The ears are truly remarkable, and, as one of the five primary sense organs, they help us connect to the surrounding world. Though animals have ears that range in size, from the enormous ears of an elephant to the tiny ears of a mouse, they essentially serve the same function. Most people don’t think of the ear unless something goes wrong. When this happens, it can be very painful and irritating, leading to symptoms such as pain, pressure, fullness, or ringing in the ears. These symptoms can range from minor to severe and may even prompt patients to seek care from an ENT specialist, a physician specializing in the ear, nose, and throat.
It is interesting to note that these same ear symptoms may also be associated with TMJ pathology. The relationship between the jaw and ear is often overlooked, and it surprises people to learn that the two are in fact quite closely related. For example, any underlying problems with the bite or the muscles that control the jaw can significantly affect the ear.
What distinguishes ear problems that have a dental cause? Most dental-related ear pain is felt only in one ear and is very deep. The pain has also been known to travel down the neck, into the temple area, or even to the back of the head, and is usually triggered by jaw movement. It has even been shown that pain from dental infections, especially in the mandible (lower jaw), can radiate to the ears. Various ear pain symptoms related to TMJ indicate a relationship between the two.
The following are examples of some ear symptoms that may indicate that the underlying problem is actually with the TMJ:
- Pain in the ears
- Ear pressure and a feeling of fullness
- Ringing in the ears
- Jaw shifts to the right or left when opening wide.
- Dizziness/Balance Issues
- Sore and tender muscles around the jaw joints
- Clicking, popping, or grating noises in the jaw joints
THE EAR AND JAW BONE ARE RELATIVES!
The relation between the ear and jaw is truly fascinating, especially because these two anatomical structures actually start out as one in the developing embryo. As the embryos continue to grow, they eventually separate out from each other and form individual entities. To get a better idea of the connection between the ear and jaw, it is important to look at some basic anatomy: The ear contains the smallest bones in the entire body, which are all uniquely named for their shape: hammer (malleus), anvil (incus), and stirrup (stapes). The movement of the hammer is controlled by the muscle tensor tympani. This muscle controls the vibrations of the eardrum and protects the inner ear from loud sounds. Another important muscle of the ear is the tensor palatini, which controls the opening and closing of the eustachian tube. Because the ears and jaw are so closely related in embryonic development, the same nerve that controls the tensor tympani and tensor palatini also controls the muscles that allow chewing. Since the muscles of the jaw and ear share the same nerve supply, a problem in one can affect the other. In addition to this nerve, another thing that the ear and jaw have in common is location. The jaw (mandible) is attached to the skull by two joints right in front of the ear (TMJ). The part of the skull that separates the jaw joints from the ear canals is thin. This means that any TMJ problem could reflect as a symptom in the ears.
How a Bad Bite Might Affect the Ears
An abnormal bite (occlusal) could contribute to TMJ muscle and joint problems. The teeth usually come together every time upon swallowing, which is about 2,500 times each day and night. When there is an abnormal bite, the chewing muscles tire, shorten, and stiffen. Over time, if untreated, the muscle could go into spasm, pulling the jaw joints out of alignment. If any of these symptoms occur, it is highly advised to see a dentist who is specially trained to diagnose and treat TMJ disorders.
