Sinus Infection & Temperomandibular Joint Pain

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is critical for eating, talking and chewing. When it is overused or stressed, symptoms including pain can appear. These might be mistaken for sinus problems. Also sinus infections aggravate TMJ problems.

Temporomandibular Joint

• The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the jaw to the skull and is positioned in front of each ear. To protect the bones from rubbing against each other, there is a layer of cartilage.

Sinuses

• You have four sets of sinuses for a total of eight. The frontal ones are on either side of the forehead. The maxillary sinuses are at the back of your cheekbones. In between your eyes, you have ethmoid sinuses. Finally, behind your eyes, deep in the skull, are the sphenoid sinuses. You can get a sinus infection in any of these.

TMJ Pain

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain can be the result of jaw damage or injury, excessive chewing, stress, misaligned teeth, hormone imbalance, tooth grinding and more. The pain may feel like a dull ache or a sharp sensation that is aggravated by swallowing or chewing. You may hear a popping or cracking sound with jaw movement.

Sinus Infection

• Inflamed sinuses mean sinus infection. You can have an acute or chronic infection caused by a virus or bacteria. Acute infections are gone within four weeks while chronic ones last longer, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms include headache, post nasal drip, mucus, cough, facial pain, fever, smelly breath, fatigue and more.

Sinus Infection and TMJ Pain

• Sinus infections can put pressure on ears or facial bones mimicking TMJ symptoms, according to Dr. Janet Rogers and Julie Freeman, MSPT. Both conditions can cause headaches, earaches and fatigue. Sinuses are situated close to the TMJ making a diagnosis of one or the other difficult. Finally, TMJ may be brought on by an infection like sinusitis.