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TMJ Ear Pain

Ear pain is one of many symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. The joint is located directly in front of the ears. Its dysfunction can also cause headaches, jaw pain and trouble opening or closing one's mouth. Problems with the TMJ are very common, and symptoms often go away even before treatment is administered. Stress and anxiety can lead to TMJ disorders (TMJDs).

  1. The Facts

    • The TMJ is the joint in front of the ear that connects the skull to the lower jawbone. There is one such joint on either side of the head. The joint allows the jaw to move up and down and side to side, as well as back and forth. The TMJ must accommodate the broad range of motion needed to eat, talk and make facial expressions.
      The TMJ Association (TMJA) estimates that 35 million people in the United States are affected by TMJDs. The Mayo Clinic puts the number between 5 percent and 15 percent of Americans.

    Symptoms

    • According to the Mayo Clinic, the following symptoms have been associated with TMJDs: Ear pain and aching around the ears; tenderness and pain in the jaw; difficulty or discomfort while chewing or biting; an uneven bite, due to premature contact between teeth; facial aches or pains; headaches; and locking of the TMJ, causing difficulty opening or closing one's mouth.

    Causes

    • The TMJA suggests not all causes of TMJDs are yet known, but it has identified these possible causes and related factors: dental procedures; some medical procedures, such as insertion of a feeding tube, which stretches the TMJ; previous facial or jaw injury; clenching or grinding of the teeth, often associated with stress or anxiety; arthritis; congenital facial deformities; autoimmune diseases; infections; and hormones.

    Prevention

    • There are practices the Mayo Clinic recommends before and after TMJDs have been diagnosed. Maintaining good "jaw posture," stretching and massaging your jaw muscles, applying ice or heat to the side of the face and minimizing use of the jaw muscles can help alleviate TMJ symptoms. A doctor might also recommend medication, behavioral therapy or a bite guard to relieve persistent symptoms. In rare cases, surgery to replace or repair the joint may be required.

    Considerations

    • According to the TMJA, TMJDs can cause pain in the ears, but the symptom could be any number of other disorders. The group claims earaches and toothaches often lead to misdiagnoses of TMJD.

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