Jaw Popping And Pain: Should You Be Worried

Luckily for those suffering from jaw popping and pain, there are many treatment options available and the prognosis is good. The treatment will depend on the associated cause for the problem, therefore, it is important that you consult with an expert about the cause so it can be treated accordingly.

There are a variety of home treatments that you can try to relieve pain associated with jaw popping. Here are some of those:

• Take OTC medications to relieve pain .
• Apply an ice pack to the area for about 15 minutes and then follow with a heat pack. Do this several times during the day.
• Refrain from eating hard or crunchy food that can put more pressure on your jaws.
• Use relaxation techniques for the jaw to ease tension and pressure.
• Avoid overextending the jaw, such as opening it too wide or yawning too wide.
• Physical therapy can provide relief from pain associated with jaw popping. You can seek the help of a physical therapist for this so they can recommend the ideal treatment plan for you.

Jaw popping and pain is mostly temporary. However, you should not take it lightly and still consult with an expert just in case it is an indicator of a more serious problem. When you have this problem, it will typically require some lifestyle changes along with a few home treatments .

• BDS, MBBS, MMED

• Masters in Sleep Medicine
• General, Implant and Cosmetic Dentist
• Certified in TMJ & Craniofacial Pain Management

• Sydney Centre for TMJ & Sleep Therapy403/307 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000

What Is Jaw Popping

As mentioned above, jaw popping is when you hear a in your jaw joints when you perform usual movements involving the jaw . The presence of a painful sensation is caused by a dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint known as TMJ.

These joints, there is one on each side, help connect the jawbone to the skull. This hinge action enables you to perform basic tasks with your jaw such as chew, eat, or talk. When there is a dysfunction in these joints, it results in that popping sound and pain, to some extent.

Jaw popping is manifested with a variety of symptoms such as pain and discomfort in the jaw area, difficulty opening your mouth wide, locking or stiffness of the jaw, difficulty eating, pain when yawning, ear aches, and headaches, to name a few.

Signs And Symptoms Of Tmd

Some people with TMD hear a clicking, popping or grating sound coming from the TMJ when opening or closing the mouth. This is usually caused by a shifting of the disk inside the joint. Someone standing next to you might even be able to hear it. Clicking by itself is actually not a significant symptom because one third of all people have jaw joints that click, studies show. However, if the clicking is accompanied by pain or limited jaw function the jaw getting stuck in an open or closed position, for example this would indicate TMD.

Muscle Pain This can be felt in the cheeks and temples , where the two big pairs of jaw-closing muscles are located. If you feel soreness and stiffness upon waking up in the morning, it’s often related to habits such as clenching and/or grinding the teeth at night. If you have this type of nocturnal habit, we can have a nightguard custom-made for you that should be very helpful in decreasing the force applied to your teeth, which will in turn allow your muscles to relax and relieve pressure on your jaw joints. Other self-care remedies are discussed below .

Also Check: Femoral Stem Pain After Hip Replacement

Overuse Putting Pressure On The Tmj

The TMJ is one of the hardest-working joints in your body. You use it to talk, eat and drink, yawn, and even when you open your mouth to breathe or sigh. Overuse and subtle muscle spasms caused by teeth grinding and clenching, and repetitive actions such as chewing gum, puts extra pressure on the TMJ. This may result in inflammation and swelling. Pain and tenderness in the TMJ due to overuse can radiate to surrounding tissues, including the ears.

Fast Facts On Jaw Popping:

• Jaw popping without accompanying pain is not typically a cause for concern.
• If certain health conditions underlie the popping, medical intervention may be needed.
• The cause of jaw popping is not completely understood.
• Jaw popping can often be treated at home, especially if there is no pain or other symptoms.

Jaw popping may be the only symptom experienced. However, TMD can often cause other symptoms as well, including:

• pain and discomfort

• changes in mood

Also Check: How Long Does C-section Pain Last

Myofascial Pain Syndrome And Tmj

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic pain disorder that occurs when a muscle is contracted over and over again, causing pain in the trigger points of your jaw and facial region. When you have these trigger points you may experience pain and popping in the jaw and other symptoms including:

• Pain that worsens with straining or stretching your jaw
• A reduced range of motion
• Sleep disruptions
• Pain that doesnt get better within a week

Tmj Can Cause More Than Ear And Jaw Pain

TMJ is not limited to ear pain and jaw pain. Since the movement of the jaw is intricate, many additional symptoms can be triggered by TMJ dysfunction. Such symptoms can include headaches or migraines, jaw popping, clicking, or grinding sounds with any jaw movement. Some may experience lock jaw with the jaw wide open or impair it from opening.

Don’t Miss: Severe Tooth Pain After Filling

Ear Infection Or Tmj Related Ear Pain

To properly diagnose whether your ear pain is the result of an infection or TMJ disorder-related, you should consult a medical professional. However, be aware there are some important differences between the two types of pain.TMJ-related ear pain is most often felt in front of or below the ear. With ear infections, the pain is often inside the ear. If the pain sharpens when you move your mouth, this may also indicate a TMJ disorder is resulting in ear pain. Also, check for the TMJ disorder symptoms below, or see our TMJ disorder symptoms page.Often, its best to first rule out ear infections. A quick visual inspection is usually enough to diagnose these infections. With TMJ disorders, the most effective way to diagnose a problem is with a Cone Beam CT Scan, which produces a 3-D image of your jaw joint, combined with a physical examination of a doctor experienced in orofacial pain and TMD.

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.

You May Like: Heart Tests For Chest Pain

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.

What Are The Temporomandibular Joints

The temporomandibular joints are the 2 joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull. More specifically, they are the joints that slide and rotate in front of each ear, and consist of the mandible and the temporal bone . The TMJs are among the most complex joints in the body. These joints, along with several muscles, allow the mandible to move up and down, side to side, and forward and back. When the mandible and the joints are properly aligned, smooth muscle actions, such as chewing, talking, yawning, and swallowing, can take place. When these structures are not aligned, nor synchronized in movement, several problems may occur.

Don’t Miss: How To Stop Wisdom Tooth Pain

Dont Put Tinnitus Treatment Off Any Longer

You may think that ear ringing or occasional ear pain is just a simple annoyance. But thats really not true not if you look at your symptoms as part of a bigger concern thats happening to your body

TMJ patients with ringing in their ears often experience pain of one sort or another. They may have earaches, migraines, or shoulder tension. And none of that falls under the category of simply annoying.

These symptoms of TMJ disorder can affect your daily life. Even if you dont have any painful symptoms now, that doesnt mean you wont get them in the future.

Save yourself a lot of pain and frustration by getting treatment from my Mount Prospect dentist office. Well create a TMJ treatment plan that will provide you with relief and prevent further damage down the road.

Do you think you might have TMJ Disorder? Here at the Meyer Dental Group we believe that TMJ sufferers should get a proper diagnosis from their a dentist. Book a TMJ consultation or fill out my free TMJ Pain Questionnaire. Youll get a response with my recommendations for treatment and relief.

Dr. Tom Meyer DDS TMJ Chicago dentist, dentist Mount Prospect

What Are The Symptoms Of Tmj Pain

Common symptoms of TMJ pain may include:

• Difficulty in opening the mouth fully
• Frequent head and/or neck aches
• Ringing in the ears

Your pain may be sharp and searing, occurring each time you swallow, yawn, talk, or chew, or it may be dull and constant. It hurts over the joint, immediately in front of the ear, but pain can also radiate elsewhere. It often causes spasms in the adjacent muscles attached to the bones of the skull, face, and jaws. Pain can also be felt at the side of the head , the cheek, the lower jaw, and the teeth.

A common focus of pain is in the ear. Many patients see an ENT specialist, or otolaryngologist, convinced that their pain is from an ear infection. When the earache is not associated with a hearing loss and the eardrum looks normal, the ENT specialist will consider the possibility that the pain comes from TMJ.

css id:

You May Like: Upper Abdomen Pain Before Period

Jaw Pain Can Contribute To Problems Throughout The Body

If you thought TMJ disorder only affects the head and neck think again.

It affects the entire body.

If you think about it, the way our body is connected from our head to our toes is a beautiful thing. It allows for harmony and fluidity of movement. But the slightest imbalance in your jaws can result in tinnitus, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and jaw pain.

When Should Someone Seek Medical Care For Tmj

Occasional pain in the jaw joint or chewing muscles is common and may not be a cause for concern. See a doctor if your pain is severe or if it does not go away. You should also see your health-care professional if it hurts to open and close the jaw or if you have difficulty swallowing food. Treatment for TMJ syndrome ideally should begin when it is in the early stages. If the condition is identified early, the doctor can explain the functioning of the joints and how to avoid any action or habit that might aggravate the joint or facial pain.

If your jaw is locked open or closed, go to a hospital’s emergency department.

• The open locked jaw is treated by sedating you to a comfortable level. Then the mandible is held with the thumbs while the lower jaw is pushed downward, forward, and backward. This maneuver is usually done by the Emergency Department physician or an ear, nose, and throat specialist.
• The closed locked jaw is also treated by sedating you until you are completely relaxed. Then the mandible is gently manipulated until the mouth opens.

Don’t Miss: Lower Back Pain And Missed Period Negative Pregnancy Test

How Tmj Causes Ear Pain

By Tony Curtis, PT, August 17, 2022

Ear pain is miserable. Anyone who has experienced extreme discomfort in the ear canal is not likely to forget it any time soon.

Allergy testing is the first step any ear pain sufferer should consider. Middle ear infection is the most common cause of ear pain. However, believe it or not, many earaches are caused by jaw joint issues known as TMJ disorders.

While it seems counter-intuitive that jaw problems could cause ear pain, such pain is actually a common symptom of temporomandibular disorder .

What Is The Relationship Between Tmj And Ear Pain

Ear pain discomfort is extremely tough to deal with. It is not one of those things you can easily ignore. The pain can be on one side or both. A common cause of ear pain is TMJ disorder. TMJ is an acronym for the temporomandibular joint, commonly known as the joint where skull and jaw bone meet. This joint links the bone of your skull i.e. temporal bone to the lower jaw, namely mandible.

The movement of mouth, its opening, and closing, backward or sideways, is possible only because of this joint. Read on to know why the ear is affected by TMJ disorder, the reason for pain and what should be done for relief.

You May Like: When Should I Be Concerned About Eye Pain

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
• Reducing or managing stress and anxiety
• Limiting jaw use

• Discolored discharge from the nose, mouth, or ears
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing

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.

Don’t Miss: What Causes Chest Pain If Ecg Is Normal

What Causes Tmj Syndrome

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

Treatment For Ear Pain Associated With Tmj

Fortunately, it is possible to both diagnose and treat TMJ disorders. Its important to seek professional help if you are suffering from a TMD as the disorders are easy to misdiagnose and mistreat. Further, each TMD will require its own treatment plan. While cases may be similar, they are never identical. Lets look at some of the more effective types of treatments.

Home Exercises and Stretches for TMJ

There are a variety of home exercises and stretches that you can perform to strengthen your jaw and the connecting muscles. Over time, this could provide pain relief. One of the simple things you can do to relieve TMJ pain is practice holding your lips together while keeping your teeth separated. In this position, the TMJ isnt engaged. Stretching exercises such as those below also help with pain relief.

• Close your mouth. With your head facing straight ahead, glance to the right with your eyes only. Extend your lower jaw to the left and hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat on the opposite side.
• With your shoulders back, chest up, and jaw relaxed, pull your chin straight back, creating a double chin. Hold for three seconds and repeat 10 times.
• Touch your tongue to the roof of your mouth, then slowly open and close your mouth.
• Slowly open your mouth as wide as you comfortably can while holding your tongue in a neutral position. Hold in place for 5 to 10 seconds. Close your mouth then open it again slightly. Gently glide your jaw back and forth five to 10 times.

Don’t Miss: Can Std Cause Back Pain