Ear Pain from TMJ
Ear pain from TMj is actually quite common. The temporomandibular joint is located adjacent to the ears, directly in front of them. The TMJ is involved in jaw movements responsible for talking, chewing, and yawning, so it’s easy to see why there might be Ear pain with TMJ disorders.
This article will explain why there is ear pain with TMJ and offer up some tips for alleviating the pain and discomfort.
Table of Contents
Ear Pain from TMJ: Understanding TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, or TMD, includes any dysfunction or disability of the temporomandibular joint.
TMJ discomfort and ear pain from TMJ can be triggered by clenching and grinding, trauma to the face and jaw, arthritis, excessive gum chewing, or a misaligned bite. TMJ disorders can be separated into three different categories:
- Myofascial Pain: The first level of TMJ disorder presents itself as a deep, aching pain in the muscles of the joint. This is the most common type of TMD.
- Internal Derangement of the Joint: The TMJ dysfunction is caused by a dislocated joint or trauma to the jaw.
- Degenerative Disease: TMJ disorders can be caused by degenerative diseases like Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. Over time, this can cause chronic pain and the joint to break down.
Why is There Ear Pain with TMJ?
The TMJ is located around .5 centimeters from the ear canal. The TMJ and the supporting muscles can become inflamed and irritated causing radiating pain.
The nerves associated with ear pain from TMJ are connected to the eustachian tube that equalizes pressure around the ear drum.
Common symptoms of ear pain with TMJ disorder are:
- Radiating ear pain
- Clogged ears
- Tinnitus, ringing in the ears
- Pain in the neck, shoulders, face, and head
6 Tips for Relieving Ear Pain from TMJ
Relieving ear pain from TMJ with home treatments focuses on healing the joint that leads to ear pain. During periods of TMJ pain, support the joint by using the following tips:
Eat Soft Food
Eating a soft food diet minimizes jaw joint movement and promotes muscle relaxation.
Try to Avoid Moving Your Jaw
Avoid excessively moving the jaw like long periods of talking or chewing gum.
Apply Heat
Warm compresses help with muscle pain and stiffness. Heat will increase blood flow and help relax the muscles that support the TMJ. Use for periods of 15-20 minutes.
Use Cold Compresses
Cold compresses will help with pain associated with inflammation and swelling. Alternate for periods of 15-20 minutes.
Medications
Use over-the-counter NSAIDs as instructed to reduce inflammation while reducing pain.
Get a Massage
TMJ massages to relax the involved muscles and ligaments.
For more tips and in depth discussions on healing TMJ pain, check out our Treating TMJ Pain At Home article.
Tips to Prevent Ear Pain with TMJ
Long-term healing of ear pain from TMJ is achieved by correcting the cause of it. TMJ disorders can be caused by stress leading to clenching and grinding, medical disorders, a misaligned bite, and many other factors. Steps to heal from TMJ pain are:
- Night-Guards: A night guard is a professionally made appliance that acts as a barrier between the top and bottom teeth opening the jaw slightly. This will protect the teeth when clenching and grinding. Our article Night Guard for TMJ pain has additional information.
- Stress Management: Stress can cause people to hold the tension in their jaw, overworking the TMJ. Ways to reduce stress include exercise, meditation, decreasing alcohol and caffeine, walking, and other outdoor activities.
- Orthodontics: Braces can help align the teeth and improve how the teeth come together. Fixing the bite improves how the TMJ moves and operates.
- TMJ Surgery: Depending on the disability of the TMJ disorder, surgery may be recommended.
Talk to your dental and medical professionals today for help with your TMJ disorder. More information is in our How To Heal TMJ Pain in Jaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does ear pain from TMJ last?
Flare-ups of ear pain from TMJ can last from a few days to a few weeks. Talk to your doctor today if pain increases and becomes less manageable.
What causes TMJ to flare up?
A TMJ flare-up is caused by irritation and overworking the temporomandibular joint. This can be caused by clenching, grinding, a misaligned bite or even excessive gum chewing.
Can TMJ make your ears feel clogged?
The TMJ is located in front of the ears. Pressure caused by the TMJ can radiate to the ears causing the nerves to make the ear feel clogged. The feeling can be mistaken for an ear infection. Treating the TMJ will lead to treating the ear.
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