How do I know if my ear pain is from TMJ?

How do I know if my ear pain is from TMJ?

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.

Can your jaw cause ear problems?

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause ear pain, tinnitus, and hearing loss in some people. The TMJ is located next to your ear and connects your skull to the lower jaw.

Can a jaw infection cause ear pain?

Jaw injuries An injury, such as a broken jaw or a strain or sprain in the surrounding muscles, could cause jaw pain that radiates to the ear.

Can ENT doctors treat TMJ?

Ear nose and throat doctors are the only professionals who can diagnose and treat TMJ/TMD. ENT doctors turn to various treatments for TMJ, including prescription, over-the-counter, and non-medicinal options.

How long will TMJ pain last?

Acute TMJ symptoms and signs may last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks and then disappear after the injury or cause of discomfort has resolved. For a chronic TMJ condition, the symptoms can be ongoing with episodes of sharp and/or dull pain that occur over an extended period of time (months to years).

Can arthritis in the jaw cause ear pain?

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.

How do I know if it’s ear pain or toothache?

Here are a few tips to tell the difference between an earache and a toothache: If the pain is accompanied by the presence of a cold or flu, it’s more likely to be an earache or sinus infection. The presence of a headache means the likelihood is greater that you have a toothache rather than an earache.

How does TMJ affect the ear?

The TMJ is located adjacent to the ear, so swelling and inflammation of the jaw joint often directly affects the ears. The inflammation can cause blocked Eustachian tubes, which can lead to plugged ears, a painful feeling in the ears, or even hearing loss.

How does TMJ cause ear pain?

Ear pain associated with TMJ results from the spread of the inflammation from the jaw area. The ear is less than half an inch away from the temporo-mandibular joint, so as the joint swells and becomes tender, the inflammation does not have a long way to spread.

Can TMJ cause fluid in ear?

And TMJ isn’t going to cause ear discharge. Remember, discharge can come from your ear or from your eustachian tubes. A fever or localized warmth are related to the activity of bacteria or your body’s immune response. If you have ear symptoms, it’s not a bad idea to see an ENT about them.

How does TMJ affect the ears?

Inflammation in the TMJ can have a direct effect on the ears because the joint is adjacent to the ear. It can cause blocked Eustachian tubes, which can lead to negative effects on hearing, such as feelings of stuffiness or clogging, pain, and hearing loss.