Can Jaw Pain Be Caused by an Ear Infection?

Because the ear and jaw share nerves and anatomy, pain in one often feels like it’s coming from the other.

Jaw pain can be annoying, so much more so when it comes suddenly. Even more confusing, sometimes the pain can seem to be traveling from your ear also, or from ear to jaw. Could it be an ear infection causing your jaw pain, or is something else simmering just beneath the surface? Understanding more about the close anatomy of your ear and jaw is a good first step to finding help.

The Ear-Jaw Connection: Can Ear Infection Cause Jaw Ache

The jaw and ear are much closer, closely related to anatomy and to neurology, than most people would ever envision. A major part of the relationship includes the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), where your jawbone connects to the skull (located directly in front of the ear). Because these anatomical structures are physically so close to each other, an issue in one part usually has some effect on the other part too.

Additionally, common nerve pathways (such as the trigeminal nerve and the facial nerve) share the capacity to relay pain messages, allowing them to be intermingled and overlap. Therefore, what your brain interprets as ear pain could be originating from the jaw joint, or vice versa.

When an Ear Infection Causes Pain in the Jaw

Ear infections are more common in children than adults, but adults can get them, too (particularly outer ear infections- otitis externa). Ear infections can cause a lot of pain, sometimes in such a way that it is referred to the jaw due to the inflammation pressing on the nerves.

Signs that your jaw pain could be due to an ear infection:

• You have very recently been sick with a cold, flu, or upper respiratory infection.
• Your ear feels full, warm, or swollen.
• You have fluid leaking or draining from your ear.
• You may be running a mild to moderate fever.
• You feel more pain or discomfort when you press on your ear or move your jaw.

In all of these cases, the jaw pain is a symptom of the ear problem, not the problem itself. Typically, when the infection is resolved, the pain will go away.

TMJ and Ear Symptoms: TMJ vs Ear Infection

If you’ve ruled out an ear infection or antibiotics haven’t helped, then it’s time to consider one more possibility- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD), or TMJ disorder.

• Main signs that your jaw pain and ear problems may be from:
• Pain worsens after talking, eating, or yawning
• Ear pain is not paired with fever or discharge
• You hear clicking or popping inside your jaw
• You experience headaches, facial sensitivity, or jaw tightness
• Symptoms persist even after the resolution of the illness

TMJ is frequently mistaken for an ear infection because it tends to cause earache-like symptoms without actual infection being involved. In fact, more than 80% of patients with TMD will develop some level of ear pain.

Other Conditions That Can Cause Jaw and Ear Pain

Ear pain near the jaw isn’t always caused by TMJ or infection. Some possible causes are:

• Osteoarthritis: Degeneration of the jaw joint cartilage can result in chronic stiffness and pain in the back of the ear.
• Rheumatoid or Psoriatic Arthritis: Autoimmune disorders may involve the TMJ and result in generalized pain.
• Sinus Infections: Inflammation of the sinus can produce pressure over the region surrounding the ear and jaw, especially with colds.
• Bruxism (Teeth Grinding): Clenching or grinding for long amounts of time applies pressure on the joint of the jaw and may lead to pain down the neck or in the ear.
• Mastoiditis: A rare but acute complication of untreated infection that causes inflammation and severe pain over the area behind the ear and jaw.

Diagnose for Ear Infection Causing Jaw Pain

If you experience recurring aches around the ear and jaw, do not assume – get a proper diagnosis.

• Your health practitioner may:
• Offer an ear and jaw physical examination
• Examine the jaw movement and test for a clicking and grinding sound
• Perform images (X-ray, CT, or MRI)
• Check for signs of infection or inflammation

If infection is involved, antibiotics or antiviral treatment might be necessary. If TMJ is found, a multi-step treatment plan is most frequently ordered.

Treating TMJ and Ear Infections

Treatment of TMJ varies depending on the severity of the condition, but often starts with conservative treatments:

Non-surgical TMJ treatment options include:

• Medication: Pain relievers, muscle relaxants, or anti-inflammatories
• Mouthguards: To avoid teeth grinding or jaw misalignment
• Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises for the jaw
• Trigger point injections: With corticosteroids or botulinum toxin
• Ultrasound or TENS therapy: To relax muscle tension and improve circulation

In the most severe or resistant cases, surgery may be an option, although these are usually held in reserve for disabling, long-term cases once other measures have failed.

Prevention and Home Care Tips for Ear Infection(with Jaw Pain) or TMJ

Depending on why your ear and jaw pain are occurring, a few minor habits will prevent or manage flare-ups:

• Avoid inserting Q-tips or objects into your ears
• Place swimmer’s ear drops in your ears following swimming if you suffer from outer ear infections
• Use warm compresses to unwind your muscles
• Consume soft foods and avoid chewing gum or hard meat during flare-ups
• Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth

Ache in the jaw that continues on about the ear may be more than an annoyance—it’s your body telling you something. It might be an infection, jaw disorder, or something more complicated, such as arthritis. Knowing what is causing it matters. If it is painful, do not attempt to diagnose yourself. Talk with a medical professional about the right way to heal.