Often, when you experience ear pain you might immediately think you or your child has swimmer’s ear or a simple ear infection. However, ear pain in London can often be linked to your oral health—a matter that needs attention immediately. When you experience ear pain, odds are it is caused by a bite problem.
Many people suffer from ear related problems, such as ear pain, a feeling of pressure or fullness of the ear, or ringing of the ear. If you suffer from any of these symptoms, it can be linked to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Let’s take a closer look at ear pain and TMD.
What is TMD?
Understanding TMD in London is important. TMD typically occurs as a result of problems with the jaw, jaw joint and surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving the jaw. Injury to the jaw, TMJ, or muscles of the head and neck—such as from a heavy blow or whiplash—can cause TMD. Other causes of TMD might include:
- Grinding or clenching the teeth
- Dislocation of the soft cushion or disc between the ball and socket
- Presence of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ
- Stress, which might cause you to tighten your facial and jaw muscles
Regardless of the cause of your TMD, it can lead to ear pain, which should be treated by our London dentist. With proper treatment you will not only find relief from your ear pain, but from your bite complications as well—further protecting you from the development of pain in other areas.
Treating Ear Pain and TMD
To treat your ear pain, our London dentists will need to treat your TMD. Treatments in London for TMD can range from simple self-care practices and conservative treatments to injections and surgery. Before the need for injections or surgery, conservative measures will be utilized. Some conservative treatments in London for TMD might include:
- Applying moist heat or cold packs
- Eating soft foods
- Taking medications
- Low-level laser therapy
- Wearing a splint or night guard
- Corrective dental treatments
- Avoiding extreme jaw movements
- Not resting your chin on your hand
- Keeping your teeth slightly apart
- Learning relaxation techniques
If conservative treatments do not provide you with relief from your TMD or ear pain in London, we will create a different treatment plan, which might include surgery.
Schedule an appointment with our office today to learn more about TMD, ear pain and treatments available at our London office. There is no reason why you should have to put up with pain. Contact us today so that we can help you say goodbye to your TMD pain and ear pain.
