What are the common causes of jaw and ear pain. How can you differentiate between TMJ disorders and other conditions. What are the treatment options for jaw and ear discomfort. How do sinus issues affect jaw and ear pain. When should you seek medical attention for jaw and ear symptoms.

Understanding the Connection Between Jaw and Ear Pain

Jaw and ear pain often go hand in hand due to the close anatomical relationship between these structures. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which connects the jawbone to the skull, is located just in front of the ear. This proximity can make it challenging to pinpoint the exact source of discomfort. Many conditions can cause pain in this area, ranging from dental issues to sinus problems and even arthritis.

One important concept to understand is referred pain. This occurs when pain is felt in one area but originates from another. For example, TMJ disorders can cause pain that feels like it’s coming from the ear, even though the root cause is in the jaw joint. Understanding this phenomenon can help in correctly diagnosing and treating the underlying issue.

TMJ Disorders: A Common Culprit for Jaw and Ear Pain

Temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) are a frequent cause of jaw and ear pain. These conditions affect the TMJ and surrounding muscles, leading to a variety of symptoms. How can you recognize TMJ disorders?

• Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth
• Pain or tenderness in the jaw area
• Difficulty or discomfort while chewing
• Headaches, particularly in the temple area
• Earaches or pain around the ear without an infection
• Locking of the jaw joint

Treatment for TMJ disorders often involves a combination of approaches. These may include:

1. Wearing a bite splint or night guard
2. Orthodontic treatment to correct bite issues
3. Botox injections to relax overactive jaw muscles
4. Physical therapy and jaw exercises
5. Stress reduction techniques

In most cases, conservative treatments are effective in managing TMJ disorders. However, severe cases may require more invasive interventions, such as surgery.

Arthritis and Its Impact on Jaw and Ear Pain

Arthritis can affect the temporomandibular joint, leading to jaw and ear pain. The two most common types of arthritis affecting this area are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. How do these conditions differ in their impact on the TMJ?

Osteoarthritis of the TMJ

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the TMJ. It causes the cartilage in the joint to break down, leading to pain and stiffness. Symptoms of osteoarthritis in the TMJ include:

• Gradual onset of pain and stiffness in the jaw
• Difficulty opening the mouth fully
• Grating or crunching sensation when moving the jaw
• Pain that worsens with jaw movement

Treatment for osteoarthritis of the TMJ typically involves pain management, physical therapy, and in some cases, corticosteroid injections. Severe cases may require joint replacement surgery.

Rheumatoid Arthritis and the TMJ

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple joints in the body, including the TMJ. When rheumatoid arthritis impacts the TMJ, it can cause:

• Symmetrical pain in both TMJs
• Morning stiffness in the jaw
• Swelling around the joint
• Changes in bite or jaw alignment

Management of rheumatoid arthritis affecting the TMJ typically involves a multidisciplinary approach, combining medications to control inflammation, physical therapy, and in some cases, surgical interventions.

Sinus Issues and Their Relation to Jaw and Ear Pain

Sinus problems can often masquerade as dental or ear issues, causing confusion in diagnosis. How do sinus conditions contribute to jaw and ear pain?

The sinuses are air-filled cavities located in the facial bones, including areas near the jaw and ears. When these sinuses become inflamed or infected (a condition known as sinusitis), it can cause pressure and pain that radiates to surrounding areas. This can result in:

• Pain in the upper teeth, which may be mistaken for a toothache
• Pressure and pain in the ears
• Discomfort in the jaw, particularly when bending forward
• Headaches, especially in the forehead and cheek areas

Differentiating sinus-related pain from TMJ disorders or dental issues can be challenging. However, sinus problems often come with additional symptoms such as nasal congestion, facial pressure that changes with position, and sometimes fever.

Treatment for sinus-related jaw and ear pain typically involves addressing the underlying sinus issue. This may include:

1. Decongestants to reduce sinus pressure
2. Antibiotics if a bacterial infection is present
3. Nasal corticosteroid sprays to reduce inflammation
4. Saline nasal irrigation to clear congestion

If sinus problems are recurring or chronic, consultation with an ear, nose, and throat specialist may be necessary to rule out structural issues or chronic sinusitis.

Dental Issues: A Hidden Source of Jaw and Ear Pain

Dental problems can often be a surprising source of jaw and ear pain. How can tooth-related issues manifest as discomfort in these areas?

Several dental conditions can cause pain that radiates to the jaw and ear regions:

• Tooth decay or cavities
• Gum disease
• Dental abscesses
• Cracked or fractured teeth
• Impacted wisdom teeth

The pain from these conditions can be referred to the jaw and ear due to the complex network of nerves in the facial area. For example, an infection in an upper molar can cause pain that feels like it’s coming from the ear or the TMJ.

Identifying dental issues as the source of jaw and ear pain often requires a thorough dental examination, including X-rays. Treatment will depend on the specific dental problem but may include:

1. Filling cavities
2. Root canal therapy for severely damaged teeth
3. Extraction of problematic teeth, such as impacted wisdom teeth
4. Treatment for gum disease
5. Antibiotics for dental infections

Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene practices can help prevent many of these issues from developing or catch them early before they cause significant pain.

Bruxism: The Silent Contributor to Jaw and Ear Pain

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a common but often overlooked cause of jaw and ear pain. This condition involves clenching or grinding the teeth, typically during sleep or in times of stress. How does bruxism lead to jaw and ear discomfort?

When you grind or clench your teeth, it puts excessive pressure on the jaw muscles and the TMJ. Over time, this can lead to:

• Muscle tension and pain in the jaw area
• Headaches, particularly in the temples
• Earaches or a feeling of fullness in the ears
• Wear and damage to the teeth
• Increased sensitivity to hot and cold in the teeth

Many people are unaware that they grind their teeth, especially if it occurs during sleep. Signs that you might be suffering from bruxism include:

1. Waking up with a sore jaw or facial muscles
2. A partner noticing grinding sounds during your sleep
3. Unexplained wear on your teeth noticed by your dentist
4. Frequent headaches, especially in the morning

Treatment for bruxism often involves wearing a custom-made night guard or splint to protect the teeth and reduce pressure on the jaw. Other interventions may include stress reduction techniques, as stress is a common trigger for teeth grinding. In some cases, Botox injections into the jaw muscles can help relax them and reduce grinding.

Ear Infections and Their Impact on Jaw Pain

Ear infections, while primarily affecting the ear, can also cause significant discomfort in the jaw area. How do ear problems contribute to jaw pain?

The ear is closely connected to the jaw through shared nerve pathways and proximity. When an ear infection occurs, it can lead to:

• Pain that radiates from the ear to the jaw
• Difficulty or pain when chewing or opening the mouth wide
• A feeling of fullness or pressure in the ear that extends to the jaw
• Temporary hearing loss or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

One specific type of ear infection that can cause significant jaw pain is swimmer’s ear (otitis externa). This infection of the outer ear canal can cause sharp pain that worsens when moving the jaw.

Treatment for ear-related jaw pain typically involves addressing the underlying ear infection. This may include:

1. Antibiotics for bacterial infections
2. Pain relievers to manage discomfort
3. Ear drops to reduce inflammation and fight infection
4. Careful cleaning and drying of the ears to prevent recurrence

It’s important to note that chronic or recurrent ear infections may require evaluation by an ear, nose, and throat specialist to rule out more serious conditions or structural abnormalities.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Jaw and Ear Pain

While some causes of jaw and ear pain can be managed at home, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. When should you be concerned about jaw and ear pain?

Seek medical help if you experience:

• Severe, persistent pain that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers
• Sudden onset of severe jaw pain, especially if accompanied by chest pain (which could indicate a heart attack)
• Inability to open or close your mouth fully
• Fever along with jaw or ear pain, which could indicate an infection
• Swelling in the jaw or face
• Changes in your bite or difficulty chewing
• Sudden hearing loss or ringing in the ears

It’s also important to seek professional help if jaw or ear pain is impacting your daily life, such as interfering with eating, speaking, or sleeping. A healthcare provider can perform a thorough examination and may order imaging studies to determine the underlying cause of your symptoms.

Remember, early intervention can often prevent more serious complications and lead to more effective treatment. Don’t hesitate to consult with your dentist, primary care physician, or a specialist if you’re concerned about persistent jaw and ear pain.

11 Reasons Why Your Ear & Jaw Hurt

Do you frequently experience ear and jaw pain? Symptoms of TMJ disorder? Your jaw and ear are closely related to your TMJ, which can sometimes make discomfort or pain difficult to distinguish one from the other. But TMJ/TMD isn’t the only cause of ear and jaw pain. There are a number of different conditions you’ll want to rule out before finding the best treatment option. Understanding what makes each of these diagnoses different from one another will help you get effective relief as quickly as possible.

Common Symptoms

Your TMJ, jaw, ears, sinuses, and facial muscles are all closely interrelated. It’s common to experience what we call “referred pain”.[1] Referred pain is when one part of your body – such as your ear or a tooth – is hurting, but the source of the discomfort is actually coming from someplace else.

A common example is having an earache when the tightness and swelling is radiating from your TMJ. Even though it feels like it’s your ear that’s hurting, the pain is coming from somewhere else.

Another example is when you have a tooth that hurts (especially an upper canine/eyetooth) but there’s nothing wrong with your tooth at all. Instead, it’s the sinus pressure from a nasal infection, pressing down on the root of your tooth and making you feel like you have a toothache.

Although ear and jaw pain are closely linked if you pay attention to other symptoms and underlying factors you can more easily distinguish what’s going on with your health. That way you know which type of dental or medical provider to see and get the quickest relief for your pain.

Common Causes

1) TMJ Disorders

Symptoms

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) causes popping, clicking, headaches, limited range of motion, jaw and ear pain, neck pain, and may even radiate into your face or back. [2]

Treatment

Talk to your dentist about a bite splint, orthodontics, Botox injectables, massage, or physical therapy. The best treatment will depend on the severity of your TMJ disorder and how much it affects your life on a day-to-day basis.

2) Osteoarthritis

Symptoms

The most common type of arthritis to affect your TMJ is osteoarthritis. Typically, it will cause damage to the cartilage inside of your joint and make your jaw feel too stiff to move up and down. Damage will be visible on your X-ray.[3]

Treatment

Your physician or rheumatologist will need to work with you on a care plan. In the meantime, ask your dentist to monitor joint damage to determine if surgery is needed. A splint may be recommended. Follow the home care relief instructions mentioned further down.

3) Sinusitis

Symptoms

Sinus pressure, infections, and seasonal allergies can fool you into thinking you have a toothache or migraine. The pressure from the inside presses against tooth roots and other parts of your face, giving off that referred pain sensation.[4] If you rock or bob your head, you’ll probably be able to tell something is going on.

Treatment

Work with your MD to get rid of any underlying sinus infections with the appropriate medication. Ask about a preventative allergy regimen.

4) Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)

Symptoms

Clenching and grinding can happen while you’re sleeping, focusing on something, or just feeling stressed out. Usually, you’ll notice tension in your face and forehead, along with ear and jaw pain.

Treatment

A nightguard or daytime bite splint are a must-have! They’ll place a protective barrier between your teeth so that your TMJ doesn’t fully engage. In the meantime, tell yourself to rest with your lips together but your teeth apart. Side note: Botox may also be an option!

5) Rheumatoid Or Psoriatic Arthritis

Symptoms

Diseases of the joint can cause physical changes in and around your TMJ. Your dentist may need to take a panoramic X-ray to determine the extent of bone damage.

Treatment

Your physician and/or rheumatologist will need to work with you to create a prescription and nutritional plan that helps prevent additional bone damage. Work with your dentist to determine a physical therapy plan or determine if surgery is necessary. rheumatoidarthritis.org/ra/jaw-pain/” websitename=”RASN”>[5]

6) Swimmer’s Ear

Symptoms

Spending lots of time at the pool lately? After a few swim sessions of dunking your head under water, you may start to experience a sharp, painful stabbing sensation in one or both ears.

Treatment

Ask your doctor for a prescription pain reliever or antibiotic if the ear is red and swollen. Use ear plugs and preventative drops to avoid swimmer’s ear from flaring back up.[6]

7) Toothache/Dental Issues

Symptoms

If you have a tooth infection such as decay or gum disease, it can hurt in the involved tooth or even the tooth next to it. It’s the same with dental abscesses. If you’re clenching and grinding your teeth, the pressure may strain the small ligaments around your tooth roots as well. [7]

Treatment

See your dentist for a formal diagnosis. They may recommend a filling, root canal, gum therapy, or just a night guard! Don’t wait, because it usually gets worse and more expensive to treat the longer you do.

8) Sternocleidomastoid Pain

Symptoms

Your sternocleidomastoid muscle is one that runs from your ear to your collarbone. If it’s tense, you can feel pressure in your neck or near the ends where it attaches to your bones (including by your ear).[8]

Treatment

Treat your muscle pain similar to other soft tissue injuries. Use rest, massage, warm compresses, and physical therapy to ease tension. Watch your posture! You could be slumping at the desk or sitting in a way that causes repetitive muscle strain.

9) Jaw Injuries

Symptoms

You’ll likely experience pain when you’re opening and closing your mouth, or see a limited range of motion (where you can’t open as wide.) Chewing may be painful. A jaw injury is usually something you see in athletic accidents or an automobile wreck.

Treatment

Physical therapy exercises, rest, massage, a warm compress, and pain relievers work best. Avoid eating any firm foods for several days. Surgery is reserved for severe cases.

10) Earwax

Symptoms

If you have a heavy amount of earwax that’s causing pain, you’ll probably also experience signs of hearing loss. Or at least have a hard time catching what other people are saying.

Treatment

Do not attempt to clean the ear wax out on your own. If it’s severe enough to make your ear hurt, let a professional like an ENT or MD do it for you. They may recommend an OTC kit to help dilute the residue so that it drips out naturally.[9]

11) Air Pressure

Symptoms

pressure from altitude changes can sometimes be severe enough to make your ear hurt.

Treatment

Remember how your mom used to tell you to pop your ears on a car ride or flight in a plane? The Move your jaw up and down, side to side, or chew a piece of gum for a few seconds. Or better yet, hold your nose and try to blow out of it.

When To See A Doctor 

Any time you’re experiencing discomfort or pain that’s severe enough to interfere with your daily routine, you need to see a doctor. Even if it’s not too bad but it’s coming and going over several days at a time, it’s best to talk to some type of a medical provider.

If you have a dental appointment planned, your dentist could be one of the best providers to speak to. Especially if the pain is close to your teeth, jaw or TMJ. However, if there’s obvious redness or infection around your ear, your best bet is to see your MD or ENT.

Even if your jaw and ear pain isn’t related to something dental in nature, your dentist can rule out potential factors during your routine checkup and then refer you to the appropriate medical provider.

Once you schedule an appointment, your doctor or dentist will likely run through a series of questions related to several of the above-mentioned conditions to rule out any specific red flags. But at that point, the exam will require looking at and feeling your facial features or inside of your ear/nose/throat to see what else is going on.

Pain Relief At Home

Since inflammation is usually one of the most common sources of pain and discomfort, taking an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication (like ibuprofen/Motrin) is a safe way to get some relief. Of course, always take it as directed. Alternate a warm and cold compress every 20 minutes to keep swelling at bay.[10]

Another thing to do is rest your joint. Don’t eat any hard foods, chew gum, or clench your teeth. It’s important to relax the muscles around your jaw. It doesn’t hurt to use your hands to massage your facial muscles. There are even physical therapy exercises you can do to help ease tension around your face and TMJ.

Since stress can make us tense up or clench our teeth, our lifestyles may also be playing into ear and jaw pain. Do your best to relax. Go for a walk. Take a warm bath. Listen to relaxing music. Quit your job (just kidding). Do what you can to put your well-being first.

Remember – prolonged discomfort and pain isn’t normal, and it isn’t something you should try to treat on your own. Your body is talking to you and telling you that something is wrong.

Overcoming Ear And Jaw Pain

Sinus pressure, headaches, ear, and jaw pain can all be interrelated. Sometimes it’s because of clenching and grinding your teeth, other times it’s due to underlying TMJ disorder. By ruling out underlying factors, you can do so detective work to find out if what hurts is actually what hurts, or if it’s some type of referred pain. If home care techniques don’t help, it’s time to talk to your dentist or doctor about finding the true cause and solution of your discomfort.

Lower jaw toothache and ear pain in the same side: what is it?

Ever experienced lower jaw toothache and ear pain in the same side and wondered why? Sometimes the ear and jaw pain on the same side is so intertwined, that person doesn’t really figure out if originates in the former or the latter. In this article, we are going to explain all the possible reasons with their solutions for ear or jaw pain. So if you are looking for the answer to your pain in these areas, make sure not to miss this article.

How come toothache and ear are related?

Even though the ear and jaw are anatomically two distinct areas, they come in a very close relationship when it comes to the nerve supply. Toothache can cause ear pain and vice versa. There are two main reasons for this connection:

• Nerve supply
• Anatomical structures

The muscle in the ear is supplied by the same nerve that innervates the muscles in the lower jaw that are responsible for chewing. This nerve is also responsible for the innervation of the teeth. This explains why toothache in the lower jaw can trigger pain in the ear area as well. 

The lower jaw and the ear canal are positioned in a way that has a close interaction with each other. Sometimes these two might cross paths and work together. However, most of the time one triggers the other. So the next time you ask why my ear hurts when I chew something, you might know the reasons. But how? Let us explain.

Inflammation, joint disorders, infection in the bone and joint, or any other trigger that causes pain in TMJ, are also felt in the ear.

Toothache and earache at the same time

As we have mentioned before, our ears and jaws are in such close proximity that the culprit behind ear pain or tooth pain could be either one of them. Many external or internal factors, affect one of the two links between the jaw and ear, resulting in simultaneous pain. The factors contributing to these conditions are listed below from the most common to the least ones:

• Temporomandibular joint disoreder
• Dental problems
• Tooth grinding and bruxism
• Ear infection
• Jaw injuries
• Trigeminal neuralgia

Temporomandibular joint disorder

TMJ is adjacent to the inner and middle ear. this joint is responsible for jaw mobility and plays a crucial role in speaking and chewing. TMJ engages these joints and surrounding muscles and ligaments. The most common symptoms are:

• Jaw pain and tenderness
• Joint pain on one or both sides
• Pain and discomfort in the ear
• Pain in the face 
• Headache
• Limited jaw mobility resulting in difficulty chewing and opening the mouth

The pain in the jaw and ear is sharp and consistent with a feeling of pressure in the ear canal. A wide variety of reasons can cause TMJ including bite abnormalities and malocclusion, osteoarthritis, bruxism, types of arthritis, jaw injury, psychological reasons, and wear or tear.

Treatment: The treatment options vary based on the underlying cause. Using over-the-counter muscle relaxants and painkillers can help manage the pain. Anti-inflammatory agents are also useful. Medical intervention is required regardless of the source of the problem. Surgery is usually the last resort. Consult with your doctor for the best treatment plan and a fast recovery. 

Dental Problems

Dental problems are among the prime suspects when it comes to lower jaw toothache and ear pain in the same time. The connection between the teeth and jaws and the indirect link to the ears are responsible for this pain radiation. The most common dental problems to be blamed for pain in the ears and jaws are:

• Dental abscess
• Malocclusion
• Cavities
• Wisdom tooth eruption
• Broken tooth

But how?

Dental abscess

A dental abscess is a dental infection that was left untreated and pus formed around the tooth or inside the gum. This pus formation and inflammation around the infected tooth causes swelling. The swelling presses the nerve which leads to an excruciating toothache that can radiate to the ear on the same side. This problem is usually accompanied by bad breath, gum bleeding, and pain while eating.

Treatment: Draining the pus and cleaning the bacterial infection, relieves the pain. The doctor prescribes antibiotics to prevent recurrent infections. Sometimes root canal treatments or tooth extraction are essential. Home remedies such as cold compress can help reduce the pain until the patient receives professional treatment.

Malocclusion

Misalignment in the jaw leads to uneven bite force distribution resulting in pain. This uneven force puts more pressure on teeth and subsequently the jaw joint. As a result, the jaw movements become painful, the person finds difficulty opening the mouth, and chewing. These movements also leave a great impact on the ear canal, causing discomfort and pain. This condition affects muscle arrangement as well. Following the poor distribution of the biting force and improper function of the jaw joint, jaw muscles work more to compensate for this deficiency. After a while, this extra work causes muscle exhaustion. Muscles become stiff and spastic, which is a very painful condition. The agony is also felt in the ear,  as this stiffness also affects the muscle in that area. 

Treatment: For resolving this issue, the patient can benefit from orthodontic treatments that fix the occlusion.

Cavities

Toothache, mouth pain, jaw pain, and pain in the ear can indicate tooth decay or dental cavity. When your molar teeth at the back of your mouth are affected, the pain travels all the way to the ear on the same side. This is due to the common innervation of the teeth and ears.

Treatment: Proper treatment such as filling, root canal, or tooth extraction also results in subsiding the pain. 

Wisdom tooth eruption

An Impacted wisdom tooth that is trapped inside the gum tissue is another trigger for sharp pain in your jaw and ear on the same side. The wisdom tooth that hasn’t erupted yet, puts a lot of pressure on the neighboring teeth and the gums. If the wisdom doesn’t come out on its own, the dentist should interfere and extract it. By removing the source of the pressure, the pain in the jaw bone and ear on the tooth side will vanish. On the other hand, sometimes the tooth pushes the adjacent tissues while erupting. The pain continues until the tooth comes out. Painkillers can be beneficial for this occasional pain.

Broken tooth

One reason behind the simultaneous lower jaw toothache and ear pain can be a broken tooth. When a tooth breaks, the nerve becomes exposed to many pain triggers. The nerve connection between teeth and the ear causes ear pain when the nerve is triggered. 

Treatment: Root canal treatment is the best choice for an exposed nerve. Other options include dental crowns, fillings, and implants.

Tooth grinding and bruxism

Grinding and clenching teeth put a lot of pressure on not only the teeth and jaw bone but also the joints and the muscles. Teeth grinding can affect the structures as far as the neck. The pressure imposed on the jaw bone and the temporomandibular joint is also transferred to the ear, resulting in pain. Chronic bruxism causes the teeth to be worn down and finally break and fall off. 

Treatment: Wearing a mouthguard can help with this condition. Stress management and avoiding stressful situations are other helpful ways to get rid of jaw and ear pain.

Ear infection

Because of the similar nerve, an ear infection can cause toothache on the same side as the infected ear. This infection can happen as a result of several reasons and the most common one is a moist ear canal. This is the perfect place for bacterial growth. The pain usually radiates to the molar teeth on the same side and leads to toothache, jaw, and ear pain on the same side at the same side.

Treatment: Treating the infection is the solution to alleviate this pain. The doctor prescribes antibiotics and drops to eradicate the infection completely. OTC painkillers come in handy for this regional pain.

Jaw injuries

Ever felt ear and jaw pain after an incident? A fall? A minor accident? Or after someone hit you on the head? This can indicate your jaw has been injured. A broken jaw or injury to the muscles in this area causes pain that can go as far as the ear. In addition to that, jaw injury can damage the tooth up to the tooth root, and even in severe cases cause the tooth to become loose. This toothache due to trauma radiates to the jaw bone and ear, causing pain on the injured side.

Treatment: In cases like this medical intervention is required. The pain is manageable by over-the-counter pain relieving agents, but the patient should visit a doctor as soon as possible to seek treatment and surgeries if needed.

Trigeminal neuralgia

A not very common, yet possible reason for toothache, and jaw and ear pain on the same side is called trigeminal neuralgia. This is a condition that originates from the trigeminal nerve. This nerve is responsible for the nervous supply of not only the jaws and ears but the face. Trigeminal neuralgia occurs as a result of many conditions such as:

• Facial trauma
• After a dental procedure
• The trigeminal nerve is pressed by other structures or blood vessels.

Patients who suffer from this condition, describe it as a sharp sudden pain that radiates to the teeth, ear, and jaw, as well as facial pain. These episodes of pain are short, usually lasting from a few seconds to at most 2 minutes. 

Treatment: The doctors prescribe specific medications that block the transferring path of the pain to relieve it. Sometimes surgery is performed to release the nerve from the pressure.

When is too late to visit my dentist?

Usually, it is recommended to visit your dentist, if your toothache persists for more than two days. It is never too late to visit your dentist to seek treatment, but sometimes you might need to take action faster.

If you have simultaneous lower jaw toothache and ear pain on one side, some symptoms may indicate that you are a bit late for your dental visit. These symptoms include:

• Tooth Sensitivity
• Bleeding gums
• Swollen gums
• Chronic bad breath
• Tooth loosening
• Tooth loss
• Difficulty in opening the mouth or chewing
• Throbbing pain that disturbs sleep at nights

These signs show the tooth infection has spread and reached the root, affecting the jaw joint as well. If a dental problem, especially in the lower jaw, is associated with pain and discomfort in the ear the patient should immediately visit their dentist. This prevents further complications and helps subside the pain in the tooth, jaw, and ear at the same time.

References:

Gauer RL, Semidey MJ. Diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2015 Mar 15;91(6):378-86. PMID: 25822556.

Jaw hurts. What to do about jaw pain?

Author: Sergey Brodsky
Chief physician of the clinic, candidate of medical
Sciences by specialty: dentistry and medical microbiology

• Traumatic causes
• Dental pain
• Inflammatory diseases
• Dental neurology
• Neoplasms
• TMJ diseases
• Causes of radiating pain

Jaw pain is one of the most common dental complaints. It is not always based on diseases of the dentoalveolar system. Symptoms often occur against the background of neurological abnormalities, inflammatory processes, existing pathologies of the cardiovascular system, lymph nodes and respiratory organs.

Traumatic causes

In most cases, trauma is the root cause of jaw pain. The degree of damage determines the nature and intensity of the accompanying symptoms:

• Contusion occurs as a result of soft tissue trauma without bone damage. In addition to the pain syndrome, swelling, bruises, hematomas are observed.
• Dislocation is a consequence of excessive overload of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Often, the primary source is such dystrophic diseases as jaw arthrosis and arthritis of the jaw. Trauma leads to the fact that the TMJ disk is displaced from the joint capsule, and the person is unable to cover his mouth. There is a violation of chewing and speech functions.
• Fracture entails hemorrhage, intense sharp pain in the upper jaw, swelling. The most dangerous type of injury is a fracture of the lower jaw. The victim must be immobilized and taken to a medical facility where a surgical operation will be performed.

ATTENTION! Jaw pain often recurs after the wound has been sutured. Pain can be caused by bone displacement, malunion, repeated fractures, or damage to a splint to fix nerves and tissues.

Dental pain

Pain after the installation of braces when correcting an overbite is a normal condition, since there is a displacement of the dental units. They begin to move in the direction set by the design, so there is pain in the jaw, which lasts no more than a month, while the body gets used to it.

ATTENTION! Unpleasant sensations and discomfort are also considered a natural reaction in the first 2-4 days after prosthetics.

Often, the lower and upper jaws begin to hurt as a result of poor-quality treatment. Incorrectly installed dental constructions and fillings can cause changes in the bite.

Inflammatory diseases

Inflammatory processes and infectious lesions sometimes lead to the fact that it is painful for a person to open his mouth. At the same time, the body temperature rises, swelling and a certain formation with purulent contents occur. Similar diseases are:

• Furuncle — an abscess on the skin of the face.
• Phlegmon is manifested by an inflammatory process without clear contours.
• Abscess – limited purulent tissue damage.
• Osteomyelitis of the jaw is characterized by inflammation of the bone due to infection through the bloodstream.

Dental neurology

Neurological factors in dentistry are diseases of the facial nerves, which are accompanied by impaired salivation, chewing and speech. Subject to inflammation:

• Superior laryngeal nerve . Pain is observed under the lower jaw. When you open your mouth, it intensifies.
• Trigeminal nerve. Uncomfortable unpleasant sensations appear only on the right or left.
• Glossopharyngeal nerve. Acute attacks of pain first appear in the tongue and then spread to other parts of the face. A single character of symptoms is observed: at the same time, the jaw hurts on the left side and on the right edge.

Neoplasms

Pain in the jaw can also be caused by various neoplasms, which are divided into two categories:

• Benign e: adamantinoma, osteoblastoclastoma, osteoma. Such diseases are characterized by thickening of tissues, increased pain during chewing, and asymmetry of the face. However, many benign neoplasms are asymptomatic for a very long time. Surgical removal required.
• Malignant: sarcoma, cancer. Such formations grow very quickly, affecting the bone and soft tissues, the joint. In addition to surgical treatment, chemotherapy and radiation are prescribed.

TMJ diseases

Anomalies and pathologies of the TMJ are characterized by the simultaneous appearance of pain in the jaw, ear area, crunching and clicking when opening the mouth, limited movements. The joint becomes more constrained, the process of talking and chewing is difficult. Common TMJ disorders are:

• Arthritis . The joint is affected by the inflammatory process.
• Arthrosis. A dystrophic lesion of a non-infectious nature brings aching pain, the jaw hurts when moving and opening.
• TMJ dysfunction is characteristic of all diseases affecting the temporomandibular joint. Probable causes: bite pathologies, infectious processes, injuries, overexertion of the jaw discs and facial muscles.

Causes of radiating pain

Often, pain in the jaw occurs as a result of existing diseases of other systems and organs, and not damage to the TMJ. These pathologies include:

Disease	Causes, features
Red ear syndrome	Root cause: damage to brain structures
Carotidini i	A type of migraine. Radiating pain radiates to the lower jaw, eye sockets, ears
Lymphadenitis	Develops against the background of inflammatory processes in the lymph nodes. They increase, body temperature rises, general weakness and fatigue are observed
Arteritis of the facial artery	Discomfort in the upper part of the face (from the wings of the nose to the upper lip) or in the lower part (from the chin to the corner)
Sialoadenitis and sialolith	Blockage of the salivary glands, followed by inflammation. Jaw often hurts when opening
Heart attack and angina	Impaired blood flow leads to pressure behind the sternum, radiating to the arm or face on the left side

Submandibular sialadenitis, sialonitis and lymphadenitis can cause the appearance of an abscess, phlegmon, followed by damage to the temporomandibular joint.

Often, radiating pain is observed in otitis media, parotitis (“mumps”), tumors of the larynx, diseases of the respiratory system (sinusitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis). In this case, the following symptoms appear: fever, purulent or serous discharge from the nasopharynx, swelling of the mucous membrane.

Professional specialists of the dental clinic “Partner Med” will help to identify the root cause of the pain in the jaw, determine how serious your case is and draw up an optimal dental treatment plan. Our arsenal includes many years of experience, modern diagnostic methods, and an individual approach. Trust the professionals!

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Pain in the jaw – General information, Causes. Tomsk

General

The jaws form the basis for the teeth and are the point of attachment in the mouth. The upper jaw is a paired bone, which consists of a body and four processes: frontal, zygomatic, palatine and alveolar, the lower free edge of which is an alveolar arch, bearing dental alveoli. In the body of the bone is the maxillary (maxillary) sinus. The upper jaw is involved in the formation of the eye sockets, nasal cavity and hard palate.

Pain in the jaw in diseases

Causes of pain in the jaw can be very different. Most often, these are jaw fractures or other, rarer causes. As a result of a strong blow to the face, an accident may occur fracture of the upper or lower jaw . The consequence of a severe head injury may be a fracture of the upper and lower jaws at the same time.

Jaw fracture is a violation of the integrity of the jaw bone under the influence of mechanical stress. Fractures can be:

• direct and reflected;

• single and multiple;

• with and without displacement of bone fragments;

• open and closed.

All types of jaw fractures are characterized by such signs as:

Osteomyelitis of the jaws is an infectious inflammatory process affecting all elements of the jaw bone. Distinguish osteomyelitis:

Cause of odontogenic osteomyelitis – microflora of root canals of teeth and periodontal pockets (streptococcus, staphylococcus, anaerobes). In acute osteomyelitis, spontaneous throbbing pain in the jaw , headache, chills, temperature up to 40 °C are observed. Puffy asymmetrical face. The transitional fold is hyperemic and smoothed. Lymph nodes are enlarged, painful. Osteomyelitis is often complicated by abscess, phlegmon. General condition of varying severity.

Temporomandibular joint dysfunction causes pain not only in the joint area, but also in the forehead, temple, and lower jaw. It is accompanied by clicking or limitation of movement in the joint. Examination reveals local tenderness, crepitus when opening the mouth, abnormal position of the articular surfaces, and limited movement of the mandible.

Neuralgia

Cranial neuralgia is the result of sharp and very strong impulses from the affected cranial nerves. The most common is trigeminal neuralgia. It is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Unilateral, sudden attacks of acute, jerking, burning, cutting pain in the zone of innervation of one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve.

• The pain rarely occurs at night and is never felt behind the ear and in the lower part of the mandible.

Superior laryngeal nerve neuralgia is characterized by paroxysmal unilateral or bilateral pain in the larynx (usually at the level of the upper part of the thyroid cartilage or hyoid bone) and the angle of the lower jaw, radiating to the eye, ear, chest and shoulder girdle and accompanied by:

• hiccups;

• hypersalivation;

• coughing.

Pain provoked by swallowing, yawning, coughing, blowing nose, head movements . Carbamazepine (Finlepsin) and local anesthesia in the zone of the hyothyroid membrane are effective.

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is rare. It is manifested by paroxysmal pain, which spreads to the pharynx, ear, angle of the jaw, and sometimes radiates to the eyeball. Pain attacks occur suddenly with movements of the tongue or pharynx, during a conversation or eating, last up to 3 minutes. During an attack, it is often noted:

• dry mouth;

• dry cough;

• increased salivation;

• the posture of patients with an inclination of the head towards a pain is characteristic;

• pain on palpation of the point behind the angle of the lower jaw.

Neuralgia of the ear node is manifested by burning paroxysmal pains (attack duration up to 1 hour) in the temporal region in front of the external auditory canal, often radiating to the lower jaw, chin, sometimes teeth. The pain attack is accompanied by hypersalivation and clicking sounds in the ear on the side of the pathological process. Pain can provoke the intake of hot or cold food, hypothermia of the face. Characterized by pain when pressing on a point between external ear canal .

If the facial artery is affected, the pain is burning in nature, begins in the lower (from the chin to the angle of the lower jaw) or upper (in the region of the upper lip, wings of the nose or nasolabial fold) jaw. A typical symptom is the presence of pain at the site of the inflection of the facial artery through base of the lower jaw.

Carotidinia is characterized by attacks of pain lasting several hours and localized in the upper neck, face, ear, lower jaw, teeth. This pain can be provoked by palpation of the common carotid artery near the bifurcation. In most cases, carotidinia is a variant of migraine. Sometimes similar symptoms occur with temporal arteritis, dissection of the carotid artery, or its displacement by a tumor.

Odontogenic pain in the region of the upper and lower jaw often due to:

• nerve irritation in caries;

• dental pulp diseases;

• periodontal abscesses.

It worsens at night, has a pulsating character and is often accompanied by local soreness in the region of the root of the tooth. Sometimes chronic facial pain is caused by limited osteomyelitis of the jaw with the formation of microabscesses. After tooth extraction or dental operations, trigeminal neuropathy, manifested by a decrease in sensitivity in the lower lip, weakness of the masticatory muscles.

Osteogenic sarcoma accounts for 22% of malignant non-epithelial tumors of the jaws. It can be manifested by deformation of the affected bone, facial pain, moderate pain on palpation. Sometimes, before the onset of pain, numbness occurs, a violation of sensitivity in the area of ​​​​the exit of the infraorbital or chin nerves.

Erythrootalgia or red ear syndrome is characterized by intense burning pain in the ear, sometimes radiating to the forehead, occiput, lower jaw, accompanied by redness and fever of the auricle (due to dilation of skin vessels). The cause of the syndrome can be:

• cervical spondylosis;

• temporomandibular joint dysfunction;

• atypical neuralgia of the glossopharyngeal nerve;

• thalamus lesion;

• idiopathic hypersensitivity of pain fibers to heat.

Treatment

Treatment of pain in the jaws with nerve damage depends on the nature of the pathology. Usually, drugs are given first, and if they are ineffective, they resort to surgical cutting of the nerves.

Treating jaw pain caused by nerve pathology by medication , and only if it is ineffective, the nerve is surgically suppressed. Recall that in no case should you self-medicate, and if you are sure that the pain is associated with the joint, then go to the doctor to identify the true causes of the pain.

Treatment of a jaw fracture is the prerogative of the doctor.