Simple things like brushing your teeth, chewing, and eating can be uncomfortable at times,There may be trouble opening the causing jaw hurt and ear pain. It might be felt during rest, yawning, talking and eating. They may feel pain around a tooth or in the jaw, which then radiates towards the ear. In other cases, you will feel pain in your ear when you move your jaw. If your jaw hurts and ear pain at the same time, the first step is to try to determine where the pain is coming from. The jaw joint, teeth, ear and adjacent muscles are closely associated. Sometimes, pain in one part of the body may be experienced in another.
Most of the reasons for simultaneous jaw hurts and ear pain can be treated . The correct treatment, however, will vary depending on the underlying cause of the symptoms.
This blog will help you identify the most common causes of jaw and ear pain, signs of possible warning pain which require immediate attention and what you can do to feel better.
Why Do Jaw Hurts and Ear Pain Happen Together?
There are two joints in your jaw that attach to your skull on both sides of your face. They are known as temporomandibular joints (TMJs). They are used every time that you chew, speak, or open your mouth.
These joints are located just in front of the ears and if something goes wrong with the joint and/or the muscles, pain may occur around the ear. Nerves also have a role in causing pain. Some nerves transmit pain signals from various parts of the face, teeth and jaw. A tooth or jaw muscle's pain can feel like pain near the ear. This is known as referred pain.
A patient with dental infection of the lower molar might complain of earache when the ear is healthy. A person might have a painful jaw due to night grinding. Symptoms may be similar but with different causes.
This diagnosis cannot only be made on the basis of the location of your pain only.Jaw pain can also be due to a variety of causes, such as:
1. Temporomandibular joint disorders
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are conditions that involve the joints of the jaw and the muscles that move the mouth. The problems can occur for various reasons, such as jaw damage, clenching teeth, damage to the muscles, and/or changes to the joint. At times, the cause is not known.
You may notice the following symptoms:
Pain just in front of one or both ears.
Difficulty chewing hard foods.
Clicking or popping sounds when opening your mouth.
Stiffness in the jaw, particularly after waking up.
Pain around the temples/cheek bones.opening,
If the pain continues or the knee is locked, an examination is needed.Trouble opening mouth wide enough to swallow.
Not all clicking jaws are symptoms of trouble. If it is heard and there is no pain or other mouth-movement problems, no treatment might be needed. If the pain is ongoing or if the knee is locked, it should be examined.
What can you do?
For the next 2-3 days, eat softer food, do not chew gum and use a warm compress on the sore muscles. Avoid opening your mouth too wide and/or clicking your jaw repeatedly to check if the problem still persists.
If the pain persists or makes it difficult to eat, see the dentist or doctor. They can examine the joint and make a recommendation for treatment.
2. Dental caries and infections
A broken tooth or a tooth with a deep crack may lead to oral pain that radiates to other parts of the body. This can give you the feeling of jaw hurts and ear pain. Some people develop an earache even if they don't have an ear infection, which is one reason.
The tooth decay starts with the destruction of the hard outer layer of a tooth by acids created by bacteria. At a later stage, if the decay spreads into deeper tissues, the tooth may start to be painful and sensitive. A dental abscess is more serious. It occurs when a tooth infection collects in or around the tooth.
Possible symptoms include:
A tooth with a feeling of "tender" or "pulsating.
Pain on eating and drinking.
Temperature sensitivity of hot or cold foods.
Gums around an aching tooth that are enlarged.
Bad taste, odor in mouth.
A puffy face or jaw.
In some instances, few people can develop fever.
Not all dental infections result in palpability. In some cases, the primary symptom is pain radiating to the ear or down the jaw.
Jaw hurts and ear pain
How is it treated?
The dentist will have to check the tooth affected by the problem and the extent of damage. Treatment options include filling, root canal, draining of an abscess, or extracting the tooth.
Analgesics will help to relieve the pain, but they cannot cure a dental infection. Immediately seek medical help if you experience swelling of the face, fever and increasing symptoms, or if you have problems opening your mouth. If you have trouble breathing or eating, it's an emergency situation.
3. Ear infections
In some cases, the issue may not be with the jaw, but with the ear itself. This may make you feel as if your jaw hurts and ear pain are occurring simultaneously. Ear infection can occur in the middle ear, the part behind the ear drum, or in the outer ear canal. Both can cause pain, but the symptoms might be different.
When the infection is in the outer ear it can be more painful when the outer ear is pulled or the small flap of skin at the entrance to the ear is pressed. A middle ear infection can lead to a sense of pressure, muffled hearing or a plugged ear.
Other symptoms include:
Ear discharge.
Fever.
Reduced hearing.
A feeling of fullness in the ear.
Rifling or spreading pain towards the jaw.
Not all of these symptoms are present at the same time. Certain ear ailments can cause pain in the ear even when the temperature is not elevated.
Rarely a pain radiating to the region of the jaw giving a feeling of jaw hurts and ear pain.
What should you do?
Your doctor can check your ear and determine if you need pain relief or ear drops or another type of treatment. Antibiotics are not always required for an ear infection.
Don't put oil, cotton buds or any liquids into your ear unless you have been prescribed by an ear doctor. They can irritate the ear canal or damage the eardrum if the eardrum is damaged.
Seek immediate medical evaluation for sudden hearing loss, dizziness, or swelling behind the ear.
4. Clenching jaws and grinding teeth
Have a tired jaw or headache near your temples when you get up in the morning? You may be grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw while sleeping, a habit known as bruxism. Others clench their jaw during the day without being aware of it, some grind their teeth at night.
Pressure can cause the muscles that surround the jaw joint to become strained if it is repeated. This can cause pain which can radiate towards the ears over time.
Additional symptoms include dental wear, tooth sensitivity and tight muscles in the face in the morning.
Stress can be a factor in clenching, but not the only one. Other factors can also contribute, such as sleep issues, some medications and more.
What can you do about it?
Try to become aware of how tightly your teeth bite during the day. If your jaw is not in use, do not clench your teeth.
If grinding is harming your teeth, your dentist might be able to make a custom fit night guard.
A night guard is used to prevent damage to the teeth, but it shouldn't take away all of the jaw pain.
Make an appointment to see your dentist instead of thinking the pain is from stress if you're experiencing this discomfort on a regular basis.
5. Wisdom tooth associated problems
These are the very last molars in the back of your mouth which are referred to as wisdom teeth. They typically present themselves in late teens/early adulthood and for some never do.
Problems may arise if a wisdom tooth doesn't have adequate space to grow. It can remain buried under the gum completely or just partially come out in the jaw. Partially erupted teeth can trap food or bacteria that leads to inflammation or infection of the surrounding gum. This is known as pericoronitis.
You may experience pain behind your last molar, swollen gums and an unpleasant taste or find it difficult to open your mouth. The discomfort may radiate toward the same ear.
A dentist can examine the tooth and may get an X-ray to see the position of the tooth. Treatment varies with any trapped food, gum inflammation, infection or impacted tooth.
Don't attempt to cut gum or push teeth out. If swelling progresses or swallowing becomes difficult, get immediate medical attention.
6. Arthritis or an injury to the jaw
The jaw joint may develop arthritis, leading to pain, stiffness or problems chewing. Symptoms may become more apparent following prolonged chewing. An injury can cause the same issues.
The jaw joint, muscles and surrounding bones can be damaged by a fall or sports injury, or from a blow to the face.
If pain arises immediately after an accident it should never be ignored, particularly if you feel that your bite feels different or you can't fully open or close your mouth. When a person's jaw is broken or dislocated, get emergency medical attention. Never try to push the joint back in.
7. Sores in the sinuses or in the throat.
Occasionally, pain in the area of the jaw and ear originates in another area of the head or neck. A throat infection, which may cause a feeling of jaw hurts and ear pain. It can feel as if it extends towards the ear, especially when eating or drinking. When sinuses become inflamed, pressure can be felt in the area of the cheeks, forehead and upper teeth.
Some other symptoms may be sore throat, stuffy nose, facial pressure, swollen lymph nodes or a fever. These symptoms can be similar to dental or ear issues. If someone has a blocked nose and facial pain, it could indicate a sinus issue, and if the pain occurs around one tooth when biting into something, it could indicate a dental issue.
If the pain in your ear or throat continues, it should be evaluated by a doctor, especially if you are having problems with swallowing or a neck lump or you are losing weight without a reason.
Consult a dental surgeon
Symptoms and the possible causes for jaw hurts and ear pain
The way your pain behaves can provide useful clues. However, symptoms alone cannot confirm the cause. It is important to get yourself examined by a trained professional rather than blindly assuming the possible cause.
Symptom |
Possible explanation |
Pain becomes worse when chewing or yawning |
TMJ disorder or muscle strain |
Toothache with sensitivity to hot or cold |
Tooth decay or inflammation inside a tooth |
Swollen gums near the back molars |
Wisdom tooth inflammation or dental infection |
Ear discharge or muffled hearing |
An ear condition |
Sore jaw when waking up |
Teeth grinding or clenching |
Pain after an accident |
Jaw or facial injury |
Ear pain with a sore throat |
Throat infection or referred pain |
For example, if your jaw hurts mainly when chewing, a jaw joint or dental problem may be responsible. If you also have ear discharge or a change in hearing, the ear needs to be examined. More than one problem can occur at the same time and you cannot solely rely on only this guide to tell the exact cause.
Home remedies for Jaw hurts and ear pain?
If your symptoms are mild and no warning signs exist, some simple steps can help relieve the discomfort until you can make an examination appointment if necessary.
Eat soft foods
Opt for food that is very easy to eat like soups, broths, curd, soft vegetables, scrambled eggs or nutrient rich liquid diets.
Do not chew gum, hard nuts, tough meat or sticky sweets as your jaw is tender.
A decrease in chewing allows irritated muscles to rest.
Use a hot or cold pack
Put a warm and moist cloth over the painful jaw for 15-20 minutes. A cold pack wrapped in a towel is the option to use if cold is preferred.
Never put ice directly on your skin. Discontinue the compress if it increases the pain.
Avoid Jaw Overuse
Don't yawn with your mouth as wide as it can go. Don't keep trying the joint over and over again or pushing it to "click".
If you find you tighten your jaw during work, try to relax the jaw, and let the upper and lower teeth open slightly.
Brush your teeth and gums regularly
Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss daily. Maintain dental health to avoid dental disease and tooth decay.
But, a dental abscess will not be remedied through brushing. Even if you have a toothache or the gums are puffy, you should get professional help.
Be careful when using pain medications
Use pain medicines carefully
Paracetamol or ibuprofen may help some people, depending on their age, medical history, and other medicines.
Follow the package instructions and ask a pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure.
Ibuprofen is unsuitable for some people, including those with certain stomach or kidney conditions, and may not be appropriate during pregnancy. Do not put aspirin directly on a painful tooth or gum because it can damage the tissue.
Home remedies may reduce discomfort, but they do not treat every underlying cause.
When Should You See a Dentist or Doctor?
Arrange an appointment if the pain keeps returning, becomes worse, or does not improve within a few days.
See a dentist if you have:
Toothache that spreads toward the ear.
Pain when biting down.
Swollen gums or a suspected dental abscess.
Repeated pain around a wisdom tooth.
A broken or damaged tooth.
Jaw hurts and ear pain is severe and increasing in intensity
See a doctor or ENT specialist if you have:
Ear discharge or changes in hearing.
Fever with ear pain.
Repeated ear infections.
Persistent ear pain without an obvious dental cause.
Ongoing one-sided ear or throat pain.
Your clinician may examine your teeth, gums, jaw movement, ears, and throat. Depending on the findings, you may need dental X-rays or other tests.
When is jaw and ear pain an emergency?
Seek emergency medical attention if you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapidly spreading facial or neck swelling, or a jaw that becomes stuck or deformed after an injury.
Jaw pain can sometimes occur during a heart attack. If it begins with chest pressure, shortness of breath, cold sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to your arm, back, or neck, call your local emergency number immediately.
Do not assume the problem is related to your teeth.
Jaw Hurts and Ear Pain—Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause identified during your examination.
TMJ disorder: Treatment may include jaw rest, physiotherapy, appropriate exercises, pain relief, and occasionally a jaw wash (TMJ arthrocentesis).
Dental cavities: A dentist may recommend a filling, root canal treatment, or another procedure.
Dental abscesses: Treatment may involve draining the infection and treating the affected tooth.
Ear infections: Treatment depends on the type of infection and may include pain relief, ear drops, or antibiotics when indicated.
Wisdom tooth problems: Cleaning the area, treating inflammation, or removing the tooth may be necessary.
Jaw injuries: Significant injuries may require emergency treatment or specialist care.
Antibiotics are not needed for every cause of pain. They do not treat TMJ disorders, teeth grinding, or ordinary tooth decay. Take them only when prescribed for an appropriate reason. If your symptoms continue after treatment, return to your healthcare professional. The original diagnosis may need to be reviewed.
Can You Prevent Jaw and Ear Pain?
You cannot prevent every cause, but certain habits can lower your risk.
Brush twice daily and clean between your teeth.
Attend regular dental checkups.
Avoid chewing gum for long periods if your jaw is sore.
Avoid biting your nails or chewing hard objects.
Notice and reduce daytime jaw clenching.
Avoid inserting cotton buds or other objects into your ears.
Seek dental advice if wisdom teeth cause repeated discomfort.
Pay attention to pain that keeps returning on the same side. Even when the discomfort is mild, a proper examination can help identify the cause before the problem becomes harder to manage.
References
Frequently asked questions
Can TMJ disorders cause ear pain without an ear infection?
Yes. Problems affecting the jaw joint or nearby muscles can cause pain around the ear even when the ear itself is healthy. Clicking, stiffness, and pain while chewing may provide additional clues.
Why does my jaw hurt near my ear when I chew?
Possible causes include a TMJ disorder, strained jaw muscles, teeth grinding, tooth decay, or an infected tooth. If one tooth hurts when you bite down, or your gums are swollen, arrange a dental examination.
Can a tooth infection cause ear pain?
Yes. A tooth infection can cause referred pain that spreads to the jaw and ear. A dental abscess may also cause throbbing pain, gum swelling, a bad taste, or fever. Prompt dental treatment is important because an abscess will not reliably heal on its own.
