Are you suffering from ear pain? Perhaps you’ve already seen a physician and they couldn’t find anything wrong with your ears. Ear pain can also be perplexing, with many people suffering from it without a clear cause. Today, we’ll discuss the link between a condition called TMJ and ear pain.
TMJ, Defined and Explained by Dr. Kelley Mingus in Bend, Oregon
Tmj stands for temporomandibular joint. This joint connects your jawbone with your skull, allowing you to talk, chew, and general spoke without difficulty. Tmj can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, teeth clenching during the night, or even an injury or an underlying condition. Tmj can cause a variety of symptoms, including facial pain, jaw joint pain, earaches, popping or clicking sounds, headaches, tinnitus, and even dizziness.
Tmj, Ear Pain, and Misdiagnosis
It’s important to mention that the connection between TMJ disorder and ear pain is often overlooked and misdiagnosed. It’s been suggested that as many as 50% of cases of ear pain are caused by TMJ disorder. It should be noted that TMJ and ear pain symptoms also resemble symptoms of other conditions, such as infections or wax build up in the ear, so it’s important to have a health professional evaluate and check you out.
How To Tell If Your TMJ is Triggering Your Ear Pain
If you’re concerned that your ear pain might be caused by TMJ disorder, the best way to determine if the problem is connected is to see a healthcare professional for an evaluation. Dr. Kelley Mingus in Bend, Oregon suggests a thorough patient history and a physical exam are the first steps in diagnosing TMJ disorder. If TMJ is confirmed, then a visit to the dentist might also be needed for further evaluation and treatment. A dentist can help adjust your bite as well as help find mouthguards to help you stop clenching your teeth at night.
Treating TMJ-Related Ear Pain
Tmj disorder is generally treated with a variety of different methods. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you might be advised to follow the RICE protocol, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Applying warm, moist heat, and gentle massage can also help ease pain in the area. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also help in the short term. In some cases, a prescription might be needed for more severe pain.
Conclusion
Tmj disorder can often be the cause of ear pain, as the jaw joint and muscles can be connected to the inner ear. If you’re suffering from ear pain that doesn’t seem to have an overt cause, it’s important to see a healthcare provider who can evaluate you and check for TMJ disorder. Dr. Kelley Mingus in Bend, Oregon and his staff understand the importance of thorough evaluation and treatment for TMJ disorder and can help finding the treatment methods that are best for you.
