Jaw and Ear Pain
Many TMJ disorder patients report having ear pain along with other common TMJ disorder symptoms. However, other conditions can also cause this type of discomfort so it is important to see a medical professional if you are unsure or concerned about your health.
Ear pain related to TMJ disorder may feel like:
- Ear infection
- Dull, aching pain
- Sharp pain around the ear area, behind, below, or inside the ear.
- Feeling of fullness in the ear or in the eustachian tubes (tubes which connect the middle ear to the upper part of the throat & equalize air pressure in the ear).
- Ringing or other noises.
- Pain upon swallowing, chewing, and/or speaking.
If you have any drainage, pus, or blood draining from the ear, or your pain does not go away for several days please see your doctor immediately.
The anatomy of the jaw is such that ear pain is a very common symptom of TMJ disorder. Since the jaw is so close, it can refer pain quite easily to the general ear area and can feel as though the pain is inside or causing an infection.
However, not all pain in the head and face is because of TMJ disorder. Other causes can be: ear wax build up, ear infection, tooth infection, throat infection, and other facial pain conditions like trigeminal neuralgia.
There is no specific treatment for ear pain related to or caused by TMJ disorder, but many treatments end up relieving the pain unintentionally. There are many things you can do at home, or self-remedies, that will help to relieve ear pain right now.
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