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Understanding the TMJ Disorder: Ear Pain & Jaw Joint Pain
Your temporomandibular joint allows you to open and close your mouth, and you use it every time that you eat or talk. To locate it, put your finger on a spot right in front of your ear, and open your mouth wide. The TMJs are pivot points that receive a lot of stress. The joints and the muscles attached to them are in constant use. Stress increases with aggravation from clenching or grinding your teeth, a jaw injury or arthritis.
Recognizing the Symptoms
Your inherited bone structure is unique, and your symptoms may vary from those experienced by others who suffer from the TMJ/TMD. However, some symptoms that are common include these:
- popping or clicking sounds in the joints
- pain associated with biting or chewing
- pain in the face, jaws, or temple
- locking of the joints
- neck pain
- shoulder pain
- tenderness around the joint
- earache
- ringing in the ear
- headache
- fatigue of the chewing muscles
All of the above tend to be at their worst during times of acute mental or emotional stress because that is when you grind and clench your teeth the most, especially while sleeping.
TMD Treatment
In many cases with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, the occlusion (the way the upper and lower teeth bite together) may contribute significantly to this pain and discomfort – this where we can help the most. If you have been told that orthodontists do not treat TMD, that is because most orthodontists are not trained in this highly complex area. Dr. Karotkin has undergone extensive education on the diagnosis and TMJ Disorder treatment and has a wealth of experience with TMD cases, making him the top provider in Houston TMJ care.
After talking with you about your symptoms and a thorough exam, Dr. Karotkin carefully devises a treatment plan that can provide lasting relief.
TMD Treatment Made Easy by Advance Orthodontics, Call Today
Read our blog post about how bruxism – grinding your teeth – can cause jaw pain.