reported by individuals with TMJ disorders. This phenomenon can be attributed to several factors:

Muscle tension: TMJ-related muscle tension can affect the muscles responsible for middle ear function, potentially leading to tinnitus.
Nerve irritation: The trigeminal nerve, which is closely associated with the TMJ, can become irritated and cause perceived sounds in the ear.
Vascular changes: Alterations in blood flow due to TMJ inflammation may contribute to tinnitus.
Eustachian tube dysfunction: TMJ-related inflammation can affect the function of the eustachian tubes, potentially leading to tinnitus.

Distinguishing Between TMJ and Ear Infections

While TMJ disorders and ear infections share common symptoms, there are several key differences that can help in differentiation:

Indicators of an ear infection:

Recent history of illness (e.g., cold or flu)
Presence of fever or localized warmth around the ear
Discharge from the ear
Symptoms typically affect one ear

Signs pointing towards TMJ:

No recent illness or fever
Symptoms persist or recur without responding to antibiotics
Presence of other TMJ symptoms (e.g., jaw clicking, tooth wear)
Symptoms flare up after intense jaw activity (chewing, talking)
Pain or discomfort may affect both ears

If you’re experiencing persistent ear pain or related symptoms that don’t respond to typical ear infection treatments, it’s crucial to consider TMJ as a potential cause and seek appropriate evaluation.

The Impact of TMJ on Overall Oral Health

TMJ disorders not only affect the jaw joint and surrounding areas but can also have significant implications for overall oral health. Understanding these effects is crucial for comprehensive treatment and prevention of further complications.

How does TMJ affect tooth wear?

TMJ disorders often lead to increased tooth wear through several mechanisms:

Bruxism: Many individuals with TMJ grind or clench their teeth, especially during sleep, leading to excessive wear on tooth surfaces.
Misalignment: TMJ can cause changes in bite alignment, resulting in uneven wear patterns on teeth.
Muscle tension: Increased muscle tension associated with TMJ can lead to more forceful biting and chewing, accelerating tooth wear.

This excessive tooth wear can lead to increased sensitivity, changes in bite, and even tooth fractures if left untreated.

Can TMJ cause changes in facial appearance?

TMJ disorders can indeed affect facial appearance over time. Some potential changes include:

Asymmetry in the lower face due to muscle imbalances
Changes in jaw position, potentially leading to an under- or overbite appearance
Increased visibility of jaw muscles (masseter hypertrophy) due to chronic clenching
Premature aging of the lower face due to changes in jaw position and muscle tension

These changes can be subtle at first but may become more noticeable as the condition progresses, highlighting the importance of early intervention and treatment.

Treatment Options for TMJ-Related Ear Symptoms

When TMJ is identified as the underlying cause of ear-related symptoms, several treatment approaches can be considered. The goal is to address the root cause of TMJ dysfunction while providing relief from associated symptoms.

Conservative treatments:

Jaw exercises and stretches to improve mobility and reduce muscle tension
Application of heat or cold therapy to alleviate pain and inflammation
Stress management techniques to reduce jaw clenching and grinding
Dietary modifications to avoid hard or chewy foods that stress the jaw
Use of over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications

Professional interventions:

Custom-fitted oral appliances or night guards to prevent teeth grinding and improve jaw alignment
Physical therapy or massage therapy to address muscle imbalances and tension
Orthodontic treatments to correct bite issues contributing to TMJ problems
Botox injections to relax overactive jaw muscles (in severe cases)
Surgical interventions for structural abnormalities or severe, treatment-resistant cases

The choice of treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, underlying causes, and individual patient factors. A comprehensive evaluation by a TMJ specialist is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan.

When to Seek Professional Help for TMJ-Related Ear Symptoms

Recognizing when to consult a healthcare professional about TMJ-related ear symptoms is crucial for timely intervention and effective management. Consider seeking help if:

Ear pain or related symptoms persist for more than a few weeks
Symptoms don’t respond to conservative home treatments
Pain interferes with daily activities or sleep
You notice changes in your bite or jaw alignment
There’s visible swelling around the jaw joint
You experience difficulty opening or closing your mouth fully

A TMJ specialist, such as a specially trained dentist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, can provide a comprehensive evaluation and develop a tailored treatment plan. They may use various diagnostic tools, including:

Physical examination of the jaw and surrounding muscles
Dental X-rays or CT scans to assess jaw structure and alignment
TMJ arthroscopy for direct visualization of the joint (in complex cases)
Electromyography to evaluate muscle function

Early intervention can prevent the progression of TMJ disorders and associated complications, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life.

Preventing TMJ-Related Ear Symptoms: Lifestyle and Habits

While not all cases of TMJ disorders can be prevented, certain lifestyle modifications and habits can help reduce the risk of developing TMJ-related ear symptoms or manage existing conditions:

Stress management techniques:

Practice relaxation exercises or meditation to reduce overall tension
Engage in regular physical activity to alleviate stress
Seek professional help if stress is significantly impacting your life

Proper posture:

Maintain good posture throughout the day, especially when working at a desk
Use ergonomic equipment to support proper alignment
Take regular breaks to stretch and move around

Dietary considerations:

Avoid excessively hard or chewy foods that strain the jaw
Cut food into smaller pieces to reduce the need for wide jaw movements
Limit caffeine intake, as it can contribute to muscle tension

Oral habits:

Be aware of and avoid habits like nail-biting or pen-chewing
Practice proper chewing techniques, using both sides of the mouth equally
Avoid excessive gum chewing

By incorporating these preventive measures into daily life, individuals can potentially reduce the risk of developing TMJ disorders or minimize the impact of existing conditions on their ear health and overall well-being.

Understanding the complex relationship between TMJ disorders and ear symptoms is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. By recognizing the similarities and differences between TMJ-related ear pain and true ear infections, individuals can seek appropriate care and find relief from their symptoms. Whether through conservative management, professional interventions, or lifestyle modifications, addressing TMJ issues can significantly improve both oral health and quality of life.

Is Your Ear Pain an Infection or TMJ?

TMJ is sometimes called “the great imposter” because it shares so many symptoms with other conditions. That’s partly because TMJ symptoms are so numerous, diverse, and widespread that it’s hard to see them as connected with each other or with your jaw joint.

One common confusion is that people with TMJ may think they just have an ear infection. Ear symptoms are common in TMJ– nearly 80% of people with TMJ report ear symptoms. But if you have symptoms of ear infection that recur, persist, or don’t respond to usual treatment, you should consider that you might have TMJ.

Ear Infections Are Uncommon with Adults

Ear infections are common in children. Most likely, a child has some form of illness, like a cold or flu, which then spreads to the middle ear. Viruses or bacteria reproduce in the middle ear, and they, along with your body’s immune response, create swelling and excess fluid that can lead to clogging of the narrow passage.

Ear infections are more common among children with poorly developed immune systems and narrow ear passages. Adults are unlikely to experience ear infections, even if they got ear infections commonly as a child.

Overlapping Symptoms

When the middle ear gets clogged, people may experience many symptoms that can be common with TMJ. People with both conditions may experience a variety of ear-related symptoms, such as:

Ear pain
Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
Sensations of ear fullness
Diminished hearing
Headaches

With all these symptoms in common, it’s not surprising that people might confuse the two conditions. Especially if you have a history of ear infections, you might jump to the conclusion that you have another ear infection.

But it’s important to look for symptoms that can distinguish between these two conditions.

Distinguishing Conditions

If you have an ear infection, you’ll know it because:

You are recovering from a recent illness
You have a fever or localized warmth in the ear
There’s discharge coming from your ear

If you haven’t been sick recently–or aren’t sick now–then you probably don’t have an ear infection. Fever is a dead giveaway of some kind of infection. TMJ won’t cause discharge from your ears, so that’s a definite sign of an infection. Remember: discharge may come from your outer ear or through your eustachian tubes.

But TMJ is more likely if:

Your doctor says you don’t have an ear infection
The symptoms don’t resolve on their own
The symptoms don’t respond to antibiotics
You have other TMJ symptoms like jaw sounds or tooth wear
Your symptoms seem to flare up after intense jaw activity

If you think you have an infection, you may not go to a doctor because viral infections tend to clear up on their own. But if symptoms persist and your doctor either clears you or gives you medication that doesn’t help,it’s time to consider that TMJ may be the cause of your ear symptoms.

This is when you should consider what other TMJ symptoms you may have. Jaw sounds, jaw pain, and tooth wear are all clear indicators that TMJ could be causing your problem. Another giveaway is that your symptoms come on when you work your jaw hard. This may be chewing a tough meal, talking a lot, talking loudly, or clenching your teeth due to stress.

If this sounds like your ear symptoms, then it’s time to talk to a TMJ dentist like Dr. Chris Hill in St. Louis. Please call (314) 678-7876 (Downtown St. Louis) or (314) 678-7876 (Clayton) today to schedule an appointment at City Smiles.

How TMJ And Ear Pain Are Related And Treated

What is The TMJ?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the bone that forms the side of the skull (temporal bone) and the lower jawbone (mandible), which is near your ear. This joint enables you to move your jaw forward, backward, and side-to-side. The main signs of TMJ disorder are a painful jaw and limited movement in the area.

TMJ Disorders

Although the causes of TMJ disorders are often unclear, discomfort in this joint can be caused by an injury to the jaw, arthritis, teeth grinding, excessive gum chewing, or a misaligned bite. There are three main types of TMJ disorders:

Myofascial pain: This is the most common type of TMJ disorder. It is marked by deep, aching pain in the muscles of the joint.
Internal derangement of the joint: This is associated with a dislocated joint or trauma to the jaw.
Degenerative disease: Arthritis is a type of degenerative joint disorder that can affect the TMJ.

TMJ Pain Characteristics

TMJ pain may be a dull, ongoing irritation or a sharp, searing pain. This discomfort may be more apparent when you move your jaw to talk, chew, swallow, or yawn. In addition to experiencing ear and jaw pain, you might also feel soreness along the side of your head, neck, temple, cheek, face, lower jaw, and teeth. Other common symptoms of TMJ also include:

A clicking/popping sound when opening the mouth
Locking of the joint
Difficulty opening the mouth
Ringing sound in the ear

Remember to consult with your doctor if your aching ear is companied by any of these symptoms.

Why TMJ Ear Pain Occurs

An aching ear is a common symptom for people with a TMJ disorder. Because the TMJ is near the auditory canal, pain and inflammation in this joint can affect the ear. A ringing sound in the ear, also known as tinnitus, is often a part of TMJ ear pain. An ENT specialist can examine your hearing and eardrum to determine if your earache is related to the TMJ.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Treatment for disorders of the TMJ depends on the cause and severity. If you are experiencing mild pain, your doctor may recommend some of these self-care remedies to reduce soreness and tension in the joint:

Eat soft-foods
Try relaxation techniques
Do TMJ stretches and exercises
Avoid chewing gum
Avoid clenching or tensing your jaw
Apply moist heat to the area

Anti-inflammatory medication and muscle relaxants can also help to relieve tenderness. A mouthguard may be a treatment option if your TMJ pain is caused by teeth grinding; this will prevent damage to the joint. Orthodontic appliances are a great way to correct the upper and lower teeth, as misalignment can result in problems with the temporomandibular joint.

Finding the cause of your ear pain is important because it will lead to getting the correct care. If your earache is a sign of TMJ disorder, the good news is that you can reduce pain and discomfort with a few lifestyle changes. Incorporate breathing exercises to assist with relaxation, which can ease tension on the joint. Speak with your dentist or orthodontist if your TMJ pain is related to an incorrect bite.

This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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Temporomandibular Joint and Tinnitus – Tinnitus Neuro-Tinnitus Treatment

17
Apr
2019

17 Apr 2019 News, Causes of subjective tinnitus ah, in evidence not needs. The same goes for neck problems. Tinnitus is often caused by injuries to the jaw and neck, which we successfully ignore in our youth. But then, when talking, chewing, turning and tilting the head begin to cause tinnitus, many seek medical help. And they do exactly the right thing. Modern medicine has many opportunities to save such patients from annoying and annoying tinnitus.

Contents of the article:

1 Features of the TMJ
2 How does the pathology of the TMJ manifest itself?
- 2.1 Diagnosis: where and by whom?
3 How to treat?
4 Neck problems and tinnitus

TMJ features

The temporomandibular joint is a complex articulation that allows the jaw to move not only up and down, but also sideways. In addition, it is controlled by the most powerful muscles of the human body – chewing.

Problems with it can be different:

dislocation of the fibrous disc inside the articular cavity;
injury of articular surfaces;
excessive muscular effort applied to the jaw;
arthritis, as a manifestation of systemic pathology and arthrosis, as a result of wear and tear of the joint;
infectious processes spreading to the TMJ from the ENT organs, the mastoid process.

How does TMJ pathology manifest itself?

Typical symptoms for the problems listed above are pain when opening the mouth and tinnitus. The reason for the first is clear: swelling of the capsule, friction of the articular heads. As for tinnitus, things are a bit more complicated here.

First, the masticatory muscles are located next to the muscle fibers that control the structures of the middle ear. Therefore, the excessive tone of the masticatory muscles affects hearing, contributes to the appearance of tinnitus.

Secondly, in the pathology of the TMJ, small ligaments that go from the joint to the auditory ossicles of the middle ear may be involved in the process. Comments are superfluous.

Thirdly, the nerve centers that control the work of the temporomandibular joint are closely connected with the parts of the brain responsible for hearing and interpreting sounds. If one system suffers, then the function of the second is also impaired.

In addition, when a joint is dysfunctional, it starts making sounds on its own.

And quite characteristic: clicking with each opening and closing of the mouth, creaking, even grinding. Very annoying and stressful condition.

Diagnostics: where and who?

For most patients, it is enough to see a dentist. But it is also worth preparing for instrumental additional examination: X-ray, CT, and sometimes MRI.

In modern conditions, it is even possible to do arthroscopy: to examine the state of the temporomandibular joint with the help of a microcamera inserted into its cavity.

How to treat?

In many cases, TMJ problems are helped by simple recommendations:

switch to a soft food diet;
relaxation exercises for chewing muscles;
use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
people with bruxism (teeth grinding at night) should have a special mouth guard fitted.

But sometimes, in order for the noise to finally subside, one has to resort to surgery and even prosthetics of individual structures of the joint.

Neck problems and tinnitus

The cervical spine is very vulnerable, especially in case of an accident. It is also prone to inflammation and osteochondrosis.
Regarding common diseases of the cervical region, we have a separate article on our website (opens in a new tab).

Read about the pathology of the cervical spine

Tinnitus associated with neck pathology is often accompanied by psycho-emotional disorders (depression), cognitive (poor memory, difficulty concentrating) and somatic (dizziness) disorders.

Naturally, in order to help such patients get rid of tinnitus, it is necessary to establish the source of the problem as accurately as possible, for which the entire arsenal of techniques (X-ray, CT, MRI) is used. And only after a complete examination, it is possible to draw up an algorithm for the treatment of a particular patient.

The Tinnitus Neuro clinic has everything you need for professional assistance to people with cervicogenic tinnitus: call us 8-495-374-92-03 or contact us through the website.

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Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

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Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Structure of the TMJ

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a paired joint projected in the anterior part of the auricles, located at the point where the skull meets the lower jaw.

The anatomical structural elements of the joint are: the articular head; articular cavity; intra-articular disc dividing the joint cavity into the upper and lower floors, the joint capsule and the ligamentous apparatus.

TMJ pathologies include:

muscular-articular dysfunction of the TMJ, as a result of internal disorders or a joint of the ligamentous-muscular apparatus
arthrosis
arthritis
synovitis
chondromatosis
ankylosis

Musculo-articular dysfunction of the TMJ

Muscle-articular dysfunction of the TMJ can cause disruption of the work of such muscle groups as masticatory, mimic, cervical; or cause intra-articular disorders of the movement and position of the disc and (or) ligamentous apparatus.

Arthrosis

Degenerative changes in the TMJ are most often described by radiation diagnosticians and manifested as a narrowing of the joint space on CT or MRI examination, which is a symptom of other diseases of the TMJ.

Arthritis

Inflammatory disease of the TMJ, the causes of which can be specific (tuberculosis, syphilis) or non-specific infectious agents; as well as autoimmune and connective tissue diseases.

Ankylosis

Acquired or congenital TMJ mobility impairment. It may be a consequence of hematogenous osteomyelitis as a result of umbilical sepsis, rheumatoid disease, trauma and is characterized by heterotopic bone formation and fusion of articular surfaces.

Treatment

Treatment for TMJ can range from conservative dental and medical treatments to complex surgical procedures.