Ear and jaw pain can be a distressing experience, often causing significant discomfort and impacting daily activities. This type of pain can arise from a variety of sources, ranging from issues within the jaw itself to conditions originating in the ear, or even pain referred from other parts of the body. Understanding the potential underlying causes is an initial step toward finding appropriate relief.
Issues Originating in the Jaw
Pain in the ear and jaw often stems from problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull, and is active during chewing, speaking, and yawning. Inflammation or dysfunction in this joint or surrounding muscles can lead to temporomandibular disorder (TMD), commonly causing ear and jaw pain. Around 10 to 15 percent of adults may experience a TMJ disorder.
Teeth grinding, known as bruxism, and jaw clenching are common causes of TMD and related pain. This unconscious habit, often occurring during sleep, places excessive stress on the facial, neck, and jaw muscles, leading to tension and discomfort that can radiate to the ear. Bruxism can also cause dental damage, such as worn-down teeth or tooth sensitivity, further contributing to pain. Due to the TMJ’s close proximity to the ear, joint inflammation or strain can directly affect the ear, sometimes causing sensations like fullness or ringing.
Various dental problems can also cause pain that radiates into the ear and jaw. Deep cavities or abscessed teeth can cause severe toothaches extending to the ear due to interconnected nerves. Gum disease and erupting wisdom teeth can also cause discomfort beyond the immediate tooth. Misalignment of the jaw or teeth, even minor, can create stress that radiates outward toward the ear.
Issues Originating in the Ear
Ear conditions can also cause pain felt in the jaw. Ear infections are a common culprit, with pain often radiating to the jaw, sinuses, or teeth. Outer ear infections (swimmer’s ear) frequently cause pain extending to the jaw and upper neck. Middle ear infections, or otitis media, can also lead to pressure and discomfort that might be perceived in the jaw.
Accumulation of earwax can lead to jaw discomfort. When earwax builds up excessively, it creates pressure or irritation within the ear canal. Due to the ear canal’s close anatomical relationship with the temporomandibular joint, this pressure can radiate, causing dull or aching jaw pain. Impacted earwax can also interfere with normal jaw movement, leading to difficulty opening or closing the mouth fully.
Pressure changes, such as those experienced during flying or diving (barotrauma), can result in ear pain extending to the jaw. These changes can cause a feeling of fullness or discomfort in the ear, and while less common, the pain can sometimes radiate to adjacent structures. This occurs due to the close physiological connections within the head and face.
Referred Pain and Other Causes
Sometimes, ear and jaw pain is a symptom of “referred pain,” where discomfort originates elsewhere but is felt in the ear and jaw. This phenomenon occurs because of shared nerve pathways. For instance, sinus infections, or sinusitis, can cause pressure and inflammation in the sinus cavities that radiate to surrounding tissues, including the ear and jaw. This pain is often accompanied by nasal congestion and headaches.
Nerve conditions, such as trigeminal neuralgia, can cause severe facial pain, including the jaw and ear areas. The trigeminal nerve starts near the top of the ear and branches out to the eye, cheek, and jaw. Pain is typically sharp, stabbing, or electric-shock-like, often affecting only one side of the face. It can be triggered by everyday actions like eating or brushing teeth.
Muscle tension and stress can cause ear and jaw pain. Stress often leads to unconscious jaw clenching, tightening jaw and facial muscles. This sustained tension can cause discomfort that spreads to the ears. Headaches, particularly tension headaches, can also contribute to or be mistaken for ear and jaw pain.
When to See a Doctor
While some instances of ear and jaw pain may resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant professional medical attention. Seek care if the pain is severe, persistent, worsens over time, or does not improve within a few days of home care. Swelling in the gums or face, or pain immediately following an injury, also indicate a medical consultation.
Other signs for evaluation include difficulty opening or closing the mouth, a locked jaw, or changes in hearing. Fever, ear discharge, or any signs of infection should also prompt a visit to a healthcare provider. This information is for general understanding and does not replace the need for a medical diagnosis or treatment from a qualified professional.