A TMD (temporomandibular disorder) doctor can help you relieve ear pain caused by TMJ disorder in several ways:
Diagnosis: A TMD doctor can diagnose TMJ disorder by examining your jaw and head, taking a medical history, and ordering imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI.
Treatment: Once a TMD doctor has diagnosed TMJ disorder, they may recommend a variety of treatments to help relieve ear pain, such as physical therapy, medication, or a splint to be worn at night.
Jaw exercises: TMD doctor may suggest jaw exercises to help improve the function of the jaw joint and reduce pain.
Lifestyle changes: TMD doctor may recommend certain lifestyle changes such as avoiding hard or chewy foods, avoiding biting your nails or chewing on pens, and reducing stress, which can all contribute to TMJ disorder.
Surgery: In some cases, where all other treatments are not helpful, surgery may be required to correct the problem.
It’s important to note that, if ear pain is caused by other conditions, other medical professionals such as an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor or primary care doctor may be needed to help diagnose and treat the problem.