Multiple conditions, like TMJ, an ear infection, or stress, can cause jaw pain by your ear. While the pain can often resolve on its own, there are certain things you can do to alleviate the pain. Additionally, you should know when the pain is severe enough to see your doctor or dentist.
Many patients ask, “can an ear infection cause jaw pain?” The answer is yes—pressure or inflammation in the ear can radiate through the TMJ, causing pain on one or both sides of the face.
What Are Some Ear and Jaw Pain Causes?
The most common cause of pain in the jaw by your ear is problems with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). In addition to ear pain caused by this jaw disorder, you may experience other TMJ symptoms like headaches, severe sinus pressure, and eye pain. Still, it helps to look at all possible ear and jaw pain causes before assuming it’s TMJ. However, some other common reasons for sharp pain by the ear and jaw pain may include:- Osteoarthritis
- Psoriatic or rheumatoid arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- Stress
- Sleep apnea
- Swimmer’s ear
- Migraine
- Sinusitis
- Teeth grinding
- Dental issues
Jaw Pain and Near Ear Treatments
If you are experiencing jaw and joint pain, the best thing you can do is to treat it with alternating heat and cold to reduce inflammation and pain. You can use an electric heating pad or a hot pack on your jaw for 10 to 20 minutes and then alternate with an ice pack. To help relieve pain associated with TMJ, try to correct your posture, maintain the resting position of your jaw, exercise your jaw, avoid yawning or yelling, and get a good night’s sleep. Jaw pain near the ear treatment can also include things like oral appliances, physical therapy, or even injection therapy, depending on how severe it is and the cause. Doing these things can help manage your pain and prevent it from returning. If your jaw and ear pain still bother you after trying these methods to relieve the pain, you should contact your dentist or doctor, depending on the reason behind your pain. At Raleigh TMJ, we specialize in treating issues associated with ear and jaw pain and provide treatment options. If you are experiencing discomfort or pain that you believe is caused by TMJ – it’s important that you contact us to learn more about our services!What Are Symptoms of Ear Infection Jaw Pain?
If you have jaw and ear pain due to an ear infection, you will have a lot of swelling and pain near your ear and jaw on one side of your face. Additionally, you will most likely have a fever and low energy level. Symptoms of ear infection related jaw pain can also include pressure behind the eardrum, difficulty chewing, and muffled hearing. This level of infection can be life-threatening if left untreated, so it is vital to see your doctor as soon as possible for treatment. Your doctor will treat you for mastoiditis, a bacterial infection of the mastoid cells surrounding your inner and middle ear. Unilateral ear and jaw pain may indicate an underlying condition and should not be ignored. Inflammation in one area can quickly affect surrounding structures. It can impact simple daily activities like chewing and speaking. When the joint becomes inflamed, the pain can quickly transfer from your ear to your jaw and back. Common triggers of jaw and ear pain:- Teeth grinding (bruxism)
- Chronic stress
- Arthritis (osteoarthritis or rheumatoid)
- Poor sleep posture
- Excessive or repetitive jaw movements
Is Ear and Jaw Pain Serious?
Ear and jaw pain can be severe if a fever, swelling, or tooth pain accompanies it. You may have chronic TMJ disorder if you experience ear and jaw pain without fever or swelling for longer than three months. Ear and jaw pain causes can range from minor muscle strain to infection or joint dysfunction, so don’t ignore persistent symptoms. Ear and jaw pain is not typically serious if it comes and goes, but it should be treated more seriously if you have more serious symptoms besides the pain and if it does not go away after that three-month mark.Can Stress Cause Jaw and Ear Pain?
Yes, clenching your jaw or tensing your muscles during stressful moments can irritate both the joint and the area around the ear. There are even times when your pain might not be from the joint at all. If your wisdom teeth are impacted or you have abscessed molars, they can press on nerves that are nearby, creating sharp or radiating pain that feels like it’s coming from both the ear and jaw. In these cases, you’ll need dental X-rays to make sure that there aren’t any hidden infections or structural issues. You should also keep in mind that dental alignment problems or missing teeth can shift your jaw, triggering tension and soreness around the ear. Stress can cause jaw pain by the ear when clenching or when relaxed. It is a common cause of pain in the mouth, ears, teeth, jaw, and sinus cavities. When you are anxious, you tend to tighten your jaw muscles, which can cause pain in both your mouth and ears.Can an Ear Infection Cause Jaw Pain?
Many people are surprised by the connection between ear infections and jaw pain. When you have an ear infection, the inflammation and pressure can directly affect the area around your temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which sits right next to your ear canal. This can cause pain that feels like it’s coming from your jaw when it’s coming from the ear canal. When one area is irritated, it creates a domino effect that can cause many of the surrounding areas to become affected as well. Can an ear infection cause jaw pain? Absolutely, and This is a commonly overlooked symptom of ear infections. Contact us if you’re experiencing persistent jaw pain you believe relates to an ear infection.Final Thoughts on Ear and Jaw Pain
If you’re dealing with jaw pain near your ear, it can be the result of many different conditions like:- TMJ
- Stress
- Ear infection
- …and more
