Can An Ear Infection Cause Jaw Joint Pain

Why Tmj Could Be Causing Your Ear Pain

A few common causes of ear pain aside from trauma include ear infections, inflammation of the ear canal, and blockage of the ear canal. These complications call for the attention of a physician for treatment. Physicians may also check your parotid gland, a salivary gland just in front of the ear, which may produce stones that put pressure on the ear canal. If an ear, nose, and throat specialist has ruled out the above causes of your ear pain, however, your trouble could be caused by TMJ.

The three bones that make up the inner ear are housed inside the temporal bone, which our jaw presses against. TMJ puts excess pressure on the temporal bone, leading to increased pressure within the ear. That pressure causes ear pain.

Another reason that TMJ can cause ear pain is because it puts pressure on the trigeminal nerve. This nerve controls most of the movement of the ear. Poor alignment of the jaw can cause spasms along the trigeminal nerve, leading to ear pain.

Ear pain may be accompanied by tinnitus, which is roaring or ringing in the ears that can have many causes . In the case of TMJ disorder, tinnitus is often caused by the pressure on the trigeminal nerve which can create tension on inner ear muscles.

Ear Infection Uncommon In Adults

Even if you got painful ear infections often as a child, you are unlikely to get them as an adult. An ear infection typically occurs when an infection elsewhere, such as a cold or flu, spreads to the middle ear. High numbers of bacteria and/or viruses clog the narrow passage. The clogging gets worse as your immune response causes swelling and the production of fluid in the ear. In children, the ear passage is narrow and easily clogged.

In adults, the ear passage is wider and less likely to get clogged. Plus, our immune response changes as we get older. Generally, this means we dont get as much swelling.

What Are Some Causes Of Jaw And Ear Pain

Dental conditions, temporomandibular joint disorder, neuralgia and rheumatoid arthritis may cause jaw pain, states Healthgrades. Arthritis of the jaw, a sinus infection, a hole in the ear or a tooth infection may result in ear pain, explains MedlinePlus.

Disorders of the jaw and soft tissues that can result in jaw pain include osteoarthritis, bone infection, tetanus, sinusitis, and jaw dislocation or fracture, notes Healthgrades. Osteonecrosis of the jaw, which is insufficient supply of blood to the jaw area, improperly aligned teeth, and age-related wear and tear on the jaw joint and surrounding tissues may also trigger jaw pain. Tooth decay, tooth abscesses, dry socket and impacted teeth are dental disorders that can lead to jaw pain.

Headache and thyroiditis, which is inflammation of the thyroid gland, may cause the jaw to ache, according to Healthgrades. Oral cancer and heart attacks are life threatening conditions that can stimulate jaw pain.

Other causes of ear pain include sore throat, temporomandibular joint condition, short-term or long-term ear infections, and injuries to the ear, according to MedlinePlus. Ear canal irritation, ear wax buildup and obstacles that stay in the ear, including soaps and shampoo, may also cause the problem. In children, ear pain is usually due to infections. A person can chew gum, put a cold cloth on the outer ear, dry the ears after bathing and use over-the-counter medications to alleviate the pain.

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Causes Of Infection In Jaw Bone

The most common cause of an infection in the jaw bone is a dental problem, such as an infected tooth or a cracked tooth. The infection can also be caused by any of the following reasons:

• Tooth infection

• Tooth loss
• Loss of appetite

The symptoms of infection in jaw bone are like the symptoms of a sinus infection. You may also have fever, chills, and fatigue.

Is Tmj Or A Ganglion Cyst Causing Your Jaw Problems

There are many conditions that can be confused with TMJ because they have overlapping symptoms. Tracking down the exact cause of your symptoms is crucial to ensuring you get proper treatment.If you are experiencing jaw-related symptoms, TMJ is the most common cause, but in rare cases, a ganglion cyst may be to blame.

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What Are Risk Factors For Tmj Syndrome

Ongoing studies conducted by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research , part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, are focused on evaluating risk factors for TMJ syndrome in healthy individuals. Initial results have identified a group of physiological, psychological, sensory, and genetic and nervous system factors that may increase the risk of developing TMJ syndrome. New findings will allow us to better understand the onset and progression of TMJ syndrome. Furthermore, novel ways to diagnose and treat the condition can be developed. Below are some risk factors that have been identified:

Gender: Women are at higher risk of developing TMJ syndrome compared to men. Additionally, there may be differences in how women and men respond to pain and to pain medications.

Age: Studies of individuals between the ages of 18-44 show that the risk to develop TMJ conditions increases for women. This has been noted especially for women during their childbearing years. For men ages 18-44, there was no increased risk.

Pain tolerance: Studies suggest that people who are more sensitive to mildly painful stimuli have an increased risk of developing TMJ syndrome.

Genetics: There is some indication that genes related to stress response, psychological health, and inflammation may increase the risk for TMJ syndrome.

Chronic pain: Those who suffer from chronic pain conditions such as lower back pain and headaches may be at increased risk for TMJ syndrome.

Treating Ear Pain By Treating Tmj

Some ear, nose, and throat specialists as well as family doctors will note TMJ as a possible cause of ear pain but may be unable to treat it successfully. Visiting a TMJ dentist to see what treatment options may be best for you could be the difference between continued ear pain and the relief you are seeking.

To learn how you can get relief from TMJ and related symptoms, please call for an appointment with a Denver TMJ dentist at the TMJ Therapy & Sleep Center of Colorado.

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How Does Tmj Work

When you bite down hard, you put force on the object between your teeth and on the joint. In terms of physics, the jaw is the lever and the TMJ is the fulcrum. Actually, more force is applied to the joint surface than to whatever is between your teeth. To accommodate such forces and to prevent too much wear and tear, the cartilage between the mandible and skull normally provides a smooth surface over which the joint can freely slide with minimal friction.

Therefore, the forces of chewing can be distributed over a wider surface in the joint space and minimize the risk of injury. In addition, several muscles contribute to opening and closing the jaw and aid in the function of the TMJ.

Symptoms include:

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.

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Presence Of Osteoarthritis Or Rheumatoid Arthritis In The Tmj

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of degenerative arthritis. It can affect every joint in the body, including the TMJ. Osteoarthritis of the TMJ affects both the hard and soft tissues around the TMJ, changing the shape and functioning of the jaw.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic,; autoimmune disease. It attacks the lining of the TMJ causing it to become inflamed and damaging the joint tissue.

What Causes Tmj Syndrome

TMJ syndrome can be caused bytrauma, disease, wear and tear due to aging, or oral habits.

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How Can Things Go Wrong With Tmj

In most patients, pain associated with the TMJ is a result of displacement of the cartilage disc that causes pressure and stretching of the associated sensory nerves. The popping or clicking occurs when the disk snaps into place when the jaw moves. In addition, the chewing muscles may spasm, function inefficiently, and cause pain and tenderness.

Both major and minor trauma to the jaw can significantly contribute to the development of TMJ problems. If you habitually clench, grit, or grind your teeth, you increase the wear on the cartilage lining of the joint, and it doesnt have a chance to recover. Many persons are unaware that they grind their teeth, unless someone tells them so.

Chewing gum much of the day can cause similar problems. Stress and other psychological factors have also been implicated as contributory factors to TMJ dysfunction. Other causes include teeth that do not fit together properly , malpositioned jaws, and arthritis. In certain cases, chronic malposition of the cartilage disc and persistent wear in the cartilage lining of the joint space can cause further damage.;

How Serious Is A Jaw Bone Infection

A jaw bone infection is serious enough to warrant a trip to the hospital. If you have a jaw bone infection, then it is important that you seek medical treatment immediately. A jaw bone infection can be treated with antibiotics, but if you leave it untreated, then it can lead to serious health complications.

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How To Differentiate A Toothache From An Earache

Inevitably, there is crossover between the symptoms of a toothache and those from an earache. However, there are some defining differences between pain from a tooth or the jaw and pain caused by an earache or sinus blockage:

• Headaches suggest a toothache. While not a guarantee, tooth and ear pain alongside a headache generally indicates a tooth problem, likely a cavity or other tooth decay.
• Cold or flu symptoms suggest sinus infection. Ear and tooth pain alongside symptoms thought to be from a cold or the flu could be signs of a sinus infection or an earache.
• Consider past history. Those who have chronic ear infections are more likely to be dealing with an ear infection. Likewise, those who have experienced toothaches as the result of dental work, decay, or infection should contact their dentist.;

Why Can An Ear Hurt From A Toothache

Jaw, tooth, and ear pain is part of the trigeminal system. In short, this system is a three-pronged sensory nerve that encapsulates the head and face, providing sensory input for touch, pain, and temperature.;

The largest nerve system in the body, the trigeminal system is responsible for sensation in several structures in the body, including the ears, eyes, nose, mouth and meninges. Researchers note that the fear and angst associated with orofacial pain from this specific nerve is likely a cause of dentist phobia.;

Inversely, a toothache may accompany an ear or sinus infection because of the proximity of teeth to sinuses. The back top teeth are located right below the sinuses. When those sinus cavities become infected or inflamed, the pressure can radiate pain within the mouth.;

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A Problem With Your Jaw

Earache is occasionally caused by a problem with the joint of your jaw bone . This is known as temporomandibular joint pain and can be caused by problems such as arthritis or teeth grinding.

Jaw pain can often be treated with painkillers, warm or cold compresses, and trying not to clench your jaw and grind your teeth.

How To Tell An Ear Infection From Tmj

If both an ear infection and TMJ could be causing your symptoms, how do you tell the difference? Its likely you have an ear infection if you:

• Are sick or were sick recently

• Have a fever

• Experience ear discharge

An ear infection usually accompanies another illness. If you dont have another illness, then you probably dont have an ear infection. Fever is a good sign that you have an infection of some sort. If you have a fever, you should suspect an ear infection. Finally, TMJ wont cause anything to drip from your ears. If you have ear discharge , then you probably have an infection.

On the other hand, suspect TMJ if:

• A doctor rules out infection

• Symptoms dont resolve spontaneously or with antibiotics

• You have other TMJ symptoms

• Earache flares with jaw activity

If your doctor tells you that you dont have an infection, its probably best to believe them. Remember: ear infections are uncommon in adults. Ear infections tend to resolve on their own, though in some cases they might need treatment with antibiotics. However, if these dont work, then maybe its not an ear infection.

There are many TMJ symptoms, and almost no one experiences the same ones. Dont rule out TMJ just because you dont have jaw pain or headaches. Of course, if jaw activity, like chewing or talking, causes your ear symptoms to flare, its probably TMJ and not an ear infection.

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Ear Infection Affecting Jaw

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When To See A Medical Professional

Seek attention from a TMJ medical expert such as Dr. Katherine Phillips if you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, which may be accompanied by ear pain and othersymptoms. Untreated or undertreated TMD can lead to a host of long-term issues, including blockedeustachian tubesand possibly hearing loss.; Your TMJ specialist can discuss possible causes and treatments for your problem

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Working With A Professional

TMJ disorders can be extremely complex. The symptoms are often diverse and vary from case-to-case. So too does the underlying cause. A treatment plan that addresses the TMD in one patient wont necessarily treat the pain in another patient.

If you are suffering from ear aches and exhibiting TMD symptoms, you should consider working with a professional. He or she may be able to:

• Provide physical therapy
• Teach you how to perform strength-building exercises
• Prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants
• Build custom bite orthotics to realign the jaw and reduce stress on the jaw joint complex.

In some cases, surgery may be required or other treatment plans will have to be devised. Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, may also help. A TMJ disorder specialist can work with you to develop an effective treatment plan that will resolve your disorder and provide pain relief.

Common Symptoms Of A Toothache

Additionally, a toothache may have any of the following symptoms:

• Pain, generally aching, after consuming food or a cold or hot drink
• Bad breath
• Local pain inside or around the tooth
• Fever
• Earache
• Swollen glands

If any of these symptoms accompany a toothache for more than a day or two, a dentist appointment should be made.

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How To Know If A Cyst Is Causing Your Symptoms

A ganglion cyst can produce many TMJ-like symptoms, such as jaw pain, tinnitus, or vertigo. However, a ganglion cyst probably wont cause jaw clicking or popping, and the jaw pain will be only in the joint, with no pain in the jaw muscles.A ganglion cyst is more likely to cause a visible swelling at or near the jaw joint. It will happen on just one side, and all your pain will be related to that mass. The visible swelling is likely to happen before you notice any pain. Push on the swelling region. If it feels like its a fluid-filled balloon, then its a cyst. Often, if the cyst is close to the surface, light will shine through it. TMJ-related swelling is more likely to feel firm, like muscle.

Chronic Infection In Jaw Bone

It is a common problem that affects millions of people every year. According to the American Association of Endodontists, there are over 15 million root canal procedures performed every year. Most of these procedures are successful, but sometimes they fail. When this happens, the infection may spread to the jaw bone, leading to chronic infection in jaw bone.

There are several steps you can take to prevent this complication. First, you should always see a dentist if you have a tooth that is bothering you. Go to the dentist on a regular basis, as this will help to prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Third, you should always floss and brush your teeth, as these will help to prevent infection in the mouth.

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Can An Ear Infection Cause Your Jaw To Hurt

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Can A Toothache Cause An Earache

The short answer is yes a toothache can cause an earache.;

Often, this is due to the close proximity of the jaw joint, known as the temporomandibular joint , to the ear. When a tooth has decayed or is infected, the problem with the tooth can radiate from the jaw and be felt in the ear.

Conversely, a toothache can be the sign of an earache. In this case, cold and flu symptoms will likely be present as well. There are various causes and symptoms associated with each case. These will be discussed more thoroughly below.;

The most pressing concern for many will be how to alleviate this pain, regardless of its source. Until a medical or dental professional can be seen, there are a number of home remedies that can be used to provide relief from jaw, tooth, and ear pain.

While 40% of annual costs for chronic pain are due to orofacial problems, research has shown that roughly half of those experiencing tooth pain do not seek treatment and only 33% of those who did not seek treatment cited financial reasons.;;

Yet, dental pain has been shown to have a massive effect on a persons ability to function, interfering with sleep, mood, eating, work, and social life.;

The following will explain why a toothache may be the cause of ear or jaw pain, how to differentiate between a toothache and an earache, and the symptoms, causes, and home remedies for each.;

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How Doctors Diagnose Ear / Tmj Related Jaw Pain Issues

TMJ disorders are often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can mimic those of other medical conditions. Due to this, many sufferers go undiagnosed or underdiagnosed for years until they see a TMJ expert.

TMJ dentists take a detailed medical and dental history, and examine problem areas. Signs of overuse, such as worn down and cracked teeth due to grinding, will also be evaluated. As previously mentioned, a quick visual inspection is usually enough to rule out an ear infection. Diagnostics usually include imaging, such as advanced 3-D Cone Beam CT imaging or digital X-rays.;

• When seeing your TMJ dentist, keep in mind:
• Recent dental surgeries. Lengthy dental work that requires your mouth to be open wide for extended periods of time can cause or aggravate TMD.
• Illnesses. Other health problems that coexist with TMJ disorders, such as chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disturbances, or fibromyalgia.
• Injuries. Just like other joints in your body, the TMJ can be injured which may lead to TMD.;
• Changes to your mental health, such as stress, anxiety, or depression. When you are anxious, depressed, or stressed out, you may unknowingly tense up, clench your jaw, and even grind and gnash your teeth at night . This puts extra pressure on your hard-working TMJs, resulting in over-use which can lead to pain and tenderness in the area and the joint itself.

Frequent Headaches Or Migraines

Waking up with a migraine or headache every morning is not normal and is usually a sign that something else is going on. One of the causes of frequent headaches and migraines is actually TMD. In fact, nearly 40% of patients diagnosed with TMD suffer from frequent migraines and headaches. If you find yourself suffering from migraines and headaches several times a week, it might be a good idea to schedule an appointment with a TMJ dentist to receive an evaluation.

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Tinnitus Clogged Ears Or Ear Pain

Since the TM joint resides adjacent to the ears, its common to experience many TMJ symptoms in the ears. Patients can experience ear pain or clogged ears that they might pass off as an ear infection or allergies but is actually from TMD. TMD can also cause tinnitus . If your ears regularly have pain, stuffiness, or ringing, its best to get examined for TMJ.

What Causes Tmj Pain

In most patients, TMJ pain is a result of movement or displacement of the cartilage disc that causes pressure and stretches certain sensory nerves. Popping or clicking noises occur when the disk snaps into place when the jaw moves. In addition, the chewing muscles may spasm or not function efficiently, causing pain and tenderness. These actions or situations can also damage the TMJ:

• Major and minor trauma to the jaw
• Teeth grinding

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Do You Have An Ear Infection Or Is It Really Tmj

by Alan S. Berger, M.D. | Sep 15, 2014 | TMJ

At least once a day, someone comes into our offices complaining of ear pain. Most of our patients think that they have an ear infection based on assumption or becuase their primary care physician indicated as such. Some patients are indeed diagnosed with ear infections but it may come as a surprise that most ear pain has nothing wrong with the ears.

The most common cause of ear pain in an adult is the temporo-mandibular joint or TMJ. The temporo-mandibular joint is located extremely close to the ear canal and middle ear. The muscles that surround the temporo-mandibular joint and the fascia and ligaments that hold the bones in place are intricately connected with the ear and the nerve that supports the ear. Frequently the pain has persisted for several weeks and may even come and go. Very often, hearing hasnt been affected but there will be a stuffy or clogged feeling in the ear. Ear pain is often worse at night or in the morning. Some patients even tell us that their ear pain is worse when they chew or yawn.