Why Does My Jaw Hurt
When you are experiencing pain in your jaw most people attribute it to TMD, or Temporomandibular Disorder. While this disorder is a cause for a lot of jaw problems, it is not always the cause of jaw pain. In fact, jaw pain can be a symptom of many serious health issues and should be examined by a professional if it lasts for more than 24 hours or is very severe. In any case, you should never ignore it. Your jaw or tooth pain could be telling you something, and you want to seek treatment before it becomes a more significant issue.
Home Remedies For Ear And Jaw Pain
Severe or chronic jaw pain requires medical attention and treatment. But some at-home remedies can manage minor jaw or ear pain. They include:
- OTC pain or anti-inflammatory medications
- Applying a warm compress or wrapped ice pack to the area
- Massaging the jaw or around the ears
- OTC muscle relaxants
- Nasal saline or decongestant sprays
- Antihistamines
- Reducing or managing stress and anxiety
- Limiting jaw use
- Discolored discharge from the nose, mouth, or ears
- Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
What You Can Do If You Have Ear And Jaw Pain
First of all, you must go to the specialist doctor to rule out any problem in the ear. Once you have ruled out that the otalgia is of primary origin, go to the most appropriate specialist.
In such a situation, if it is both a temporomandibular disorder and a cervical disorder, physiotherapy is the way to go. It is unknown if a physiotherapist can act in these cases due to their lack of knowledge about the origin of this condition.
However, it seems logical to think that, if the origin of the problem is cervical or temporomandibular, the evaluation and treatment of physiotherapy can be the cornerstone to deal with this pathology.
Recommended Reading: Does Vicks Help Stuffy Nose
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.
What Are The Treatment Options For Tmd
Treatment for disorders of the TMJs varies and depends on the cause of your case and how severe it is. For mild cases, self-care remedies to reduce soreness and tension in the joint may help. These remedies include:
- Eating soft foods
- Exercises designed to help your jaw muscles relax
- Avoiding chewing gum and very chewy foods
- Alternating moist heat and ice on the jaw to bring relief
- Avoid clenching or tensing your jaw
- Apply moist heat to the area
Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen and muscle relaxants can also help relieve uncomfortable TMD symptoms.
But, for long-term relief, we recommend that you talk to us about your treatment options. In many cases, we can help relieve your TMJ pain with an oral appliance that can help correct problems with the upper and lower teeth, which is often the cause of issues with the TMJs.
Are you experiencing unexplained ear pain, ringing in the ears or spells of dizziness? If your earache is a sign of TMJ disorder, the good news is that we can help.
Read Also: Burning In Throat And Chest
Get Tmj Treatment In Independence Mo
Now that you know about some of the biggest symptoms of TMJ disorders, you can contact our TMJ dentists in Lees Summit for an evaluation if you notice any symptoms. Please call today to schedule a consultation for TMJ treatment. If we do diagnose you, we will create a custom treatment plan to help you manage your symptoms.
How The Ear Is Connected To The Jaw
Ears are dynamic organs, theyre controlled by muscles just like the rest of the face. One way to demonstrate this is to place your finger firmly inside of your ear and thenwidely open and close your jaw. Do you feel the movement? When one is on an airplane and an uncomfortable level of pressure builds up inside the ears eustachian tubes, passengersoften reach for a stick of gum. This is because the act of moving the jaw muscles can help relieve the ear pressure build-up.
Don’t Miss: Best Glasses For Big Nose
Watch For Obvious Symptoms Of Sinusitis
Sinusitis comes with some fairly obvious symptoms that should give it away. If you experience any of the following, its likely that you have a sinus infection:
- Facial congestion
- Discharge from the nose that is thick and discolored
- Changes in taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Upset stomach
These symptoms develop as a result of the collection of mucus in the nose and sinuses. This thick mucus will clog your nose and may ooze out either forward through the nose or backward in the throat. It changes your sense of taste and smell because your nostrils are clogged and mucus is seeping into your mouth. This can also irritate your throat and lead to an upset stomach.
Also Check: Can Sore Throat Cause Sinus Infection
What Causes Ear Jaw And Neck Pain
Do you suffer from ear, jaw, and neck pain issues? When you eat or talk, have you ever heard any popping or clicking sounds coming from your jaw joints? Most people believe that these are only temporary symptoms and it is nothing to worry about. Still, these symptoms should not be ignored or taken lightly.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Redness Under Nose
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.
Can Tmj Cause Sinus Problems
While TMJ wont cause sinus problems, the symptoms of existing sinus problems can make TMJD worse. Nasal congestion and bruxism can trigger snoring and restless sleep. Sinusitis can cause breathing problems because of congestion, leading you to breathe with your mouth open. This pulls the jaw out of its natural resting position, which can stress the jaw and contribute to bruxism, or teeth grinding. Sinus issues like allergies can also cause sneezing, an action that can cause your jaw to click or pop, or even dislocate entirely.
Recommended Reading: Advil Sinus Congestion And Pain How Often
Recommended Reading: Ear Piercing That Helps Migraines
What Is Jaw Pain
Jaw pain can be an aching or sharp pain that may affect your ability to eat and speak. When severe, jaw pain can be an extremely debilitating condition.
Jaw pain can be caused from tension in your jaw or from chronic conditions like temporomandibular joint disorder.
But conditions that affect different parts of the face like the sinuses, ears, and teeth, can also cause jaw pain.
When To See A Healthcare Provider
The causes above may not be the only reasons for jaw pain. Other factors or underlining issues may have an influence. This is why it’s important to seek a proper diagnosis from a healthcare provider, such as a physician or dentist.
While most causes of jaw pain are not related to medical emergencies like a heart attack, if your discomfort is severe and/or prolonged, or if your pain is associated with symptoms like trouble breathing, chest pain, sweating, or dizziness, be sure to seek immediate medical attention.
Read Also: Ear Nose Throat Doctor Houston
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.
Treatment For Earache And Jaw Pain Atanderson Chiropractic
Whenyou make your list of the most agonizing symptoms you can experience,both ear pain and jaw pain might make it to the top of that list. Thesharp, stabbing pain of an earache can be almost as debilitating asjaw pain that makes chewing or talking difficult. To add insult toinjury, people can experience both of these symptomsat the same time, and for the same underlying reason. Here atAnderson Chiropractic, our McMurray chiropractor can relieve you ofboth symptoms without surgery.
Read Also: How Does Your Nose Get Stuffy
What Are The Tmjs
As we said, the TMJs are the joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull at the temporal bone. The TMJs are made up of the bones and cartilage of the joint and a small cartilage disk inside the joint.
When the TMJs become worn or the disk in the joint becomes damaged or out of alignment, the results can be painful.
What Is The Cause Of My Jaw Pain
Related questions
Found in:
People also asked
Also Check: Wilmington Ear Nose And Throat
How To Treat Ear Pain
The conservative treatment for ear pain caused by temporo-mandibular joint disorder is very simple. First, we recommend a soft diet which means no heavy chewing of foods such as raw fruits and vegetables, hard-crusted bread or tough meat. We recommend soft foods such as noodles, scrambled eggs, well-cooked meat and vegetables to reduce the strain on the jaw joint during eating. Of course, we recommend no chewing of gum or other recreational chewing. We recommend the application of warm packs a couple of times a day to help relax some of the musculature in that area. We also recommend prescription-strength anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen around-the-clock for about a week to reduce the inflammation in that area. These measures should help resolve the TMJ flare. Also helpful is the use of a mouthguard or bite plate, especially during sleep. Mouthguards relieve stress from the joint and our TMJ patients have reported instant relief after use. Mouthguards are available over-the-counter and are quite affordable. There are custom bite plates as well that your dentist can make for you which are much more expensive but also more clinically effective.
Other common causes of ear pain are swimmers ear or excessive wax impaction which are disorders of the ear canal. Also, less common in adults is otitis media which is an infection of the middle ear. This is the same kind of ear infection that babies and young children often get.
Research & Publications
Can An Ear Infection Cause Jaw Pain What To Know
Ear infections are the usual reasons for earaches and ear pain. Sometimes, the pain may spread to other parts near the ear. So, can an ear infection cause jaw pain? In fact, many conditions can cause pain in both your jaw and ears at the same time. A typical example is a temporomandibular joint disorder. If your jaw hurts regularly, it might be good to check in at a dental clinic for the TMJ test. Check out this clinic at www.infinitydentalcare.com.au.
Ear infections are the usual reasons for earaches and ear pain. Sometimes, the pain may spread to other parts near the ear. So, can an ear infection cause jaw pain? In fact, many conditions can cause pain in both your jaw and ears at the same time. A typical example is a temporomandibular joint disorder. If your jaw hurts regularly, it might be good to check in at a dental clinic for the TMJ test. Check out this clinic at www.infinitydentalcare.com.au.
You May Like: Ear Buds For Hearing Aids
What Is Causing My Ear And Jaw Pain
Have you been experiencing pain in your ear or jaw? This pain can present as a mild ache, but it can also cause intense pain. Unfortunately, though, there are a number of conditions that can be contributing to your ear and jaw painfrom infections and injuries to joint problems. To help you get a better
Have you been experiencing pain in your ear or jaw? This pain can present as a mild ache, but it can also cause intense pain. Unfortunately, though, there are a number of conditions that can be contributing to your ear and jaw painfrom infections and injuries to joint problems. To help you get a better understanding about ear and jaw pain, lets take a look at some of the most common causes.
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.
Recommended Reading: Best Antibiotic For Throat Infection
How Is A Bone Infection In Jaw Diagnosed
The dentist will examine the jaw for signs and symptoms of osteomyelitis, including swelling and tenderness. He/she may inquire regarding recent medical history, focusing majorly on any recent operations, accidents, and infections.
The diagnosis tests include
The presence of a high amount of white blood cells generally points out infection.
2. Biopsy
The dentist may take a small piece of tissue to diagnose which type of pathogen- fungi or bacteria is leading to jawbone infection, doing so will aid in finding an appropriate treatment.
3. Imaging Tests
An MRI, x-ray, CT scan may also be done to look for clearly pointed damages and causes.
Usually, whatever the tests are conducted to know the bone infections in other parts of the body the same are done for jawbone infections.
The Importance Of Having Ear And Jaw Pain Evaluated
All injuries that result from a car crash should be evaluated as soon as possible, and not all serious conditions will display signs immediately. Therefore, it is important to begin seeking treatment immediately so that you can identify any dangerous issues and begin your general or whiplash treatment early.
How long should you wait to go to the doctor after an accident? Well, jaw pain, ear pain, trouble with chewing or swallowing, ringing in the ears, headaches, or any similar conditions should be brought up to your medical provider as soon as you notice they are an issue to rule out any serious conditions.
If you are experiencing these problems or are in need of other services after a car accident, AICA Orthopedics offers a range of specialists and treatment plans. Whether you are seeking whiplash treatment, a full evaluation after an accident, or help with jaw and ear pain, AICA Orthopedics is prepared to help. We specialize in car accident victims, building personalized plans with a multidisciplinary approach to recovery.
Read Also: Eyes Ears Nose Throat Doctor
Can Your Nasal Sinuses Affect Your Teeth
There is a definite relationship between your sinuses and teeth. This is easy to appreciate when you think about the fact that as we breathe air in through our nose, it travels through our nasal passages and hollow air filled cavities located behind the nose and cheekbones, which are also located directly above the upper jaw bone .
Under certain circumstances, a direct correlation can exist between a sinus infection and a toothache. Occasionally, unexplained tooth pain may be a symptom of a sinus infection, or sinusitis, typically caused by allergies or bacteria. This relationship also works the other way, as a sinus infection may be caused by an oral infection in the maxillary teeth, the ones in the upper-back part of the mouth.
Maxillary sinusitis pain can be felt throughout the jaw and upper row of teeth, as well as around the cheeks and eyes. Despite the close relationship between a sinus infection and toothaches, there are ways to determine if the pain is sinus related or dental related.