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What Causes Stiffness At The Jaw Joint, Difficulty In Chewing And Ear Pain?

Posted on Fri, 8 Jul 2016

Question: I woke up Saturday morning and my right jaw was really stiff and hurt in the muscle area of the joint. It hurts most when I chew or clench. Early in the morning it is really stiff and I cannot bring my molars together. It loosens up after use and felt really good last night when I had some hot soup. The ear seems to ache as well. I took and ibuprofen last night and still woke up with it this morning. I don't know if I should go in or if this is something that will pass or if should go in to my physician. I don't feel that any of my teeth are involved, none of them have given me trouble or hurt. It all was very sudden.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Symptoms looks consistent with Jaw joint problems..

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Welcome to HCM.

So sorry to hear about your problem and will try my level best to resolve it..

As per your complain the symptoms of stiffness at the jaw joint along with difficulty in chewing or clenching with ear pain are indicating towards jaw joint dysfunction..

Aa the jaw joint lies in very close location with thevear thus pain in ear seems to be radiating from it..

I would like to know a few more details so that I can guide you better..
1.Is it first ever episodes of pain and stiffness or ever happened previously?
2.Do you have teeth grinding or clenching habit?
3.Do you have any medical problems or are you on any medication?
4.Do you remember opening the mouth too wide or biting down something very hard recently?
5.Do you experience any clicking sound on opening and closing the jaw?

Please revert back with answers..

Hope this helps..

Regards..

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad