Are you experiencing pain in or around your ear? You could be dealing with an underlying dental problem, such as:
TMJ Disorder
Your TMJ (which stands for temporomandibular joint) lets your mouth open, close, and move side to side. When anything goes wrong with that joint, it’s called TMD or TMJ disorder. Because the TMJ is so close to your ear, inflammation and dysfunction of this joint can cause ear pain. Other symptoms of TMJ issues can include:
Some patients only deal with TMJ dysfunction when they’re stressed, but others struggle with symptoms all the time. If we determine you have TMD, you may have several treatment options, such as jaw exercises, stress management, physical therapy, orthodontics, and/or a nightguard.
Wisdom Teeth Issues
Wisdom teeth are the last molars to erupt. They are found in the very back of your mouth and can cause problems when they grow in at a strange angle. If you’re experiencing ear pain, it could mean your wisdom teeth are impacted. Impacted wisdom teeth are stuck beneath your gums, causing significant discomfort. Other symptoms include:
Impacted wisdom teeth don’t get better on their own, so we’ll need to perform oral surgery to remove them.
Consult with Our Team at Spring Lake Oral Surgery!
Ear pain doesn’t always mean there’s something wrong with your ear; it could be a dental problem, such as TMJ dysfunction or impacted wisdom teeth. So if you’re experiencing ear pain in conjunction with symptoms like jaw pain or tenderness, please contact us today to schedule a consultation at Spring Lake Oral Surgery! We look forward to helping resolve your discomfort.