Earache, Pain and Stiffness in the Jaw Joint (Temporomandibular Joint)
Due to constant movement of the jaws and face, patients may begin to experience pains in their ears. Most times it does not indicate anything serious, but it needs to get checked to prevent any complications. Earaches can last for a very long time depending on what is causing it, they also start to improve if adequate treatment is given to it. They are a common symptom in children due to certain behavioral pattern such as pulling their ear, restlessness and loss of balance.
One of the major signs of bruxism is pains in the jaw joint [6] and muscles surrounding that area. This symptom leads to temporomandibular disorder (TMD) [7].
Other symptoms of teeth grinding include:
- Disrupted sleep pattern
- Worn-down teeth. This can cause increased sensitivity to hot or cold food. It can also cause tooth loss and exposure of deep layers of tooth
- Broken teeth or fillings
- Flattened, chipped or loose tooth
- Loud teeth grinding or clenching which can be loud enough to disturb people around
- Increased tooth pain
- Tired jaw muscles that prevent the mouth from opening or closing completely.