Menu Phone
Phone: 504-885-8869 Main Site Pen Icon Reviews: GoogleFacebook

Is It TMJ or an Ear Infection?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Does your ear hurt and feel full and you think it might be related to TMJ? How can you determine the real cause of your symptoms?

What Is TMJ?

TMJ has is an acronym that is commonly used to describe dysfunction with the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw (mandible) to the bone on the side of your head (temporal).

close up of temporomadibular joint
TMJ disorder can cause ear pain

There are many signs and symptoms associated with TMJ. And you don’t have to experience them all to have a TMJ disorder. You might be experiencing one or more of the following signs or symptoms:

  • Pain in or around your ear
  • Chronic headaches
  • Chronic earaches
  • Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)
  • Chronic neck pain
  • Difficulty opening and closing your mouth
  • Clicking or popping noises when you open your mouth
  • Jaw clenching
  • Jaw pain or soreness that is worse in the morning or late afternoon
  • Jaw pain when you chew, bite or yawn
  • Tender jaw muscles
  • Sensitivity in your teeth
  • Bruxism (grinding your teeth)

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of an Ear Infection?

Although you may not be experiencing all of them, common signs and symptoms of an ear infection in adults include:

  • Ear pain
  • Fluid draining from the ear
  • Impaired hearing
  • Fullness in the ear
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • In severe cases, a stiff neck and/or fever

If you think you have TMJ, schedule an appointment with a dentist who has advanced training in the disorder. He or she will examine your teeth, jaw, and bite to make the determination.

How Will It Be Treated?

  • If you have TMJ, a customized mouthguard will be recommended for you to wear while you sleep. It will relax your jaw and prevent bruxism, which is often related to TMJ.
  • Relaxation and jaw exercises might be recommended to help relax the muscles.
  • It can also help to alternately apply hot and cold packs to the side of your face where the muscles are sore.

What If Your Symptoms Don’t Match TMJ?

Even if you don’t think you have TMJ, chronic ear pain should not be ignored. An untreated infection can spread and permanently affect your hearing and balance. You should schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor. If necessary he or she will refer you to a specialist.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Duane Delaune of Delaune Dental in New Orleans.

Botox is good for wrinkles, but what about for TMJ pain/migraines?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’ve been dealing with TMJ for many years and also many treatments that never seem to work. I was just about at my wits end when I read some information about Botox being used successfully to treat myofascial pain and migraines caused by TMJ. And of course, I can’t help but consider the cosmetic benefits, too. Can any dentist administer Botox, and if not, how do find someone who can? — Chonda

Chonda,
If you suffer from TMJ pain and/or migraines, Botox has been found to relax the masseter and/or temporalis muscles. It must be placed in several spots in the belly of the muscles and if done correctly, you will notice a difference pretty quickly. It’s important that any TMJ treatment be done by a TMJ specialist — a maxillofacial surgeon, oral surgeon, or general dentist with an extensive background in TMJ. They will be able to assess your bite, understand the underlying causes of your TMJ and they might even have experience with injecting Botox. If not, ask if they work closely with a professional that does. It’s extremely important to do your research before making any sort of decision to move forward. Find out if your provider does this type of treatment, how many patients per month, and what the outcomes were. Best of luck!

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Could molar pain be TMJ?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I have never had a cavity before in my life, but I do grind my teeth at night. I was just at the dentist for a regular check-up three months ago and he said everything was good. This past week or so, my back teeth have started having intermittent pain that goes away after a few seconds. I was telling my co-worker about it and she said she had to go see a TMJ specialist for something similar. Could it really be TMJ and not just a cavity? Should I try and find a TMJ specialist or go back to my regular dentist first and have him check to see if I have a cavity? — Darrin

Darrin,
Because the pain is all over, or generalized in the back of your mouth, it’s probably not a cavity. You’ll need an exam and probably some x-rays to help determine whether you need a TMJ specialist or not. It’s troubling that your nighttime grinding hasn’t been addressed by your general dentist because that can cause some serious damage. Your teeth will likely wear down and they can become loose, cracked, or broken — all from the trauma and pressure of grinding. The fix for this is usually pretty easy. Either a TMJ specialist or your regular dentist, can have a night guard custom made for you. If it is the grinding that’s causing it, the night guard should do the trick.

With that said, it’s not possible to give a definitive answer on this without more information. It could be some kind of referred pain, which would cause issues all over. It could also be a periodontal condition, or any number of other things. Rather than starting off with a TMJ specialist, you can probably see your general dentist for this, though if you can find a professional who is skilled at both general dentistry and TMJ issues, that may be the best way to go.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Is there an over-the-counter fix for TMJ?

Posted on by smiles4u.

My mom and dad have both recently suffered some major medical issues that have caused a lot of stress both physically and financially for our family. There’s just not a lot of extra money right now. I have TMJ and all the stress has caused a flare-up and I literally can’t open my mouth. My jaw has been locked for several weeks. I’m in so much pain! I’ve seen those mouth appliances you can buy at the drug store for about $20. Would one of them help? — Sasha

Dear Sasha,
Sorry to hear that you’re going through so much right now. Hopefully things will get better from here on out. As for the TMJ, there are a couple of things you can try at home to help with the inflammation:

  1. Alternate between heat and ice packs (for about 10 minutes at a time) on your jaw joints
  2. Take 800mg of Ibuprofen three times a day

If the dentist is simply out of the question right now, try the store-bought mouth guard as it will be better than doing nothing. If you’re grinding your teeth a lot, just be careful and check that you’re not wearing it through. Hopefully, though, it will help protect your teeth for now. They come in small, medium, large or one-size-fits-all, but regardless of what you buy, keep in mind that it won’t be a perfect fit since it’s not custom made.

For moderate to severe temporomandibular joint dysfunction like you are experiencing, a custom night guard made by your dentist is really the best way to go. If you have dental insurance they may cover all or even a portion of the cost. Make a call and find out. Another option would be to see if your dentist offers CareCredit. It’s a no-interest medical card you can apply for if you don’t have insurance, but have adequate credit. Check into both of these options since your TMJ is fairly severe – it will be worth it in the end if you can get a custom-fit appliance and get this flare-up under control.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Dentist says I need an Anterior Repositioning Splint… what is it?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’ve been seeing a dentist for jaw pain and at my last appointment he mentioned fitting me for an Anterior Repositioning Splint. He didn’t really tell me much about it or how it will help me. Is it made out of plastic and is it very big? What will it do? — Jeremiah

Jeremiah,
Dentists often prescribe an anterior repositioning splint (ARS) to re-position or realign the condyles (in basic terms, the condyles are the hinge of the jaw). It treats disc displacement by helping place your jaw joints into a more normal position. If you experience clicks or lock jaw, the ARS will allow your lower jaw and temporomandibular joints to move into a position that reduce those symptoms.

The splint is made of acrylic and typically worn all the time for several months. It can affect speech if it’s worn on your top arch, but the good news is that if you can get through the 3-4 months, your jaw should be in the correct position and you can stop wearing it. The ARS will help your muscles and ligaments relax so you should also see a reduction in grinding or clenching. This type of appliance should only be used for the amount of time recommended by your dentist as it could cause changes to your bite if worn too long.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Does pregnancy make TMJ worse?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’ve been a TMJ sufferer for many years. After numerous doctors and treatments I felt I had the pain management under control. Now, I am pregnant and I’m having constant TMJ pain. Does pregnancy make TMJ worse? — Amy in Texas

Amy,
Dealing with TMJ is tough, especially during pregnancy. Women with preexisting pain conditions like temporomandibular joint disorder often report experiencing more pain flare-ups during pregnancy. While a specific link between pregnancy and TMJ hasn’t been found there are some possible causes of increased pain during pregnancy. Pregnancy is usually a happy time, however, anyone who has been pregnant knows that pregnancy automatically comes with increased stress — which leads to clenching and grinding of teeth, and that can cause headaches, jaw pain, and tooth damage. In addition, your body drains resources to nourish the baby. A large amount of vitamins and minerals go to the baby’s development, which could make mom deficient. Certain mineral deficiencies such as calcium and magnesium can cause TMJ flare ups. That’s why its even more important to eat right and take your prenatal vitamins. Another reason you may experience extra TMJ pain during pregnancy is the ever changing center of gravity. As your body grows and expands, your body may adapt by changing your posture. Posture changes can definitely be related to increased TMJ pain.

You may find your TMJ pain decreases after the baby is born, or even as your pregnancy progresses and your body adapts. Both ice and heat work well at home. Massages can be useful for temporary and transitory TMJ. If home care doesn’t help alleviate some discomfort, make sure you make an appointment with your dentist.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Insurance coverage for TMJ treatment

Posted on by smiles4u.

Is a TMJ specialist covered by my insurance?  — Marcus

Marcus,
When you’re in pain, it’s unfortunate that most of us have to worry about how cost will dictate a method of treatment, or if you even decide to get specialized treatment. If it was simple, we would all just be able to see who we want and be on the road to a pain free life. But, it’s not that simple.  And, if you have seen many TMJ “specialists” in the past, it’s important to remember that while those doctors may market themselves that way, there really is not a true, recognized TMJ specialty.

There are many types of recommended treatment. Conservative methods such as relaxation techniques, medications, or night guards are more common with many dentists and much more widely accepted when it comes to insurance (night guards are covered with a report by the dentist saying it’s for Bruxism, or grinding). On the other end of the spectrum, there are dentists who call themselves “neuromuscular dentists” (usually LVI trained) who skip the night guard all together and go for Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) which uses a low-level electrical current to relax facial muscles in combination with an orthotic device to find the optimal position for your jaw, by detecting your malocclusion and then making a treatment plan to correct your bite. Plan to pay out of pocket a least a few thousand dollars for this because it is not a covered benefit. Then there is bite correction. Crowns, composites, and possibly orthodontics can be recommended for that. You’ll pay at least 50% of crown work and orthodontics, if you have coverage for that.

Always check your coverage before undergoing any TMJ treatment because most insurance plans do not have TMJ coverage. Paying more doesn’t always mean that you will get better results, so first try more conservative treatments and make some changes in your diet, exercise and stress relief. All those things can make a measurable difference and you definitely don’t need insurance for that.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Is tooth pain caused from grinding my teeth or something else?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’m a teeth grinder at night. I’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember, but up until now everything has been fine with my teeth (at my check-up and cleaning several months ago there were no issues).  But something has changed in the last month or so and I am noticing a dull pain (almost like a pulling sensation) in my lower back teeth. It doesn’t last for long periods of time, but it comes and goes on both sides. I thought maybe it could be a cavity, but I’ve never had one before so don’t know what kind of pain is associated with them. I am also concerned that it could it be related to grinding and clenching my teeth? What should I do?  — Marissa

Marissa,
If you grind your teeth, everything is not fine. It’s hard to say what exactly is causing this pain you are experiencing without seeing x-rays or examining your mouth. What is concerning is it sounds like your recent check-up and examination with your dentist may not have been very thorough. Unfortunately, there are many dentists who are just looking for the obvious issues like cavities, fillings, etc. There are other important things they should be looking for during this examination such as TMJ symptoms or periodontal disease.

As for the pain you are experiencing, it does not seem consistent with a cavity. It could be from gum disease or a result of your teeth grinding. But to be sure, you need to get a proper diagnosis. If it’s grinding, you could get a night guard. If it’s something more serious, you need to start treatment right away.  A second opinion from someone other than your regular dentist might be in order.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Are numb fingers a symptom of TMJ?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I grind my teeth and I know that it is the main reason for most of my TMJ problems. I’ve had symptoms such as facial pain, stiff jaw, and ringing in my ear, so I sought treatment and did splint therapy to help. Recently, I’ve noticed numbness or a “pins and needles” feeling in a few fingers – almost as if they are asleep. Someone told me that is another symptom of TMJ, but I guess I don’t get how they are connected. Right now, I have literally no TMJ pain. Are my numb fingers a new symptom? — Mike in Florida

Dear Mike,
What you are experiencing with your fingers could no doubt be connected to your TMJ and about half of all TMJ patients also experience it. You may be wondering how it is connected, but think about it… when your bite is misaligned (as in the case of a TMJ patient), your muscles can spasm. A misaligned jaw can cause problems down through all your extremities because all of our muscles are connected. When you have spasms in your face, shoulders, or neck from TMJ, it can pinch nerves and affect the arms and fingers periodically with sensations of numbness or tingling. This can happen even if you are not experiencing any of your other normal TMJ symptoms. You should make an appointment you’re your doctor to discuss this new symptom so he can evaluate your situation.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Can Invisalign cause TMJ?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I am well into my Invisalign treatment. Since starting my sixth tray, I’ve been having severe headaches as well as pain in my jaw and the side  of my face. I’ve also noticed that I can’t open my mouth all the way. Could I have developed TMJ and do you think Invisalign is what is causing it?  — Sarah in Arkansas

Sarah,
TMJ can be caused by several things (genetics, bad habits or bite problems, etc). TMJ dysfunction can result from teeth movement if the TMJ’s are not functioning properly to begin with,  however, Invisalign treatment or orthodontics in general is probably not a main cause of the disorder. Talk with your dentist about what you are experiencing because he will probably want to stop treatment and focus on trying to determine what is causing the discomfort and also re-evaluate if you should continue with the Invisalign treatment. Because Invisalign changes your bite, it could be making the TMJ dysfunction worse and that is why the manufacturers of Invisalign have strict recommendations when it comes to TMD patients. While the aligners may not be specifically “causing” TMJ, it may be bringing an issue to the forefront that your dentist did not know about or diagnose before starting your treatment. It’s important to address the TMD first before continuing on with Invisalign.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.