What are the common causes of jaw and ear pain. How can you differentiate between primary and referred otalgia. What treatments are available for various types of ear and jaw discomfort. When should you seek medical attention for pain at the base of your ear and jaw.

Understanding the Connection Between Jaw and Ear Pain

The intricate relationship between the jaw and ear often leads to simultaneous pain in both areas. This phenomenon occurs due to their close anatomical proximity and shared nerve pathways. When discomfort arises in one region, it can easily radiate to the other, causing confusion about the true source of the problem.

Jaw and ear pain can stem from various conditions, ranging from minor irritations to more serious medical issues. Identifying the root cause is crucial for effective treatment and relief. Let’s explore some of the most common reasons behind this dual discomfort.

TMJ Disorders: A Leading Cause of Jaw and Ear Pain

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are among the most frequent culprits behind concurrent jaw and ear pain. The TMJ, located adjacent to the temporal bone of the inner ear, can become inflamed, leading to discomfort in both areas.

Symptoms of TMJ Disorders

• Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing the mouth
• Pain while chewing
• Persistent headaches or migraines
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Hearing loss
• Shoulder and neck pain
• Teeth shifting

Do TMJ disorders always cause ear pain? While ear pain is a common symptom of TMJ disorders, not everyone with TMJ issues will experience it. The severity and manifestation of symptoms can vary from person to person.

Dental Issues and Their Impact on Jaw and Ear Pain

Dental problems can be a significant source of jaw and ear discomfort. Conditions such as periodontal disease, cavities, dental abscesses, or bacterial buildup on teeth and gums can lead to pain that radiates to both the jaw and ear regions.

Signs of Dental-Related Jaw and Ear Pain

• Tooth sensitivity
• Facial pain
• Loose teeth
• Sensitivity to hot or cold beverages
• Swollen gums

Is dental treatment always necessary for jaw and ear pain relief? In many cases, addressing underlying dental issues can significantly alleviate jaw and ear pain. However, a thorough examination by a dentist is essential to determine the appropriate course of action.

Swimmer’s Ear: A Common Cause of Ear and Jaw Discomfort

Swimmer’s ear, or otitis externa, is an infection of the outer ear canal that can cause pain in both the ear and jaw. This condition often results from water exposure or injury to the ear’s lining, allowing bacteria to flourish.

Recognizing Swimmer’s Ear

1. Recent water exposure or ear injury
2. Pain that worsens when touching the outer ear
3. Itching in the ear canal
4. Redness and swelling of the outer ear
5. Drainage of clear, odorless fluid

Can swimmer’s ear resolve on its own? While mild cases of swimmer’s ear may improve without treatment, it’s generally recommended to seek medical attention. Proper diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and provide faster relief.

Arthritis and Its Role in Jaw and Ear Pain

Arthritis, a condition often associated with other joints in the body, can also affect the temporomandibular joint, leading to jaw and ear pain. Several types of arthritis can impact this area:

Types of Arthritis Affecting the Jaw

• Osteoarthritis: Caused by wear and tear of the cartilage surrounding the joint
• Rheumatoid arthritis: An autoimmune condition that attacks healthy joints
• Psoriatic arthritis: Associated with psoriasis, causing joint inflammation

How can you differentiate between TMJ disorders and arthritis in the jaw? While both conditions can cause similar symptoms, arthritis in the jaw often presents with more widespread joint pain and stiffness throughout the body. A rheumatologist or TMJ specialist can help make an accurate diagnosis.

Understanding Otalgia: Primary vs. Referred Ear Pain

Otalgia, the medical term for ear pain, can be categorized into two types: primary and referred. Understanding the difference between these categories is crucial for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Primary Otalgia

Primary otalgia is caused by a problem within the ear itself. Common causes include:

• Ear infections (otitis media, otitis externa)
• Trauma to the ear canal
• Ear wax impaction
• Eustachian tube dysfunction
• Meniere’s syndrome

Primary otalgia is often accompanied by other ear-related symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo.

Referred Otalgia

Referred otalgia originates from a problem in a nearby structure but is felt in the ear. This type of ear pain is more common than primary otalgia. Causes of referred otalgia include:

• TMJ disorders
• Dental problems
• Neck pathology
• Throat infections
• Sinus conditions

In cases of referred otalgia, other ear symptoms like hearing loss or vertigo are typically absent.

How can doctors distinguish between primary and referred otalgia? Physicians use a combination of patient history, physical examination, and sometimes imaging studies to determine the source of ear pain. The presence or absence of other ear symptoms often provides valuable clues.

Risk Factors and Triggers for Jaw and Ear Pain

Several factors can increase the likelihood of experiencing jaw and ear pain or exacerbate existing discomfort. Being aware of these triggers can help in prevention and management of symptoms.

Common Risk Factors

• Anxiety and stress
• Bruxism (teeth grinding)
• Taking large bites of food
• Excessive yawning
• Nail biting
• Prolonged gum chewing
• Poor posture, especially during office work
• History of jaw or neck injury

Can lifestyle modifications help reduce jaw and ear pain? In many cases, simple changes in daily habits can significantly alleviate discomfort. These may include stress management techniques, avoiding excessive jaw movements, and maintaining good posture.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Jaw and Ear Pain

Proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of jaw and ear pain. Healthcare providers may use various methods to determine the underlying cause:

Diagnostic Approaches

1. Detailed medical history
2. Physical examination of the jaw, ears, and surrounding areas
3. Dental x-rays or other imaging studies
4. Hearing tests
5. TMJ-specific examinations

Treatment options vary depending on the cause of the pain but may include:

• Pain medication
• Antibiotics for infections
• Dental treatments
• TMJ-specific therapies (e.g., splints, physical therapy)
• Stress management techniques
• Lifestyle modifications
• Surgery in severe cases

What is the most effective treatment for jaw and ear pain? The most effective treatment depends on the underlying cause. A personalized approach, often combining multiple therapies, typically yields the best results.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Jaw and Ear Pain

While some cases of jaw and ear pain may resolve on their own, certain symptoms warrant prompt medical attention:

• Severe or persistent pain
• Sudden onset of symptoms
• Fever accompanying the pain
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
• Sudden changes in hearing
• Swelling in the jaw or ear area
• Pain that interferes with daily activities

Should you see a dentist or a doctor for jaw and ear pain? The choice depends on the suspected cause. If dental issues are likely, start with a dentist. For ear-specific concerns, consult an ENT specialist. For persistent or complex cases, a multidisciplinary approach involving various specialists may be necessary.

Understanding the intricate relationship between jaw and ear pain is crucial for effective management and treatment. By recognizing common causes, risk factors, and warning signs, individuals can take proactive steps towards relief and prevention. Remember, persistent or severe symptoms should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

4 Causes Of Jaw And Ear Pain

TMJ Treatment |3 min read

published February 16, 2020Last updated June 30, 2023

It’s possible to experience jaw and ear pain simultaneously for lots of different reasons. Although your ears and jaws are located in different areas, their close proximity can affect one another. Oftentimes when you develop a medical condition in your mouth, jaw, or ear, it can cause referred pain in the jaw and ear. If you’re experience jaw and ear pain at the same time, it might be due to the following problems.

1. TMJ Disorders

TMJ disorders are one of the most common causes of jaw and ear pain. This is due to the temporomandibular joint being adjacent to the temporal bone which is apart of the inner ear. When the temporomandibular joint becomes inflamed it can cause pain and discomfort in the ears as well as the jaw. People might experience a muffled sound in the ears accompanied by pain. If you suspect TMJ is the culprit, visiting Bite Align for a TMJ consultation is the best place to start. With the right TMJ treatment, we can resolve your ear and jaw pain for good.

Symptoms of TMJ include clicking or popping noise in the jaw when opening and closing your mouth, pain when chewing, headaches or constant migraines, ear ringing, hearing loss, shoulder and neck pain, and even teeth shifting. Please schedule a consultation with us to learn more.

2. Dental Issues

If you have periodontal disease, cavities, dental abscesses, or a build-up of bacteria on your gums and teeth, it can cause severe pain in your jaw and ears. If you experience tooth sensitivity, pain in your face, loose teeth, sensitivity to cold or hot beverages, or swelling in the gums, it’s best to get checked out by your dentist. Treating your dental problems might be all you need to relieve jaw and ear pain.

3. Swimmer’s Ear

You may have experienced swimmer’s ear at some point in your life. It generally occurs from an injury like tearing the ear’s lining or water exposure that causes bacteria to form in the outer ear. These bacteria can cause painful symptoms like ear and jaw pain. If you believe you injured your ear or recently got water in your ear, visiting a doctor to see if you have swimmer’s ear can help you treat your pain.

4. Arthritis

Although most people don’t think about getting arthritis in the jaw, it can occur. Osteoarthritis can occur in the temporomandibular joint which can cause ear and jaw pain. It usually develops from wear and tear to the cartilage surrounding the joint over time. Rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis can also cause jaw and ear pain because it causes the immune system to attack healthy joints. This can cause joint pain throughout the body including the temporomandibular joint.

Get Treatment for Ear and Jaw Pain

One of the best ways to treat jaw and ear pain is to rule out what causes it. Visiting Bite Align in Fort Atkinson for a consultation can help you identify if TMJ is the cause or a condition that affects the temporomandibular joint. Please call 920-563-7323 or book an appointment online today.

Otalgia Ear Ache or Ear Pain

What Is Otalgia?

Otalgia is the medical word for ear ache or ear pain. It may be burning, stabbing, dull, sharp, sore, full, or clogged. There are many causes that range from benign to serious. Benign causes are more common than serious ones.

What Causes Otalgia?

There are two categories of otalgia. Primary otalgia is caused by a problem with the ear. Referred otalgia is caused by a problem of another structure usually near the ear. Referred otalgia is much more common than primary otalgia.

What Are Common Ear Causes of Otalgia?

Ear infections are the most common cause of ear pain in this category. Swimmer’s ear (infection of the ear canal) and otitis media (fluid or infection behind the ear drum) cause primary ear pain. Trauma to the ear with a cotton tipped applicator or finger nail may also cause ear pain and ear wax impaction. Dull ache or fullness may also result be experienced. Under ventilated ears (Eustachian tube dysfunction) or excess fluid in the inner ear (Meniere’s syndrome) should be considered by your doctor. Very rarely otalgia is a sign of malignancy (cancer) of the ear. Usually primary ear pain will cause hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo as a clue that the ear is directly involved.

What Are Common Causes of Referred Otalgia?

In referred otalgia, other ear symptoms like hearing loss, tinnitus, or vertigo are usually absent. The jaw joint and muscles are the most common cause of referred otalgia. Anxiety, stress, bruxism (grinding teeth), large bites of food, excessive yawning, nail biting, and excessive gum chewing are risk factors. Strain of the chewing muscles or sprain of the jaw joint can occur.

Neck pathology can also cause referred otalgia. Anxiety, stress, arthritis, whiplash injury, excessive office work, excessive cell phone scrolling, and neck popping are risk factors.

Gingivitis, cavities, and infected or abscessed teeth can cause referred ear pain along with dental problems.

Trigeminal neuralgia (nerve pain) may cause referred ear pain along with stabbing cheek pain after light touch or wind exposure.

Cancers of the head and neck may cause referred ear pain. Throat cancer may present with ear pain associated with difficulty swallowing or hoarseness. Cancer of the salivary glands may cause ear pain, mass of the cheek/jaw/neck, or facial droop.

Where Does Treatment Start?

With otalgia, the response to treatment can be useful to help find the culprit. Most causes are not serious. Conservative treatment is a good place to start. If you have risk factors for jaw strain/sprain, begin by resting your jaw. Maintain a soft diet for 1 week. Stop chewing gum and hard candies. Apply ice and/or heat to your jaw joint. Take ibuprofen daily for a week. Consider talking to your dentist about a bite guard to wear at night so that you do not grind your teeth. Also, if you have hurting teeth, you may be compensating your bite in a way that strains your jaw. Have this evaluated by your dentist as well.

If you have risk factors for neck strain take regular breaks when straining you neck. Stop habitual popping or cracking your neck. Take breaks from looking down at your cell phone. Take ibuprofen daily for a week. Consider neck physical therapy especially if you have had a whiplash injury.

If conservative measures do not work or if you have red flag symptoms such as hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, mass, facial droop an evaluation of your ear pain is recommended. It is important to find the cause of persistent ear pain and make sure the ear is healthy.

Ear pain

Ear pain

Pain in the ear (or otalgia) is a condition that can be caused by various factors.

The nature of pain in the ear can be different: aching and “shooting”, pressing. At the same time, if pain sensations are localized mainly in the area of ​​​​the external auditory canal and intensify with pressure on the tragus, then this indicates in favor of otitis externa.

If the pain is localized mainly in the region of the middle ear and is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, then this indicates the development of otitis media.

If the pain is accompanied by dizziness, then this indicates damage to the internal parts of the ear.

Causes

• hypertrophy of lymph nodes in the region of the mouths of the Eustachian tubes and/or the lateral wall of the pharynx;
• inflammatory and changes in the root of the tongue and epiglottis;
• traumatic injuries of the ear and parotid tissues;
• adenoids;
• irritation of the temporal branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve;
• bacterial or viral infections;
• irritation of the intermediate nerve – branches of the facial nerve;
• diseases of the teeth and temporomandibular joint;
• irradiation of pain from areas innervated by the greater auricular, vagus, trigeminal and lesser occipital nerves;
• pathology of the cervical spine (with osteoarthritis, myalgia).

Classification

Depending on the cause:

• primary pain in the ear (otalgia) – characterized by constant pain in the ear as a result of damage to its structural sections: more often as a result of inflammation of the outer or middle ear sections; children get sick more often;
• secondary pain in the ear (otalgia) – characterized by periodic pain in the ear without violating the integrity of its structural sections: more often as a result of irradiation of pain from areas that are innervated by the vagus, large ear, trigeminal, small occipital nerves; in diseases of the temporomandibular joints and teeth; older people get sick more often.

Depending on the time characteristics:

• acute pain in the ear (otalgia) – short in time; easily identifiable cause; usually localized in a certain area; responds well to treatment;
• chronic pain in the ear (otalgia) – pain lasting about 6 months or more, the cause of the onset is difficult to identify; with inaccurate localization; poorly treatable.

Signs

In acute external limited otitis media:

• appearance of a furuncle in the ear canal;
• discharge from the ear, with a sharp unpleasant odor;
• irradiation of pain in the jaw and eye area;

In acute diffuse otitis externa:

• severe ear pain;
• fever;
• stuffy ear;
• discharge from the ear, with a sharp unpleasant odor;
• irradiation of pain in the jaw and eye area;

In acute suppurative otitis media:

• congestion and discomfort in the ear;
• sharp character of pain;
• purulent discharge from the ear;
• hearing loss;

In chronic otitis media:

• congestion and discomfort in the ear;
• dull, dull character of pain;
• catarrhal or purulent discharge from the ear;
• hearing loss;

In acute catarrhal otitis media:

• tinnitus;
• sharp character of pain;
• congestion and discomfort in the ear;
• hearing loss;
• catarrhal discharge from the ear;

With internal otitis (labyrinthitis):

• dizziness;
• tinnitus,
• pain in the ear;
• hearing loss;

With typical mastoiditis:

• severe reddening of the skin in the region of the mastoid process;
• pain when probing the mastoid process;

With atypical mastoiditis:

• mild pain;
• slight discharge of pus;
• severe reddening of the skin in the region of the mastoid process;
• pain when probing the mastoid process;

Lymphadenitis:

• swollen lymph nodes located behind the auricle;
• fever;
• headache;
• ear pain;

For osteoarthritis:

• joint pain in the cervical spine:
• indistinctly localized character of pain;
• increased pain on exertion;
• irradiation of pain in the ear;

Myalgia:

• muscle pain in the cervical spine;
• weakness and swelling of the affected area;
• irradiation of pain in the ear;

In severe periodontal disease, caries with pulpitis and periodontitis, basal granulomas:

• pain in the area of ​​the affected tooth;
• irradiation of pain in the ear area.

In what diseases occurs

• acute external limited otitis;
• acute diffuse otitis externa;
• chronic otitis media;
• acute suppurative otitis media;
• adenoids;
• acute catarrhal otitis media;
• otitis media (labyrinthitis) limited;
• diffuse labyrinthitis;
• purulent labyrinthitis;
• non-purulent (serous) labyrinthitis;
• necrotizing labyrinthitis;
• tympanogenic labyrinthitis;
• meningogenic otitis media;
• hematogenous internal otitis;
• typical mastoiditis;
• atypical mastoiditis;
• lymphadenitis;
• irritation of the temporal branch of the glossopharyngeal nerve;
• irritation of the intermediate nerve – branches of the facial nerve;
• irradiation of pain from areas innervated by the greater auricular, vagus, trigeminal and lesser occipital nerves;
• osteoarthritis;
• myalgia;
• severe periodontal disease;
• caries with pulpitis and periodontitis;
• hilar granulomas.

Doctors to contact

• otorhinolaryngologist;
• neurologist;
• dentist.

Flux on gums: causes, symptoms, treatment

Causes

Periostitis is of infectious and traumatic origin. In the first case, the flux on the gums is caused by the bacterial microflora of the oral cavity: staphylococci, streptococci, E. coli, yeast-like fungi. Pathogens penetrate into the periosteum tissues through bone canals, dentinal tubules, and cementum. Infection occurs from foci of tonsillitis, SARS, sinusitis, otitis media, scarlet fever, osteomyelitis.

Most often, dental diseases predispose to the appearance of a flux of an infectious origin:

• alveolitis (inflammation of the tooth socket),

• periodontitis (destruction of periodontal tissues),

• adentia (complete or partial absence of teeth),

• jaw cyst,

• inflammation of unerupted or partially erupted wisdom teeth,

• periodontitis (inflammatory lesions of the soft tissues around the tooth).

Traumatic periostitis is associated with damage to the periosteum:

• trauma or tooth extraction,

• open fracture of the jaw,

• surgical treatment.

The risk of periostitis increases local or general hypothermia, excessive emotional and physical stress, poor oral hygiene. Flux can be the result of untreated caries, the use of anesthetics and arsenic paste for root canal treatment.

Symptoms

Various forms of periostitis have specific clinical manifestations. Inflammation occurs in the lower or upper jaw. The flux begins with swelling of the soft tissues, redness of the mucous membrane at the site of the transitional fold, inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes. As a rule, there is a “causal tooth” in the mouth with pulpitis or periodontitis.

Purulent periostitis occurs as an independent disease or is a symptom of osteomyelitis (infection and destruction of the jaw bones).

Purulent flux is characterized by:

Visually determine the swelling of the soft tissues of the maxillary zone. If the flux affects the upper jaw, the swelling extends to the upper lip, cervical, zygomatic and infraorbital region, the lower jaw – the chin and lower lip swell.

When examining the oral cavity, a subperiosteal abscess is found – a limited dense capsule filled with purulent contents. As periostitis progresses, pus penetrates under the gum, and together with its accumulation, a subgingival abscess is formed. Purulent contents can flow into the mouth through an opening – a fistula. Opening an abscess brings relief.

In chronic periostitis, periods of remission alternate with pain in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe “causative tooth”. The submandibular lymph nodes become inflamed, the configuration of the face changes, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity swells.

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Diagnostics

Abscess, swelling of the gums, pain and hyperemia are the main signs of flux. On examination, a destroyed tooth, untreated caries are found, which served as a source of inflammation of the periosteum.

Radiography reveals:

During the diagnosis, it is necessary to exclude osteomyelitis, abscess, sinusitis (inflammation of the paranasal sinuses), lymphadenitis (inflammation of the lymph nodes), perimaxillary phlegmon (melting of the subcutaneous tissue).

Treatment

The goal of therapy is to eliminate the focus of infection, prevent purulent complications, and save the tooth. Milk and severely damaged teeth are subject to removal, those that have retained functional activity require treatment.

Locally prescribed rinses with disinfectant solutions. To relieve pain, analgesics are taken, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to stop inflammation. Antibacterial agents are selected taking into account the mechanism of development of inflammation and the sensitivity of the infection. In the presence of foci of chronic infections, they are simultaneously sanitized (cleaned).

In addition to conservative treatment, physiotherapy methods are used:

• phonophoresis,

• electrophoresis,

• laser therapy,

• ultrasound,

• impulse currents.

As a rule, with a timely visit to the dentist, conservative measures are sufficient to resolve the flux.

Purulent flux on the gums is an indication for surgical treatment. Under local anesthesia, a purulent cavity is opened, a drain is inserted into the wound to drain the pus.

After the operation, patients are prescribed a sparing diet, antibacterial drugs, analgesics, antiseptic rinses.

Important! Flux complications, such as sepsis, osteomyelitis, brain abscess, soft tissue phlegmon, pose a threat to life.

The prognosis depends on timely seeking medical help and the quality of treatment. Under favorable conditions, the tooth can be saved, recovery occurs in 5-7 days.