4 Important Reasons Behind Ear and Jaw Pain

Ear and jaw pain severity can vary from mild to very intense, depending on the cause of the pain and whether the pain is occurring due to infection, injury, or any other severe cause. Furthermore, ear and jaw pain has numerous conditions.

1. Ear and Jaw Pain

Jaw and ear pain is common pain due to various events taking place in one’s life and exposure to microorganisms in day-to-day life. Experiencing jaw pain is life-threatening if not treated on time with proper medications.

The several reasons behind the jaw and ear pain include TMJ disorder, sleep apnea, temporomandibular disorders, weak immune system, eye pressure point strains, and psoriatic arthritis.

1.1. Causes of Ear and Jaw Pain

Several causes play a significant role in creating ear and jaw pain. The most prominent causes include jaw injury, oral infections, TMJ disorders, teeth grinding, temporomandibular joint, jaw muscle strain, sinus pressure, mild ache, tooth abscess, ear infections, and facial pain.

1.1.1. TMJ Disorders and Dysfunction

This problem is related to the temporomandibular joint. It is also known as temporomandibular disorder.

This disorder has an extensive range of symptoms. The most prominent symptom is ear and jaw pain. In some cases, headaches and eye pain are also observed.

The main causes behind this temporomandibular joint disorder include

• Teeth grinding
• Rheumatoid arthritis,
• Muscles surrounding injuries
• The problem is the alignment between teeth and jaw.

Although teeth grinding and pain in rheumatoid arthritis are very intense, some home remedies are there which help in reducing the intensity of the pain caused by these.

1.1.2. Oral Infections

Apart from TMJ disorder, the other prominent cause of jaw and ear pain is oral infections. A severe oral infection needs medical treatment on an urgent basis. If medical treatment is not done, then the situation might get worse.

The main causes of oral infection include dental issues-

• Tooth abscess
• Root canals
• Jaw hur
• Jaw injuries
• Teeth forward.

In severe cases, the patient also has swollen gums along with tender spots. The intense pain may spread in healthy joints if not given immediate treatment.

Surrounding muscles, pain might appear and disappear in the jaw and ear. This is the signal that tells that the oral infection is spreading in the nearby muscles.

In oral infection, the doctor advises taking soft foods with a liquid diet, which will most relax the muscles and help reduce the pain.

1.1.3. Ear Infections

There are several causes of ear infections, including experiencing pain in related muscles of the jaw, teeth, and sinus. Sinus pain is unbearable and needs medical treatment.

The prominent causes of ear infections include bacteria, viruses, and some fungi. 

Experiencing ear pain might also have other symptoms, which include fever, congestion, and very low energy levels. One of the major ear infections, named mastoiditis, is spread near the mastoid bone of the ear. In this condition, the patient experience

• Intense pain
• Sometimes jaw hurts along with sleep apnea
• Heating problem
• Runny nose,
• Migraine attacks and, in some cases, pain, even sinus pressure.

Infection in the jaw joint, temporal bone and inner ear first needs a physical examination. The physical examination will make clear what are the dominant causes of the infection.

1.1.4. Jaw Injuries

Injury in the outer ear and the sternocleidomastoid muscle in any car accident also causes jaw pain. To identify the jaw injury reason, health history is very important. The physical exam helps in identifying the causes behind the experience of ear and jaw pain.

To reduce stress in the muscles of injuries, cold compress is suggested by doctors.

1.1.5. Swimmer’s ear

Swimmer’s ear is a disease that is generally caused when the outer ear lining is torn by some sharp object, and water is formed inside it.

1.2. Home Remedies for Ear and Jaw Pain

Apart from medicines, there are some home remedies that can help in reducing jaw and ear pain. These home remedies include.

• Intake of more soft foods

• Rest and relax your jaw

• Avoid stress

• Use of cold and warm compression

• Stop chewing the ends of shaped objects, including pencils and pens.

1.3. Treatment Options for Ear and Jaw Pain

Treatment for ear and jaw pain depends on the reason behind the cause. Treatment may vary from cause to cause.

Some of the common treatment for ear and jaw pain includes.

• Jaw resting

• Flushing the joints to reduce inflammation

• Antibiotic drugs in case of infection

• Tooth removal in case of oral infection and cause

1.4. When to Consult a Doctor

Here are some signs and symptoms which show that this is the time to consult your doctor.

• Interferes with sleep

• High fever, including  flue like symptoms

• Problem In hearing

• Difficulty in eating and talking

2. FAQs

Some of the frequently asked questions which bother people a lot include.

Q 1. Are Ear and jaw pain permanent

Ans: No- the ear and jaw pain is not permanent if proper treatment is taken at the right time.

Q 2. What are the causes of jaw pain 

Ans: Sometimes, jaw pain is caused due to clenched teeth or jaw injury. 

Q 3. What are the methods to relieve jaw pain 

Ans: There are various methods, which include the use of hot and cold compress, exercises of the jaw, the correct posture of the jaw, and avoiding certain foods which are hard to chew. 

Q 4. What are the main reasons for ear pain 

Ans: The ear pain can be due to ear infection, fluid buildup near the ear drum, and pus formation in the ear canal. 

Final Note

There are several reasons behind the ear and jaw pain. In the majority of the cases, the reason behind the pain is only concerned with either the jaw or ear, but referred pain is felt in surrounding areas.

You must talk to your doctor if the pain persists or if the pain is becoming more severe day by day. The doctor will do the physical examination followed by some tests which are involved in the diagnosis to help you in a better way.

Last Updated on October 17, 2023 by Ananya Sreen