Explore the intricate connection between TMJ and ear infections. Discover the key differences, symptoms, and effective treatments for each condition. Get the answers you need to alleviate your ear pain.

Understanding the Relationship Between TMJ and Ear Infections

Ear pain can be a perplexing issue, as it can stem from various underlying causes. While ear infections are a common culprit, a significant portion of patients experiencing ear pain may actually be dealing with a problem originating from the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) rather than the ear itself.

Anatomy of the Ear and TMJ

To better understand the connection between TMJ and ear pain, it’s essential to explore the anatomy of the ear and the TMJ. The visible part of the ear, the earlobe, leads to the ear canal, which then connects to the eardrum and the middle ear structures. Directly in front of the ear canal is the temporomandibular joint, the joint that controls the jaw bone, or mandible. The front wall of the ear canal is actually the back wall of the TMJ capsule, which means that any issues with the TMJ can directly impact the ear.

Causes of TMJ-Related Ear Pain

When there is inflammation or irritation in the TMJ, it can result in pain that radiates to the ear. This can be due to arthritic changes, similar to those experienced in other joints, or it can be caused by the muscles and tendons that regulate the TMJ and the mandible. Conditions that can contribute to worsening TMJ issues include chewing hard or rubbery foods, grinding or clenching the teeth, and even changes in weather, such as colder temperatures or excessive air conditioning.

Distinguishing Between TMJ and Ear Infection

Patients with TMJ dysfunction often report ear pain in the absence of other typical ear infection symptoms, such as drainage, hearing loss, fever, or water exposure. During a physical examination, the ear canals, eardrums, and middle ears are typically found to be normal, and hearing tests may also come back normal.

Symptoms of TMJ vs. Ear Infection

The key difference between TMJ-related ear pain and an ear infection lies in the accompanying symptoms. While an ear infection may cause symptoms like pain, redness, swelling, and discharge from the ear, TMJ-related ear pain is often characterized by a dull, nagging sensation or a more sporadic, stabbing pain, with subtle changes in jaw position.

Seeking Professional Help

If you are experiencing persistent or unexplained ear pain, it is recommended to consult with a medical professional, such as an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist or a dentist who specializes in TMJ disorders. They can perform a thorough examination and differentiate between ear-related issues and TMJ-related problems, allowing for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment Approaches

The treatment approach for TMJ-related ear pain may involve a combination of strategies, such as pain medication, physical therapy, bite splints, and in some cases, even surgery. For ear infections, the treatment typically involves antibiotics, pain management, and measures to address the underlying cause, such as addressing any blockages or infections.

It’s important to note that the relationship between TMJ and ear pain is complex, and the underlying cause of your ear pain may not always be clear-cut. A comprehensive evaluation by a qualified healthcare professional is crucial to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

If you are experiencing persistent or unexplained ear pain, don’t hesitate to seek medical attention. With the right diagnosis and treatment approach, you can find relief and restore your overall well-being.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while ear infections are a common cause of ear pain, a significant portion of patients may be experiencing TMJ-related ear discomfort. Understanding the anatomy, causes, and distinguishing symptoms of TMJ and ear infections is crucial for seeking the appropriate treatment and finding relief. By working with healthcare professionals who specialize in these conditions, you can unravel the mystery of your ear pain and take the necessary steps to address the underlying issue.

Your ear pain may not be from the ear at all. It might be from your TMJ (temporomandibular joint)

• Posted on: Jun 18 2015
• By: brandon.shaw

A sensation of ear pain is a common reason that many patients seek the advice of an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist. This could be from an outer ear infection such as external blockage with ear wax or with swimmer’s ears situations. Ear pain can also come from middle ear infection, which is more common in children.

However, a large portion of patients that experience ear pain have no ear problems whatsoever. The source of their ear pain may actually be from the jaw bone!

Let us review the anatomy. The visible portion of the earlobe leads to the ear canal, which then leads to the eardrum and the middle ear structures. Directly in front of the ear canal is the joint that controls our jaw bone, namely the mandible. This joint is called the temporal mandibular joint. The front wall of the ear canal is actually the back wall of the joint capsule.

Occasionally, if there are situations with the joint that lead to inflammation and irritation, pain can result. This could be due to arthritic type changes that you might similarly experience in your hip joint, your knee joint or your elbows or shoulders. The pain could be dull and nagging, or it could be stabbing with occasional subtle changes in the position of the jaw. Alternatively, the pain could be coming from the muscles and tendons that regulate the joint and the mandible.

The patients with TMJ dysfunction often complain of ear pain in the absence of any other ear findings such as drainage from the ears, hearing loss, fevers, or any water exposure. They typically have a normal examination of the ear canals, the ear drum and the middle ears, as well as any specific testing done with hearing test.

Conditions that otherwise might lead to worsening of the TMJ problem are varied. It is thought that chewing hard or rubbery foods contributes to over-exercise of the jaw bone area, which then can lead to more wear and tear. Specifically, chewing gum is a redundant motion of the jaw bone, as well as a side-to-side motion rather than a normal chewing, which is up and down motion. Colder weather can affect the joint and basically can “freeze,” the joint, which then leads to worsening of the pain. More people get TMJ dysfunction either during the winter, or again during the summer with too much air-conditioning indoors. Warm compresses help to relieve some of this situation. Stress can also lead to subconscious grinding of the teeth or clenching of the jaw, which once again can give the patient symptoms of TMJ pain.

If you are experiencing ear pain, which is rather atypical in its presentation, it is recommended for you to see a doctor right away to differentiate between ear sources versus non-ear sources for the pain. This could be done by a visit to the ear, nose and throat specialist.

Tagged with: ear infection, ear nose throat, ear pain, earache, ENT, Isaac Namdar, Isaac Namdar MD, New York, new york city, ny, NYC, otalgia, otitis, otitis externa, Otolaryngology, Otorhinolaryngology, temperomandibular joint, TMJ

Posted in: Ears

TMJ Ear Pain Noblesville | Deldar Dental

What can cause ear pain?

Dr. Mike Deldar, TMJ Dentist Noblesville:

Ear pain can affect your daily life significantly. When you don’t know what is causing your ear pain, it’s hard to know how to get rid of it.

You have probably searched for “How do you relieve earache pain?” on the internet, and although Internet is an amazing resource for information, some articles can reflect contradicting causes, view points and treatment approaches.

When you are at the point to take action to get rid of your ear pain, but you don’t know exactly what to do, you’re not alone.  I will try to provide you with answers to your ear pain questions on this page.

Dr. Mike Deldar
Neuromuscular Dentist Noblesville / Indianapolis

OFFER: TMJ PAIN?

Schedule a TMJ Diagnosis Appointment ($175)

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Does TMJ make your ears hurt?

Ear congestion, persistent earaches, dizziness, vertigo and ringing in the ears can all be traced back to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD or TMJ disorder). Ear pain is a common symptom of TMJ disorder or TMD.

TMJ disorder is a condition that affects a person’s jaw joint. This joint is a very important component in the mouth it is responsible for all functions of the jaw, including chewing, eating, and speaking. Over-activity of your jaw can make your ear canal sensitive and can result in a multitude of symptoms.

Your ear has two important muscles: Tensor tympani is a muscle attached to the ear drum, stabilizing it from excess vibration caused by loud sounds. The Tensor Levi Palatini is a muscle that’s attached to the Eustachian tube helping to equalizing pressure within the inner ear. It is what unplugs your ears when you chew gum or suck a hard candy in an airplane.

Jaw misalignment and the over-compensation of these muscles can lead to a multitude of symptoms related to your ears. These symptoms are the result of having a strained bite when the jaw is misaligned.

Misaligned bite symptoms

The jaw area is a complex network of muscles and nerves. When the bite is misaligned, muscles and nerves throughout the head, including the ears, can be affected. The most common and obvious effect is persistent ringing in the ears.

It can also lead to:

• Dizziness
• Vertigo
• Ear pain or discomfort (earaches)
• Impaired or restricted hearing
• Congested or stuffy feeling in your ears
• Sinus pain

By stabilizing and realigning your jaw, your bite will be restored to its normal position, relieving the problems in your ears caused by the misaligned bite.

Can TMJ feel like an ear infection?

Often people with TMJ may think they just have an ear infection. Ear symptoms are common in TMJ as 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.

Noblesville TMJ Dentist Dr. Mike Deldar

Years of Experience

Awarded Top dentist

Happy Patients

What causes ringing in the ears?

Cannot take the quiet nights anymore when the ringing in your ears comes out in full force? Is the lack of sleep getting you down and are your relationships suffering? Is it hard to get yourself motivated and perform at work because you constantly feel exhausted?

You have been looking for treatment but you have no idea what you are dealing with and where to look for help. Has anyone told you you may be suffering from an inner ear condition called tinnitus?

If you have occasional, or constant ringing in your ears, wondering how to stop it has probably eluded you.  Tinnitus (including headache and ear pain) is often related to a condition known as TMJ disorder.

People with TMJ disorder often experience a painful ear ache. However, the cause isn’t an infection. It’s the misalignment and inflammation of the jaw joint. With the jaw out of place, ligament traction is adversely affected. This can cause dysfunction, pain, and ear ringing.

No one should have to live with ear pain

Dealing with chronic ear ringing and ear pain can really impact your quality of life. Thankfully, you can put an end to the ringing and pain by treating your TMJ disorder.

Stop being afraid of going to bed and the noise in your head to come out. Take the 3 easy steps and say “Goodbye” to missing out on sleep and trying to make it through the day. Say “Hello” to a quiet night sleep and energy to enjoy the people in your life!

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Tagged Ear PainEar RingingHearing LossNoise Induced Hearing LossRinging in My EarsRinging in your Ears

Scientists urged to reduce the time of using headphones

10/09/2021 | 12:30

These devices prevent our ears from breathing.

Photo: Shutterstock

Scientists from Bond University (Australia) drew attention to the fact that wearing headphones for a long time can cause serious health problems, writes The Conversation.

Earwax, produced by the ceruminous glands, is needed by humans and mammals to clean and lubricate the ear canals and to protect against bacteria, fungi and insects. Normally, the ears are self-cleaning of sulfur: the excess secretion produced is pushed out of the ear canal. Moreover, this is done during the movement of the temporomandibular joint, that is, when a person speaks, swallows, chews. The use of cotton swabs often leads to the opposite effect: people do not clean their ears, but, on the contrary, tamp the sulfur produced and prevent it from escaping on its own. Headphones can do the same. Too much wax can cause inflammation, wax plugs, hearing problems, pain and tinnitus.

Wearing headphones for a long time also causes the wax to dry more slowly. The longer it stays sticky, the more it builds up. In addition, the headphones keep sweat and moisture in the ears, which can develop bacterial and fungal infections.

Delaying the release of earwax (the self-cleaning process) can lead to more wax production. Also, poorly cleaned headphones can infect yourself, and high volume can damage your hearing.

Scientists note that the ears need to breathe, this allows them to self-cleanse from wax and function normally.

Global warming has made animals more deaf-eared

The doctor explained why many people hate the sound of their own voice

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Treatment of the temporomandibular joint

How to understand why the jaw joints hurt and how TMJ pathologies are treated in dentistry

Navigation through article

1. TMJ information
2. How the jaw moves
3. Classification of diseases
4. Causes of pathologies
5. Symptoms and signs of disorders
6. Diagnostics
7. Types of pain
8. Methods of treatment
9. – conservative
10. – surgical
11. – houses
12. What time is it

question for a specialist

When we chew, we don’t always think that this process requires more than just teeth. The whole dental system works here. Chewing would not be possible without the TMJ – the temporomandibular joints, or, more briefly, the temporomandibular joints. Dental problems, masticatory muscle malfunctions, and even food preferences overload or underload the temporomandibular joint, which subsequently takes a long time to heal. Next, we will dwell on the causes and symptoms of TMJ dysfunction, violations in their work, and how treatment is carried out.

Information about the TMJ

There are two temporomandibular joints – on the right and on the left, respectively, they are called “left” and “right”. Each is formed at the junction of two bones – the mandibular and temporal. It is located in the projection of the anterior part of the auricle. TMJs are a kind of support for the entire chewing apparatus – muscles, ligaments, teeth.

An intra-articular disc is considered a unique TMJ formation. Thanks to him, the lower jaw is able to move along complex trajectories. In addition to the disk, the joint is formed by the articular head and cavity, joint capsule, ligaments. If there were no TMJ, or if they were arranged more primitively, then we could only bite off food, but not chew it.

How the jaw moves with the TMJ

The functions of the temporomandibular joint are to move, move the lower jaw (the upper jaw is always stationary) in the following directions:

• up and down (along the frontal axis of the TMJ): to open and close the mouth, holding and biting food,
• back and forth (sagittal): for biting and grinding food,
• lateral movements left and right (on the vertical axis): for chewing food.

Alone, the left and right jaw joints do not work. Only together, i.e. synchronously is a paired organ.

Classification of articular diseases

TMJ disorders are divided into 2 types – articulatory and non-articulatory. In turn, articulations are divided into such as:

• arthritis: inflammatory diseases of the TMJ,
• osteoarthritis and internal disorders: non-inflammatory pathologies,
• ankylosis: with ankylosis, elastic cartilage tissue is replaced by dense scar or bone tissue. Joint loses normal mobility,
• anomalies arising in fetal development or due to hereditary factors,
• benign and malignant neoplasms (tumors),
• subluxations and dislocations of the jaw.

Non-articulatory disorders affecting the temporomandibular joints are as follows:

• bruxism: a neurological disease in which there is a sharp spasm of the muscles and a strong clenching of the jaws. Spasms occur predominantly during sleep,
• Temporomandibular Joint Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (abbreviation for TMJ SBD): occurs due to spasm and increased muscle tone, due to soft tissue injury of the TMJ,
• contractures of the chewing muscles: when the muscles are too short compared to the norm, they are reduced to complete immobility and the inability to work properly. Pathology can occur on a nervous basis, due to inflammation, trauma.

Causes of pathologies

Pain in the temporomandibular joint occurs due to its diseases (the types were discussed above), pathologies of the oral cavity, muscular frame. Pathological processes can appear at any age – in children, adolescents, adults, athletes. The reasons why the TMJ hurts and/or moves poorly are as follows:

• lack of nutrients or hormonal disorders: cartilage tissue becomes thinner, bones become more porous,0038
• malocclusion,
• reduction in bite height due to tooth extraction or increased enamel wear,
• bad tooth: if it is not treated for a long time, then chewing unconsciously occurs on the healthy side. Therefore, one joint is overloaded, the second works less,
• uncomfortable prosthesis: it could have been incorrectly made initially, or the person neglected regular visits to the dentist and did not give the prosthesis for relocation,
• irrational orthodontic treatment: wearing uncomfortable plates or braces (when they press too hard),
• jaw or temporal bone injuries,
• Predominance of very hard foods in the diet,
• bruxism: we have already talked about it above – the pathology itself is not dental, but provokes many problems of the dentoalveolar system. Incl. TMJ dysfunction, enamel wear, tooth decay,
• hereditary factors,
• surgeries performed on the face, incl. complicated wisdom tooth extraction (as a complication of surgery),
• ear infections.

The surfaces of the temporomandibular joint are covered with thin and easily injured connective tissue cartilage. Therefore, any inflammation leads to a rapid melting of the cartilage and ankylosis.

As for the joint capsule, its surface is thinner in front, so dislocations occur quite easily.

According to statistics, problems of the temporomandibular joint are in third place – after caries and periodontitis. They are detected in 5-25% of applied patients. Moreover, more than 83% of them have various malocclusion, dentoalveolar deformities and anomalies.

Symptoms and signs of disorders

Symptoms of diseases of the temporomandibular joint are manifested both in the joint itself and in the head, neck, etc. Signs may be single, or there may be a combination of several at once, we suggest you learn more about them:

• on the side of the mouth: pain in one or both joints, pain and clicking when opening / closing the mouth or any displacement of the temporomandibular joint, jamming of the mouth when opening or closing,
• dental condition: soreness when chewing food, toothache in an indeterminate place (it is not clear which tooth hurts), too much clenching of teeth, teeth grinding at night, malocclusion, crowding of teeth, missing teeth (one or more),
• on the side of the head: muscle spasms, pain in the head, behind the eyes, in the temples, facial pain, migraine,
• manifestations in the neck: soreness and spasms of the muscles of the neck, discomfort and fatigue,
• on the part of the ears: a feeling of pressure or congestion, clicking, crunching, extraneous sounds, pain,
• facial appearance: asymmetric areas (for example, one corner of the lips is raised or lowered, the other is normal), early and deep wrinkles, too protruding or small chin.

Diagnostics in dentistry

Diagnosis of TMJ pathologies is carried out only in dentistry – by an orthopedist or gnathologist. If the patient himself notices that his temporomandibular joint hurts, then often, instead of going to the doctor, he begins to chew on the healthy side or take painkillers. But this will not solve the problem, because pain is only a symptom. If you do not start treatment, the pathology will only intensify.

Diagnosis of diseases of the temporomandibular joint is as follows:

• survey: collection of complaints, duration and severity of symptoms,
• examination: palpation (palpation with fingers) of the masticatory muscles and auscultation (listening with a phonendoscope) of the articular region. The dentist can hear friction noise when the articular head moves, clicks, crunch. Visually, asymmetric areas are determined on the face. Also, for this, photometry and a study of a photo of a face in a computer diagnostician Proface,

can be carried out

• x-ray examination – spot x-ray, radiovisiography, TRG (teleroentgenogram), OPTG (panoramic image), CT (computed tomography): well reflect the state of the bone tissue of the joint and the bones that form it. The latest CT machines are equipped with “smart” programs that almost instantly identify pathological areas,
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): shows the condition of the synovial membrane of the joint capsule, cavity and articular cartilage,
• functional diagnostics: with the help of special equipment (myograph, axiograph, facial arch, articulator), bite parameters are taken, the work of the muscles and the trajectory of the movement of the lower jaw are evaluated,
• laboratory tests: complete blood count, analysis of synovial joint fluid, histological or bacteriological examination of a piece of the synovial membrane.

What different types of pain indicate

Diagnosis according to the symptoms of common TMJ disorders looks like this:

Functional disorders (improper operation of the TMJ) are indicated by pain that appeared after the installation of an incorrectly made prosthesis, or against the background of a long absence of teeth. Pain can be of a different nature – strong, weak, constant and episodic,

Treatment options for TMJ problems

Treatment for temporomandibular joint dysfunction is based on the patient’s symptoms and diagnosis. It is necessary to remove the excess load from the overloaded joint, and the “underloaded” joint should be smoothly involved in normal work. Treat TMJ diseases can be both conservative and surgical methods. A combination of several methods of treatment is possible – the plan is drawn up individually for each patient. Additionally, the dentist may prescribe the patient to perform special exercises at home.

Conservative treatment in dentistry

How to treat disorders of the temporomandibular joints in dentistry, we will tell you further:

• to relieve pain and inflammation: painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics are prescribed. The drugs can be taken orally, or they can be put in the form of injections, in the form of a blockade,
• to improve the functioning of the masticatory muscles: myogymnastics, TENS therapy (with the help of biocurrents, certain groups of facial muscles are stimulated or relaxed),
• physiotherapy: includes magnetotherapy, ultrasound and laser stimulation, electrophoresis,
• for fixation of the lower jaw in case of dislocation and displacement of the head of the temporomandibular joint: apply a pressure bandage or splint,
• dental treatment for caries, pulpitis, periodontitis, cysts and granulomas,
• installation of new dentures, crowns, bridges, veneers,
• wearing orthodontic appliances (correctly selected and installed): plates, trainers, braces, aligners,
• treatment of neurological pathologies (bruxism, for example): with the help of special preparations and hardware biofeedback therapy, the psycho-emotional state improves, stress resistance increases,

Read on the topic: how digital diagnostics help to make not only beautiful, but also comfortable prostheses that improve the functioning of the TMJ.

Surgical treatment

The help of a dental surgeon or maxillofacial surgeon may be required for serious bite pathologies, with the accumulation of pus (an incision is made and a drainage tube is placed). In case of dislocation and fracture of the jaw, complex combined treatment is required ¹ – both surgery and joint fixation.

Instead of classic prosthetics (as a treatment option for TMJ), implantation can be performed. This is a more reliable and durable way to restore teeth, in which the normalization of the TMJ is faster than when wearing removable dentures. Implants are placed by a dentist-implantologist.

What to do at home

First of all, the dentist will recommend reducing the load on the diseased temporomandibular joint – giving up coarse and hard food (lumpy meat, solid whole fruits and vegetables, not chewing nuts and crackers). According to the indications, a set of special exercises is prescribed for training or relaxing the masticatory muscles, working out the TMJ. For each patient, the doctor selects this kind of gymnastics individually, based on the causes of the TMJ pathology.

“My jaw joint has been clicking for several months, my jaw has been a bit wedged in the morning. Then the pain began to appear. I decided to go to the dentist, until it completely jammed it. It turned out that all this is due to the fact that there are no two chewing teeth side by side, and I chew on the other side. So the balance is off. I decided to put a metal-ceramic bridge instead of these teeth. Plus, they said special exercises to do at home. Now everything is slowly getting better. No more pain and no more clicking.

Anna V., review from the site woman.ru

How long does the treatment take

TMJ pathologies do not develop in one day. Of course, if the cause was not an injury. But in any case, the process of complete recovery will be long – several weeks or months. It depends not only on the quality of treatment, but also on how carefully the patient himself follows the recommendations of the doctor.