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Pain in ear and neck and jaw: 8 Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

by alexxlab

8 Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

You may experience jaw and ear pain at the same time. These 8 reasons can help you understand why the cause may be related to only your jaw or ears, but the pain spills over from the other area.

If you notice both ear and jaw pain simultaneously, it may be because of several reasons.

A medical condition in your jaw, ear, or mouth can cause the pain. Another possibility is that you’re experiencing “referred pain,” which happens when a part of your body feels pain even though the source of the pain is located somewhere else.

Below are some conditions that can cause pain in both your jaw and ears at the same time, in large part because of their close proximity.

1. TMJ disorders

One source of ear and jaw pain may be related to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This area includes not only the jaw joint but also the muscles surrounding it.

The TMJ is adjacent to the temporal bone, which includes your inner ear. The TMJ does a lot of work, moving in many directions so you can chew and talk.

Ear and jaw pain may occur from a TMJ disorder. Around 10 to 15 percent of adults may experience a TMJ disorder. These disorders cause inflammation and pain in your TMJ. Facial pain and ear discomfort are the most common complaints of this condition. You may have a chronic TMJ disorder if you experience symptoms for longer than three months.

You may develop a TMJ disorder from wear and tear or because of another medical condition. In some cases, your doctor may suspect a TMJ disorder, but you actually have something else like:

  • fibromyalgia
  • sleep apnea
  • anxiety
  • depression

2. Osteoarthritis

Ear and jaw pain could be caused by osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis in the TMJ. This condition develops from wear and tear over time to the cartilage surrounding the joint. You may feel stiffness in the joint as well as pain.

3. Rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis

These forms of arthritis occur because your immune system attacks healthy joints. Both rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis are identified as autoimmune conditions.

You may experience joint pain throughout your body at different times, including in your TMJ, and certain triggers may cause the pain to flare up.

4. Migraine

Pain felt in your jaw and ears near the TMJ area may trigger migraine. Migraine attacks are severe headaches that can re-occur. They can cause sensitivity to light, sound, and smell.

5. Swimmer’s ear

This condition occurs when bacteria forms in the outer ear from water exposure or injury. You may get this condition from swimming or if an outside object tears your ear’s lining. The symptoms will get worse if the condition is untreated and can lead to ear and jaw pain.

6. Sinusitis

You may experience ear and jaw pain from sinusitis. This condition can occur if you have a cold or allergies and your nasal passages become irritated and inflamed. The infection is generally caused by a virus, but you can also get bacterial sinusitis.

7. Dental issues

You may experience cavities, periodontal disease, and dental abscesses if bacteria builds up on your teeth and gums. These conditions can cause damage to your mouth and beyond, especially if left untreated. They can lead to jaw and ear pain.

8. Teeth grinding

If you grind your teeth, you may end up with a TMJ disorder and feel pain in your ears and jaw. This condition can:

  • impact the way your teeth align
  • erode your teeth
  • break down your TMJ
  • strain your muscles

You may grind your teeth at night and not even realize it until pain or another symptom develops.

Ear and jaw pain are not the only symptoms of these conditions. You may also experience the following:

  • TMJ disorder
    • facial pain
    • pain from chewing
    • jaw clicking or locking
    • ear ringing
    • hearing loss
    • neck and shoulder pain
    • teeth shifting and misalignment
    • headaches
  • Arthritis
    • swelling in the jaw
  • Migraines
    • throbbing pain on one or both sides of your head
    • nausea
    • changes to your vision or other senses
  • Swimmer’s ear
    • drainage
    • pain along the face and neck
    • hearing reduction
    • itching
    • fever
  • Sinusitis
    • clogged nasal passages
    • green or yellow discharge
    • sensitivity of the face
    • cough
    • headache
    • restricted ability to smell and taste
  • Cavities, periodontal disease, or dental abscesses
    • pain throughout the lower face and neck
    • pain that gets worse when you lie down
    • swelling in the gums and on the face
    • loose or sensitive teeth
    • sensitivity to cold and hot foods and beverages
    • fever and flu-like symptoms
  • Teeth grinding
    • tooth sensitivity
    • worn teeth
    • facial and neck pain
    • headache
    • sleep disruption

Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to begin the diagnosis of your jaw and ear pain. Your doctor may also ask about your health history to find out more about your symptoms. Be sure to mention:

  • recent dental surgeries
  • illnesses
  • injuries
  • changes to your mental health like stress, anxiety, or depression

Your doctor may:

  • listen to your jaw
  • feel your jaw and around your face
  • look in your ears
  • check your vital signs
  • examine your mouth

You may need an MRI, X-ray, or other imaging test to diagnose the condition.

The cause of jaw and ear pain can vary and so can treatments.

You may not seek treatment for TMJ, as 40 percent of cases resolve on their own and only 5 to 10 percent of cases require treatment. Treatments for a TMJ disorder can include:

  • resting your jaw
  • home remedies
  • using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
  • wearing a brace or splint to restrict jaw movement
  • flushing your joint to reduce inflammation
  • surgery, in severe cases

Other causes of ear and joint pain may include similar treatments. Some conditions like arthritis, swimmer’s ear, and sinusitis may include specific medications.

Your doctor may recommend certain anti-inflammatories for arthritis, steroids for swimmer’s ear, and nasal sprays for sinusitis, among other treatment options.

Oral conditions like cavities, periodontal disease, and dental abscesses may require tooth removal, a root canal, or deep cleaning in addition to other treatment methods.

There are several methods you can try at home to help TMJ disorders:

  • Change your diet to incorporate more soft foods.
  • Stop chewing gum or other objects, such as the ends of pens or pencils.
  • Relax and rest your jaw.
  • Use a warm or cold compress to the jaw.
  • Perform exercises that stretch the jaw, including slowly opening and closing your mouth several times.
  • Avoid stress.

Some of these treatments may also work with other conditions causing ear and jaw pain.

Take good care of your teeth to treat and avoid conditions that affect your mouth. Make sure to brush and floss regularly, eat a healthy diet, and quit smoking to avoid the buildup of bacteria in your mouth.

You should see a doctor if your ear and jaw pain:

  • is accompanied by a fever or other flu-like symptoms
  • gets in the way of your everyday activities
  • interferes with your sleep
  • persists despite treatments
  • inhibits your ability to eat and drink
  • causes pain or sensitivity in your teeth or gums

There are many reasons why you may experience jaw and ear pain at the same time. Often, the condition affecting both of them is related to only your jaw or ears but you feel referred pain in the other area.

Talk to your doctor to determine the cause of the jaw and ear pain. This will help you treat the pain and avoid it from getting worse.

8 Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

You may experience jaw and ear pain at the same time. These 8 reasons can help you understand why the cause may be related to only your jaw or ears, but the pain spills over from the other area.

If you notice both ear and jaw pain simultaneously, it may be because of several reasons.

A medical condition in your jaw, ear, or mouth can cause the pain. Another possibility is that you’re experiencing “referred pain,” which happens when a part of your body feels pain even though the source of the pain is located somewhere else.

Below are some conditions that can cause pain in both your jaw and ears at the same time, in large part because of their close proximity.

1. TMJ disorders

One source of ear and jaw pain may be related to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This area includes not only the jaw joint but also the muscles surrounding it.

The TMJ is adjacent to the temporal bone, which includes your inner ear. The TMJ does a lot of work, moving in many directions so you can chew and talk.

Ear and jaw pain may occur from a TMJ disorder. Around 10 to 15 percent of adults may experience a TMJ disorder. These disorders cause inflammation and pain in your TMJ. Facial pain and ear discomfort are the most common complaints of this condition. You may have a chronic TMJ disorder if you experience symptoms for longer than three months.

You may develop a TMJ disorder from wear and tear or because of another medical condition. In some cases, your doctor may suspect a TMJ disorder, but you actually have something else like:

  • fibromyalgia
  • sleep apnea
  • anxiety
  • depression

2. Osteoarthritis

Ear and jaw pain could be caused by osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis in the TMJ. This condition develops from wear and tear over time to the cartilage surrounding the joint. You may feel stiffness in the joint as well as pain.

3. Rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis

These forms of arthritis occur because your immune system attacks healthy joints. Both rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis are identified as autoimmune conditions.

You may experience joint pain throughout your body at different times, including in your TMJ, and certain triggers may cause the pain to flare up.

4. Migraine

Pain felt in your jaw and ears near the TMJ area may trigger migraine. Migraine attacks are severe headaches that can re-occur. They can cause sensitivity to light, sound, and smell.

5. Swimmer’s ear

This condition occurs when bacteria forms in the outer ear from water exposure or injury. You may get this condition from swimming or if an outside object tears your ear’s lining. The symptoms will get worse if the condition is untreated and can lead to ear and jaw pain.

6. Sinusitis

You may experience ear and jaw pain from sinusitis. This condition can occur if you have a cold or allergies and your nasal passages become irritated and inflamed. The infection is generally caused by a virus, but you can also get bacterial sinusitis.

7. Dental issues

You may experience cavities, periodontal disease, and dental abscesses if bacteria builds up on your teeth and gums. These conditions can cause damage to your mouth and beyond, especially if left untreated. They can lead to jaw and ear pain.

8. Teeth grinding

If you grind your teeth, you may end up with a TMJ disorder and feel pain in your ears and jaw. This condition can:

  • impact the way your teeth align
  • erode your teeth
  • break down your TMJ
  • strain your muscles

You may grind your teeth at night and not even realize it until pain or another symptom develops.

Ear and jaw pain are not the only symptoms of these conditions. You may also experience the following:

  • TMJ disorder
    • facial pain
    • pain from chewing
    • jaw clicking or locking
    • ear ringing
    • hearing loss
    • neck and shoulder pain
    • teeth shifting and misalignment
    • headaches
  • Arthritis
    • swelling in the jaw
  • Migraines
    • throbbing pain on one or both sides of your head
    • nausea
    • changes to your vision or other senses
  • Swimmer’s ear
    • drainage
    • pain along the face and neck
    • hearing reduction
    • itching
    • fever
  • Sinusitis
    • clogged nasal passages
    • green or yellow discharge
    • sensitivity of the face
    • cough
    • headache
    • restricted ability to smell and taste
  • Cavities, periodontal disease, or dental abscesses
    • pain throughout the lower face and neck
    • pain that gets worse when you lie down
    • swelling in the gums and on the face
    • loose or sensitive teeth
    • sensitivity to cold and hot foods and beverages
    • fever and flu-like symptoms
  • Teeth grinding
    • tooth sensitivity
    • worn teeth
    • facial and neck pain
    • headache
    • sleep disruption

Your doctor will conduct a physical exam to begin the diagnosis of your jaw and ear pain. Your doctor may also ask about your health history to find out more about your symptoms. Be sure to mention:

  • recent dental surgeries
  • illnesses
  • injuries
  • changes to your mental health like stress, anxiety, or depression

Your doctor may:

  • listen to your jaw
  • feel your jaw and around your face
  • look in your ears
  • check your vital signs
  • examine your mouth

You may need an MRI, X-ray, or other imaging test to diagnose the condition.

The cause of jaw and ear pain can vary and so can treatments.

You may not seek treatment for TMJ, as 40 percent of cases resolve on their own and only 5 to 10 percent of cases require treatment. Treatments for a TMJ disorder can include:

  • resting your jaw
  • home remedies
  • using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications
  • wearing a brace or splint to restrict jaw movement
  • flushing your joint to reduce inflammation
  • surgery, in severe cases

Other causes of ear and joint pain may include similar treatments. Some conditions like arthritis, swimmer’s ear, and sinusitis may include specific medications.

Your doctor may recommend certain anti-inflammatories for arthritis, steroids for swimmer’s ear, and nasal sprays for sinusitis, among other treatment options.

Oral conditions like cavities, periodontal disease, and dental abscesses may require tooth removal, a root canal, or deep cleaning in addition to other treatment methods.

There are several methods you can try at home to help TMJ disorders:

  • Change your diet to incorporate more soft foods.
  • Stop chewing gum or other objects, such as the ends of pens or pencils.
  • Relax and rest your jaw.
  • Use a warm or cold compress to the jaw.
  • Perform exercises that stretch the jaw, including slowly opening and closing your mouth several times.
  • Avoid stress.

Some of these treatments may also work with other conditions causing ear and jaw pain.

Take good care of your teeth to treat and avoid conditions that affect your mouth. Make sure to brush and floss regularly, eat a healthy diet, and quit smoking to avoid the buildup of bacteria in your mouth.

You should see a doctor if your ear and jaw pain:

  • is accompanied by a fever or other flu-like symptoms
  • gets in the way of your everyday activities
  • interferes with your sleep
  • persists despite treatments
  • inhibits your ability to eat and drink
  • causes pain or sensitivity in your teeth or gums

There are many reasons why you may experience jaw and ear pain at the same time. Often, the condition affecting both of them is related to only your jaw or ears but you feel referred pain in the other area.

Talk to your doctor to determine the cause of the jaw and ear pain. This will help you treat the pain and avoid it from getting worse.

Neck and jaw pain: what to do

If something hurts somewhere, you should not endure the pain, but go to the doctor. If the neck hurts, gives under the jaw, and in general the pain causes serious discomfort, then you can contact one of these specialists – a surgeon, neurologist , a dentist, otolaryngologist – or make an appointment with a therapist , who himself will direct you to the right doctor. Based on the location and nature of the pain alone, an accurate diagnosis cannot be made. You may need additional examinations to help find the right solution and save you from excruciating discomfort. Pain in the neck and jaw occurs for a number of reasons, which can be conditionally divided into mechanical effects and acquired diseases and pathologies. If such pain accompanies you constantly, then it cannot be ignored. The lack of well-chosen treatment threatens as a result of a whole list of unpleasant consequences.

Causes of pain under the jaw

There are many causes for neck and/or jaw pain, and they can indicate a variety of health problems. There are many structures in the neck area, the pathologies of which cause pain and create serious discomfort.

Pathological changes in the lymph nodes

There are many lymph nodes behind our ears, on the neck, in the lower part of the jaw. And one of the diseases that leads to painful discomfort is called lymphadenitis. This is inflammation of the lymph nodes due to bacterial or other infections. It is accompanied by severe sharp pain in the neck, which will radiate to the jaw, and will also cause an increase in body temperature. Without treatment, lymphadenitis becomes chronic, and then constant fatigue, weight loss and general malaise are added to the elevated temperature. Another pathology may be neoplasms that appear on the lymph nodes. These are, as a rule, metastases that have penetrated from any organs affected by oncology. The nature of the pain is different, but weakness and weight loss also accompany this condition.

Glossite

Another disease that is associated with the inflammatory process, but does not affect the lymph nodes, but the tongue. Signs of glossitis are a bright red color of the tongue, severe swelling of the tongue and lower jaw. It is also possible purulent discharge from the glands in the oral cavity, soreness, radiating to the ear, jaw and neck.

Pharyngitis, tonsillitis, tonsillitis

These diseases can also cause pain. But at the same time, if the neck hurts, then the pain does not give under the jaw, but in the throat. With angina, the pain intensifies at the time of swallowing, and a person also has all the signs of acute respiratory infections or flu (ear pain, fever, weakness, lack of appetite, etc.). In acute pharyngitis, inflammation of the lymph nodes is possible.

Jaw fractures

A fracture in the lower part of the jaw occurs due to a strong blow, head injury or due to an accident. Fractures can be direct and reflected, multiple, fragmentary, displaced, open and closed, but in any case, a person experiences severe pain, which is accompanied by swelling, hemorrhage and impaired chewing function. In the event of a fracture, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Types of neck and jaw pain

The neck can hurt on the left side under the jaw, or the pain occurs on the right or in front and gives back. The nature of pain is very different, due to various reasons for its appearance. The nature of the pain is very important for the diagnosis, so it is necessary to describe it to the doctor as accurately as possible.

Intense pain on the sides in the neck under the jaw

Most often, such pain occurs due to inflammation of the lymph nodes and with angina. Both diseases are the result of infection in the body. Migraines and infectious diseases of the teeth can also cause severe pain under the jaw.

Aching pain

If the pain is aching in nature, then it could be caused by a migraine, which, with bright light, a change in lighting, or loud sounds, intensifies and focuses in one place. Additionally, symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, vision problems, and constant thirst may appear. Aching pain can also be associated with infectious diseases of the teeth.

Pain under the jaw on the left

If your neck hurts on the left side under the jaw, then this can indicate almost any of the diseases that were listed above; pain is also associated with problems in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. For example, pain on the left under the jaw appears with a heart attack or angina pectoris, which, as a rule, comes from soreness in the chest area and is accompanied by acute pain in the teeth.

Pressure pain

If your neck under the jaw begins to hurt when pressed or pressed, then this may indicate inflammation of the lymph nodes, as well as diseases such as neuralgia of the ear node, osteogenic sarcoma, or the presence of sialoliths. Any pain should not be ignored. Even if discomfort in the neck and jaw does not cause any particular problems, this is not a reason to ignore it. Timely access to a doctor is a decision that must be made immediately. Only a doctor can tell you why your neck hurts under your jaw and what to do about it.

What to do if your jaw and neck hurt

The surest and most correct step is to consult a specialist. You can start with a therapist who will examine you, collect an anamnesis, make a preliminary diagnosis and give a referral to a specialist. For diagnosis, you may need to do an x-ray, ECG, blood test, MRI, CT scan, etc., depending on what is the possible cause of your illness. When cancer is suspected, diagnosis and treatment is more difficult.

Massage treatments

Massage makes it possible to relax the muscles in the neck, but it should be prescribed and performed only by specialists. Also, massage is often prescribed as a restorative procedure after an already completed course of treatment. Certain types of therapeutic and simple massage can strengthen the muscular corset and relieve congestion in different parts of the spine. To work out the muscles of the neck, self-massage can also be prescribed. But before that, the specialist must teach you how to properly perform all massage exercises (stroking, kneading, rubbing, etc.), and also monitor the result.

Medical treatment

If the cause of the pain is an inflammatory process, such as otitis or tonsillitis, then a whole range of medicines is prescribed, the action of which is aimed at removing the signs of a cold and getting rid of the virus, bacteria or infection that led to the onset of the disease. It is not safe to prescribe medication on your own. Depending on your condition and problem, taking medication can only make things worse. For example, a number of medications, under certain conditions, cause an increase in lymph nodes, and this, in turn, will most likely lead to increased pain in the neck and jaw. Medical and other methods of treatment are selected based on the problem. For the treatment of the same angina, antiviral and antipyretic drugs are prescribed. If a patient is diagnosed with a temporomandibular joint disorder, then surgery and physiotherapy are suggested.

Folk remedies

Folk remedies are far from the best option for getting rid of pain in the neck and jaw, especially when these folk methods are prescribed on their own. Tea with honey and plenty of warm drink for colds and sore throats help to overcome the disease faster, but do not cure. Only methods of official medicine can cure a sore throat or other disease. If the problem is inflammation of the lymph nodes, then it is highly recommended not to use such a folk remedy as warming up. This can lead to increased inflammation and its serious spread. If you experience pain in the neck, do not try to solve the problem yourself, only the doctor, after a comprehensive diagnosis, will draw up a treatment plan and will adjust it during your recovery.

You can make an appointment with specialists online , as well as by phone 8 (812) 901-03-03.

We help relieve ear pain that radiates to the jaw and temple

Page navigation:

  • Types of pain
    • Intensity
    • Character
  • Possible causes
    • Inflammation in the ears
    • Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve
    • Dental problems
  • What to do if your ear hurts and gives to your teeth and temple?
  • What not to do
  • Diagnostics
  • Treatment
  • Features of treatment in “Betterton”
  • Possible complications
  • Prophylaxis

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When the ear hurts, gives to the temple and jaw, a person can “sin” for problems with his teeth. But most often in such cases, the teeth have nothing to do with it. This symptom is a reason for consulting an ENT. We understand why ear pain radiates to the jaw, and how to remove it!

Varieties of pain

There are different types of pain in the ears that radiate to the jaw. They are classified according to intensity and character.

Intensity

Ear pain may be acute or dull in severity. Acute usually manifests itself in case of inflammation or injury and lasts for several days. Dull is more characteristic of the chronic phase of the disease.

Character

When ear pain radiates to the teeth, it may be drawing or throbbing (shooting). The first is constantly present, and the second rolls in periods – after chewing, talking, brushing your teeth, touching.

Possible causes

There are 2 main reasons why the ear hurts, gives to the jaw and temple – inflammation in the ears and in the trigeminal nerve. Also, sometimes the pain syndrome is really caused by problems with the teeth.

Inflammation in the ears

The most common cause is secretory otitis media. This is an inflammation of the middle ear, in which fluid accumulates and stagnates in its cavity. It cannot exit through the auditory tube, so it provokes a feeling of squeezing. That is why the pain that characterizes otitis media radiates to the jaw. A similar symptom is manifested in exudative and purulent otitis media.

When otitis media radiates to the teeth, the pain syndrome usually manifests itself on one side. It can be aching or pulsating – it all depends on the degree of development of the inflammatory process. In addition to pain, a person notices congestion in the ear, hearing loss and malaise.

Inflammation of the trigeminal nerve

The trigeminal nerve comes from the brainstem, its main node is located very close to the ear. From it come three branches – the ophthalmic, maxillary and mandibular. That is why, with a cold trigeminal nerve, the ear often hurts, gives to the temple and jaw. The pain can also radiate to the neck and eye. As a rule, it has a shooting character and appears after chewing, brushing teeth and other movements of the jaw. Along with pain, accompanying symptoms appear – spasms of masticatory and facial muscles, redness of the face.

Dental problems

Sometimes pain symptoms are associated with inflammation of the wisdom tooth, which is close to the ear. This occurs at advanced stages of caries, when soft and bone tissues, nerve fibers are affected. In this case, the jaw hurts and gives to the ear and temple.

What to do if your ear hurts and radiates to your teeth and temple?

When the pain in the ear radiates to the jaw, you need to contact an otolaryngologist, dentist or neurologist. How to understand which doctor to go to? Press on the tragus of the ear – if the pain intensifies, then you should go to the ENT. With spasms of the facial muscles, they go to a neurologist, and if the pain increases with pressure on the tooth, they go to the dentist.

What not to do

If your ear hurts, it radiates to your jaw, you should not try to cure it yourself. It is strictly forbidden to warm up the diseased side – this can enhance the inflammatory process. Also, do not rub or scratch the sore spot – this will spread the infection. And finally, you can not prescribe antibiotics and analgesics to yourself – you do not know the exact cause of the pain.

Diagnostics

To determine the cause of a person’s ear, temple and jaw pain at the same time, the following is performed:

Treatment

If the ear hurts, gives to the jaw – how to treat? It all depends on the cause of the symptom. Otitis media is treated with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and medical procedures to remove fluid and pus from the ear. Dentists and neurologists have other methods of treatment.

Features of treatment in “Betterton”

If otitis media radiates to the teeth, our ENT center will help you.