Pain in lower left jaw and ear

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a condition affecting the movement of the jaw. It's not usually serious and generally gets better on its own.

Table of Contents Show

Check if you have temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
How to ease temporomandibular disorder (TMD) yourself
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
Treatments for temporomandibular disorder (TMD) from a GP
Causes of temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
What is temporomandibular joint disorder?
What causes temporomandibular joint disorder?
What are the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder?
How is temporomandibular joint disorder diagnosed?
How is temporomandibular joint disorder treated?
What causes jaw and ear pain on one side?
Why is my bottom left jaw hurting?
What causes pain from ear to jaw?
When should I be concerned about jaw pain?

Check if you have temporomandibular disorder (TMD)

Signs of TMD include:

pain around your jaw, ear and temple
clicking, popping or grinding noises when you move your jaw
a headache around your temples
difficulty opening your mouth fully
your jaw locking when you open your mouth

The pain may be worse when chewing and when you feel stressed.

TMD can also stop you getting a good night's sleep.

How to ease temporomandibular disorder (TMD) yourself

There are some simple things you can do to try to reduce your jaw pain.

Do

eat soft food, like pasta, omelettes and soup
take paracetamol or ibuprofen
hold ice packs or heat packs to the jaw, whichever feels better
massage the painful jaw muscles
try to find ways to relax

Don’t

do not chew gum or pen tops
do not bite food with your front teeth
do not yawn too wide
do not bite your nails
do not clench your teeth – apart from when eating, your teeth should be apart
do not rest your chin on your hand

How to make your own ice packs and heat packs

Try either:

a pack of frozen peas, wrapped in a tea towel, for no more than 5 minutes at a time, or
a hot water bottle, wrapped in a tea towel, twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

you're unable to eat or drink
the pain is affecting your daily life
the pain is affecting your sleep
the pain and discomfort keep coming back

Treatments for temporomandibular disorder (TMD) from a GP

The GP may suggest:

stronger painkillers
relaxation techniques to reduce stress
ways to improve your sleep

They might suggest you see:

a dentist – if teeth grinding might be an issue
a psychologist – if stress and anxiety are making your pain worse
a physiotherapist – for advice about jaw exercises and massage

If these treatments do not help, you may be referred to a specialist in joint problems to discuss other options, such as painkilling injections or surgery.

Causes of temporomandibular disorder (TMD)

TMD can be caused by:

teeth grinding
wear and tear of the joint
a blow to the head or face
stress
an uneven bite

Page last reviewed: 05 August 2020
Next review due: 05 August 2023

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder

Not what you're looking for?

What is temporomandibular joint disorder?

The temporomandibular joint is actually two pairs of joints that make it possible for the jawbone to rotate and slide. This joint connects the lower jaw to the skull. The temporomandibular joints can be found on either side of the head in front of the ears. These joints allow us to talk, chew and yawn.

When one or more of these joints become inflamed or painful, the condition is called temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD).

What causes temporomandibular joint disorder?

The lower jaw has rounded ends that glide in and out of the joint socket when you talk, chew or yawn. These are called the condyles. They are covered with cartilage and are separated by a small shock-absorbing disk, which keeps the movement smooth.

TMJD can occur from:

Wear and tear on the cartilage.
Damage to the surfaces of the teeth due to neglect or injury.
Loose or lost teeth that have led to damage of the jawbone or poor alignment of the upper and lower jaws.
Poor alignment of the teeth or jaw when biting down. This can cause sensitivity of the teeth as well as affecting the muscles and the temporomandibular joint.
Overuse of the muscles of chewing. This may occur if a person chews gum continuously, bites fingernails or pencils, grinds the teeth, has a habit of clenching the jaw, biting the cheek or lip or thrusting the jaw out when speaking, exercising or other actions.
Erosion or improper movement of the disk.
Damage to the joint from a blow or other impact.
Arthritis.
Trigger points in the muscle tissue that cause myofascial pain syndrome.
Infections deep in the jaw.
Tumors.

Often, it isn't clear what is causing the TMJ symptoms.

TMJ disorders most commonly occur in women between the ages of 30 and 50.

What are the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disorder?

Symptoms of TMJD include:

Pain, including tenderness in the jaw, aching pain in or around the ear, and aching facial pain. Pain may be present whether the temporomandibular joint is moving or not.
Difficulty opening the mouth fully.
Difficulty or discomfort while chewing.
A clicking or popping sensation in the joint.
Locking of the joint that makes it hard to open or close the mouth.
Headache.
Uncomfortable bite.
An uneven bite because one or more teeth are making contact with each other before the other teeth do.

How is temporomandibular joint disorder diagnosed?

TMJD is diagnosed based on the patient's symptoms. A doctor will take a medical history to learn how long you have had the symptoms, whether you have had a recent injury to the jaw or recent dental treatment.

The doctor will do a physical examination. This will include listening to and feeling your jaw when you open and close your mouth and checking to see what range of motion you have in the joint. The doctor will ask whether you have felt a clicking, popping or rough crackling sound when the lower jaw moves.

The doctor will press on areas of your jaw and face to locate the pain or discomfort. They may also ask about whether you are feeling stress and how you cope with such feelings. You will be asked about habits such as clenching your teeth, chewing gum, etc.

The doctor will check your bite. They will look for lost teeth, unusual placement of teeth, signs of chronic teeth grinding. It may be necessary to follow up with X-rays of the teeth.

In some cases, a computed tomography scan may be done to check the bones of the joint. A magnetic resonance imaging scan may be done to reveal problems with the disk in the joint.

How is temporomandibular joint disorder treated?

Treatment of TMJD varies, depending on what is causing the symptoms. Treatment may include:

Arthocentisis, a procedure that flushes debris and the byproducts of inflammation out of the joint.
Correcting poor habits such as grinding the teeth or chewing gum. Sometimes a device (a night guard) inserted in the mouth can help control grinding of the teeth.
Corrective dental treatment.
Drugs to relieve pain and reduce swelling and inflammation.
Splints that reposition the jaw, ligaments and muscles into better alignment.
Surgery to correct abnormalities of the jaw.
Stress management such as meditation, deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
Stretching or massaging the jaw muscles.
Applying heat or cold to the muscles to relieve inflammation and pain.

Key points

Temporomandibular joint disorder happens when there is inflammation or pain in the joints that make is possible for the jawbone to rotate and slide.
The disorder can happen due to wear and tear on the cartilage, arthritis, injuries, dislocations, structural problems in the joint, dental problems infections or tumors.
Treatment options run from stretching and massaging to surgery.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

Not what you're looking for?

What causes jaw and ear pain on one side?

TMJ disorder Your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) can actually be the culprit of many problems including ear and jaw pain. If you suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), you may experience headaches, migraines, eye pain and even sinus pressure.

Why is my bottom left jaw hurting?

Dental problem- Jaw pain can spring from things like a (1) cavity, (2) cracked tooth, (3) infection, and (4) gum disease. Don't neglect to make an appointment with your dentist if you suspect that a dental problem is at the root of your aching jaw. Stress- Are you stressed with work and daily life?

What causes pain from ear to jaw?

An ear infection can cause intense pain in, around, or behind the ear. Sometimes, this pain radiates to the jaw, sinuses, or teeth. In most cases, viruses or bacteria cause ear infections. Ear infections can also happen when water or other fluids build up in the ear.

When should I be concerned about jaw pain?

Seek medical attention if you have persistent pain or tenderness in your jaw, or if you can't open or close your jaw completely. Your doctor, your dentist or a TMJ specialist can discuss possible causes and treatments for your problem.