What are the causes of jaw pain under the left ear? How can one address this issue? Discover the potential reasons and effective solutions for this problem.

Understanding the Causes of Jaw Pain Under the Left Ear

Jaw pain on the left side under the ear can have various underlying causes, ranging from joint issues to dental problems and even more serious health conditions. Let’s dive into the potential reasons for this discomfort:

1. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders

TMJ disorders affect the joint that connects the skull and the jaw, leading to pain, tenderness, and other symptoms. If the disc that separates the bones in this joint becomes misaligned or the joint is damaged, it can result in pain on one or both sides of the jaw. Associated symptoms may include earaches, difficulty opening and closing the mouth, and clicking or popping sounds when chewing.

2. Sinus Inflammation (Sinusitis)

Inflammation in the nasal cavities, particularly the maxillary sinuses behind the cheeks, can also cause pain in the jaw area. Sinusitis is often triggered by colds, allergies, or other medical conditions. Along with jaw pain, individuals with sinusitis may experience nasal congestion, mucus discharge, facial pressure and swelling, and difficulty smelling or tasting.

3. Dental Issues

Dental problems, such as cavities, abscessed teeth, wisdom tooth growth, gum disease, or tooth misalignment, can lead to pain on one side of the jaw. Additional symptoms may include tooth sensitivity, painful or bleeding gums, bad breath, and difficulty chewing or swallowing.

4. Heart Attack

While uncommon, in rare cases, jaw pain on one side can be an early sign of a heart attack. This type of jaw pain is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, and cold sweats.

5. Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic condition caused by abnormal pressure on the trigeminal nerve, leading to severe, shooting pain on one side of the face. This condition is more common in older adults and women.

Addressing Jaw Pain Under the Left Ear

If you are experiencing jaw pain under the left ear, it’s important to identify the underlying cause and seek appropriate treatment. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Consult with a healthcare professional, such as a dentist or physician, to determine the cause of your jaw pain. They can perform a thorough examination and recommend the best course of action.
2. If the pain is due to a dental issue, such as a cavity or abscess, seek prompt treatment from a dentist. They can provide appropriate dental care to address the problem.
3. For TMJ disorders, your healthcare provider may recommend various treatments, including physical therapy, medication, mouth guards, or in some cases, surgery.
4. If sinusitis is the culprit, addressing the underlying sinus inflammation through medication, nasal irrigation, or other treatments may help alleviate the jaw pain.
5. In the case of a heart attack, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention, as prompt treatment is essential for survival and recovery.
6. For trigeminal neuralgia, your healthcare provider may prescribe medication or recommend other treatments, such as physical therapy or nerve blocks, to manage the chronic pain.
7. In the meantime, you can try applying a warm compress to the affected area, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, and avoiding activities that exacerbate the pain.

Preventing Jaw Pain Under the Left Ear

To help reduce the risk of developing jaw pain under the left ear, consider the following preventive measures:

• Practice good oral hygiene, including regular dental checkups and cleanings, to prevent dental problems that can lead to jaw pain.
• Manage stress and anxiety, as these can contribute to teeth grinding and clenching, which can cause or worsen TMJ disorders.
• Maintain good posture and avoid activities that strain the jaw, such as chewing gum or biting your nails.
• Use a mouthguard or night guard if you grind your teeth during sleep.
• Stay hydrated and maintain a balanced, nutritious diet to support overall health and reduce the risk of dental issues.

When to Seek Medical Attention

It’s important to seek medical attention if you experience persistent or severe jaw pain, especially if it is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, such as:

• Chest pain or pressure
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Fever or chills
• Facial swelling or numbness
• Severe headache or dizziness

Don’t hesitate to consult a healthcare professional, as they can help determine the underlying cause and provide appropriate treatment to alleviate your jaw pain and prevent further complications.

Conclusion

Jaw pain under the left ear can have various causes, ranging from TMJ disorders and sinus issues to dental problems and, in rare cases, even heart attacks. By understanding the potential causes and seeking prompt medical attention, you can effectively address this discomfort and maintain your overall oral and general health. Remember to practice good preventive measures and listen to your body to ensure timely and appropriate treatment.

Causes and What You Can Do About It

You can experience jaw pain and tenderness due to joint damage, infection, or a toothache, among other causes. The other symptoms you have may help pinpoint the cause.

Sudden jaw pain is typically not serious. But if it occurs with other concerning symptoms, such as chest pain or a high fever, it may be an early indicator of a more serious health condition, such as a heart attack.

Here, we’ll go over some of the main causes, other symptoms to look for, and might be time to see a doctor or dentist.

You might worry about dental issues such as a cavity or abscessed tooth or wonder if you’ve been grinding your teeth at night.

Here’s a look at some common causes of jaw pain.

1. TMJ disorders

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the joint that connects your skull and jaw. A disc separates the bones in this joint and helps it move properly. If the disc becomes misaligned or the joint is damaged, you may experience pain on one or both sides of your jaw.

Other symptoms of TMJ disorders can include:

• tenderness around your jaw
• earache
• pain, clicking, or popping when chewing or opening your mouth
• difficulty opening and closing your mouth if the joint locks

Multiple factors can contribute to TMJ disorders, so it’s not always easy to find a specific cause.

Issues known to play a part in TMJ disorders can include:

• arthritis
• teeth clenching or grinding
• tissue damage
• tooth damage or misalignment
• jaw infection or injury
• damage to the cartilage in the joint

If you have symptoms of a TMJ disorder, a healthcare professional or dentist can help figure out the underlying cause.

2. Sinusitis

Inflammation in your nasal cavities can cause sinusitis. This tends to happen if you’ve had a cold, but allergies and other medical conditions can also contribute to sinusitis.

If the sinus cavities behind your cheeks, known as the maxillary sinuses, are inflamed, you might feel pain in one or both sides of your jaw.

Other symptoms of sinusitis can include:

• nasal congestion that makes it hard to breathe through your nose
• yellow or green mucus that drains from your nose or into your throat (post nasal drip)
• facial pain, pressure, and swelling
• pressure and pain in your ears and head
• fatigue
• difficulty smelling or tasting

Sinusitis often clears up on its own, but it may be worth checking in with a healthcare professional if lasts more than a week.

3. Dental problems

Pain on one side of your jaw can often be traced to dental or oral health concerns.

Common dental problems that cause jaw pain include:

• cavities
• an abscessed tooth
• growth of wisdom teeth
• gum disease or tooth decay
• missing or misaligned teeth
• tooth grinding or clenching

If dental issues are to blame, you’ll likely have additional symptoms, such as:

• tooth pain that lingers or comes and goes
• sensitive teeth
• painful, bleeding gums
• sores in your mouth
• bad breath or persistent dry mouth
• pain when chewing or swallowing

Facial swelling and fever along with severe tooth pain may indicate an abscess. You may want to contact a dentist or healthcare professional right away for these symptoms, especially if breathing and swallowing become difficult.

While uncommon, rare issues may lead to pain on one side of your jaw. If there isn’t a clear reason for your pain, a healthcare professional may want to rule out these causes.

4. Heart attack

Generally, jaw pain on one side isn’t cause for immediate concern. But in rare cases, it can be an early sign of a heart attack. In this case, you may feel it spreading from your chest to your jaw.

Anyone can experience this symptom, but it does occur more commonly in women, according to the American Heart Association.

If you’re having a heart attack, you’ll likely have some other signs along with jaw pain, including:

• pressure or pain in your chest that goes away when you rest but keeps coming back
• tightness, pain, and pressure in your chest and arms, which can spread to your jaw, neck, back, and stomach
• heartburn or indigestion
• shortness of breath
• nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
• extreme tiredness
• dizziness and lightheadedness
• sudden cold sweats

These symptoms can develop suddenly or come on slowly, over several hours or days. If your jaw pain is accompanied by some of these symptoms, you may need emergency treatment.

5. Trigeminal neuralgia

This chronic condition generally results from abnormal pressure on the trigeminal nerve. This pressure can prevent the nerve from functioning properly, leading to severe pain. An injury or brain abnormality can also cause the condition.

Trigeminal neuralgia is most common in females and people above the age of 50. The primary symptom is severe pain that usually occurs on one side of your face.

This pain may:

• occur when you touch your face or move facial muscles, even minimally
• produce shooting, jabbing, or shock-like sensations
• feel like a constant ache or burn
• cause twitching in your face
• occur in episodes that last for seconds or minutes
• occur in your lower jaw, cheek, or mouth
• become more severe over time

Pain is often brief but excruciating. It may not respond to over-the-counter medications, but a healthcare professional can recommend other treatments, including prescription medication.

6. Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an uncommon but serious type of bone infection that develops when bacteria enter the bone.

Your jawbone could become infected after dental surgery, if you have a serious dental health issue, or if your mouth is injured in some way. Conditions that affect your immune health can also increase your risk.

This infection can spread and cause bone death. Prompt treatment with antibiotics can help prevent serious complications, so it’s important to get medical care if you have:

• worsening pain in your jaw
• fever
• swelling or tenderness in your teeth or jaw
• redness or warmth at the painful area
• tiredness or fatigue
• bad breath
• trouble opening and closing your mouth due to pain and swelling
• numbness in your jaw, lips, or mouth

7. Tumors and cysts

These two types of growths differ. Tumors are masses of tissue and cysts generally contain fluid. Either can cause pain in your jaw, though both are somewhat rare.

Often, they aren’t cancerous, but they can still have an impact on oral health. They may grow quickly, causing your teeth to move out of place and destroying bone and tissue in your jaw and mouth.

Some of the more common tumors and cysts include that can affect your mouth include:

• ameloblastoma
• dentigerous cysts
• odontoma

Not all cysts or tumors cause symptoms, but you could experience the following, along with persistent pain in your jaw:

• red or white patches in your mouth
• open or bleeding sores
• a lump or growth you can feel
• lingering soreness or hoarse feeling in your throat
• trouble swallowing or moving your jaw
• tissue growth around teeth
• jaw or facial swelling

Treatment depends on the type of growth and its cause, but early detection and medical care can improve the chances of successful treatment.

8. Salivary gland stones

Salivary gland stones can cause swelling and jaw pain. Obstruction of the duct by a stone can potentially lead to a bacterial infection or an abscess.

Symptoms can include:

• pain with eating
• swollen lymph nodes
• discharge
• reddening of the surrounding area

Treatment can depend on the size and location of the stone but involves different procedures for removal. If you have signs of a bacterial infection, a doctor may also prescribe antibiotics.

If you have mild or temporary pain in your jaw, you may not need medical treatment. If the cause isn’t serious, pain usually improves once the issue clears up.

In the meantime, these approaches can help you manage it:

• Use heat: Heat may help relax your muscles and relieve aches and stiffness.
• Use ice or cold compresses: Cold compresses can help numb pain and may be particularly helpful if you’re also experiencing swelling.
• Try nonprescription pain relief: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and other over-the-counter pain medications can help relieve pain temporarily. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the package. If the recommended dose isn’t effective or you need to take pain relievers for more than a few days, it’s best to see a healthcare professional.
• Rest your jaw when possible: Choosing foods that don’t require a lot of chewing can help you avoid overworking your jaw muscles.
• Try massage: A healthcare professional, physical therapist, or massage therapist can use massage therapy to help release pain and tension in your jaw. You can also learn how to use some techniques on your own. They may be especially helpful for TMJ disorders.
• Try to relax: If your jaw pain comes from grinding or clenching your teeth, relaxation techniques can help you avoid using this as a stress response. Relaxing your muscles can also help relieve pain.
• Change your sleeping position: If you always sleep on the same side or sleep with your hand under your jaw, this could put pressure on your muscles. Switching the side you sleep on could help your pain. Even if your pain has a different cause, sleeping on the other side could help relieve pain at night.

If your jaw hurts because of an underlying cause, treating that health issue may help resolve your symptoms.

Although jaw pain typically isn’t always serious, other symptoms you experience along with it could point to a more serious condition that requires treatment.

You may want to consider seeing a healthcare professional or dentist if the pain sticks around for more than a few days or seems to clear up and come back.

Other signs it may be time to get a medical professional’s opinion include:

• You have trouble eating, drinking, swallowing, or breathing.
• Pain makes it difficult to move your mouth as you usually would.
• You have swelling or a fever that doesn’t go away.
• You have a high fever.
• You have severe pain that suddenly goes away after a burst of salty liquid that tastes and smells unpleasant, which can occur with a dental abscess.

When it’s serious

In rare cases, jaw pain may indicate a cause that requires prompt treatment. These symptoms can include:

• high fever
• extreme pain
• swelling that affects your ability to breathe and swallow

A high fever, extreme pain, or swelling that affects your ability to breathe and swallow are all serious symptoms that require urgent or emergency care.

Was this helpful?

If you don’t already have a primary care doctor or dentist, our Healthline FindCare tool can help you connect to physicians in your area.

Your jaw may hurt on one side as the result of a common health issue, such as clenching your teeth or nasal inflammation. More rarely, it can occur with serious conditions, including trigeminal neuralgia or a heart attack.

If your symptoms are concerning, your pain is severe, or it does not resolve with at-home care, you may need medical attention. Always seek emergency medical attention if you may be having a heart attack.

Read this article in Spanish.

Causes and What You Can Do About It

You can experience jaw pain and tenderness due to joint damage, infection, or a toothache, among other causes. The other symptoms you have may help pinpoint the cause.

Sudden jaw pain is typically not serious. But if it occurs with other concerning symptoms, such as chest pain or a high fever, it may be an early indicator of a more serious health condition, such as a heart attack.

Here, we’ll go over some of the main causes, other symptoms to look for, and might be time to see a doctor or dentist.

You might worry about dental issues such as a cavity or abscessed tooth or wonder if you’ve been grinding your teeth at night.

Here’s a look at some common causes of jaw pain.

1. TMJ disorders

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders affect the joint that connects your skull and jaw. A disc separates the bones in this joint and helps it move properly. If the disc becomes misaligned or the joint is damaged, you may experience pain on one or both sides of your jaw.

Other symptoms of TMJ disorders can include:

• tenderness around your jaw
• earache
• pain, clicking, or popping when chewing or opening your mouth
• difficulty opening and closing your mouth if the joint locks

Multiple factors can contribute to TMJ disorders, so it’s not always easy to find a specific cause.

Issues known to play a part in TMJ disorders can include:

• arthritis
• teeth clenching or grinding
• tissue damage
• tooth damage or misalignment
• jaw infection or injury
• damage to the cartilage in the joint

If you have symptoms of a TMJ disorder, a healthcare professional or dentist can help figure out the underlying cause.

2. Sinusitis

Inflammation in your nasal cavities can cause sinusitis. This tends to happen if you’ve had a cold, but allergies and other medical conditions can also contribute to sinusitis.

If the sinus cavities behind your cheeks, known as the maxillary sinuses, are inflamed, you might feel pain in one or both sides of your jaw.

Other symptoms of sinusitis can include:

• nasal congestion that makes it hard to breathe through your nose
• yellow or green mucus that drains from your nose or into your throat (post nasal drip)
• facial pain, pressure, and swelling
• pressure and pain in your ears and head
• fatigue
• difficulty smelling or tasting

Sinusitis often clears up on its own, but it may be worth checking in with a healthcare professional if lasts more than a week.

3. Dental problems

Pain on one side of your jaw can often be traced to dental or oral health concerns.

Common dental problems that cause jaw pain include:

• cavities
• an abscessed tooth
• growth of wisdom teeth
• gum disease or tooth decay
• missing or misaligned teeth
• tooth grinding or clenching

If dental issues are to blame, you’ll likely have additional symptoms, such as:

• tooth pain that lingers or comes and goes
• sensitive teeth
• painful, bleeding gums
• sores in your mouth
• bad breath or persistent dry mouth
• pain when chewing or swallowing

Facial swelling and fever along with severe tooth pain may indicate an abscess. You may want to contact a dentist or healthcare professional right away for these symptoms, especially if breathing and swallowing become difficult.

While uncommon, rare issues may lead to pain on one side of your jaw. If there isn’t a clear reason for your pain, a healthcare professional may want to rule out these causes.

4. Heart attack

Generally, jaw pain on one side isn’t cause for immediate concern. But in rare cases, it can be an early sign of a heart attack. In this case, you may feel it spreading from your chest to your jaw.

Anyone can experience this symptom, but it does occur more commonly in women, according to the American Heart Association.

If you’re having a heart attack, you’ll likely have some other signs along with jaw pain, including:

• pressure or pain in your chest that goes away when you rest but keeps coming back
• tightness, pain, and pressure in your chest and arms, which can spread to your jaw, neck, back, and stomach
• heartburn or indigestion
• shortness of breath
• nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
• extreme tiredness
• dizziness and lightheadedness
• sudden cold sweats

These symptoms can develop suddenly or come on slowly, over several hours or days. If your jaw pain is accompanied by some of these symptoms, you may need emergency treatment.

5. Trigeminal neuralgia

This chronic condition generally results from abnormal pressure on the trigeminal nerve. This pressure can prevent the nerve from functioning properly, leading to severe pain. An injury or brain abnormality can also cause the condition.

Trigeminal neuralgia is most common in females and people above the age of 50. The primary symptom is severe pain that usually occurs on one side of your face.

This pain may:

• occur when you touch your face or move facial muscles, even minimally
• produce shooting, jabbing, or shock-like sensations
• feel like a constant ache or burn
• cause twitching in your face
• occur in episodes that last for seconds or minutes
• occur in your lower jaw, cheek, or mouth
• become more severe over time

Pain is often brief but excruciating. It may not respond to over-the-counter medications, but a healthcare professional can recommend other treatments, including prescription medication.

6. Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is an uncommon but serious type of bone infection that develops when bacteria enter the bone.

Your jawbone could become infected after dental surgery, if you have a serious dental health issue, or if your mouth is injured in some way. Conditions that affect your immune health can also increase your risk.

This infection can spread and cause bone death. Prompt treatment with antibiotics can help prevent serious complications, so it’s important to get medical care if you have:

• worsening pain in your jaw
• fever
• swelling or tenderness in your teeth or jaw
• redness or warmth at the painful area
• tiredness or fatigue
• bad breath
• trouble opening and closing your mouth due to pain and swelling
• numbness in your jaw, lips, or mouth

7. Tumors and cysts

These two types of growths differ. Tumors are masses of tissue and cysts generally contain fluid. Either can cause pain in your jaw, though both are somewhat rare.

Often, they aren’t cancerous, but they can still have an impact on oral health. They may grow quickly, causing your teeth to move out of place and destroying bone and tissue in your jaw and mouth.

Some of the more common tumors and cysts include that can affect your mouth include:

• ameloblastoma
• dentigerous cysts
• odontoma

Not all cysts or tumors cause symptoms, but you could experience the following, along with persistent pain in your jaw:

• red or white patches in your mouth
• open or bleeding sores
• a lump or growth you can feel
• lingering soreness or hoarse feeling in your throat
• trouble swallowing or moving your jaw
• tissue growth around teeth
• jaw or facial swelling

Treatment depends on the type of growth and its cause, but early detection and medical care can improve the chances of successful treatment.

8. Salivary gland stones

Salivary gland stones can cause swelling and jaw pain. Obstruction of the duct by a stone can potentially lead to a bacterial infection or an abscess.

Symptoms can include:

• pain with eating
• swollen lymph nodes
• discharge
• reddening of the surrounding area

Treatment can depend on the size and location of the stone but involves different procedures for removal. If you have signs of a bacterial infection, a doctor may also prescribe antibiotics.

If you have mild or temporary pain in your jaw, you may not need medical treatment. If the cause isn’t serious, pain usually improves once the issue clears up.

In the meantime, these approaches can help you manage it:

• Use heat: Heat may help relax your muscles and relieve aches and stiffness.
• Use ice or cold compresses: Cold compresses can help numb pain and may be particularly helpful if you’re also experiencing swelling.
• Try nonprescription pain relief: Acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), and other over-the-counter pain medications can help relieve pain temporarily. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the package. If the recommended dose isn’t effective or you need to take pain relievers for more than a few days, it’s best to see a healthcare professional.
• Rest your jaw when possible: Choosing foods that don’t require a lot of chewing can help you avoid overworking your jaw muscles.
• Try massage: A healthcare professional, physical therapist, or massage therapist can use massage therapy to help release pain and tension in your jaw. You can also learn how to use some techniques on your own. They may be especially helpful for TMJ disorders.
• Try to relax: If your jaw pain comes from grinding or clenching your teeth, relaxation techniques can help you avoid using this as a stress response. Relaxing your muscles can also help relieve pain.
• Change your sleeping position: If you always sleep on the same side or sleep with your hand under your jaw, this could put pressure on your muscles. Switching the side you sleep on could help your pain. Even if your pain has a different cause, sleeping on the other side could help relieve pain at night.

If your jaw hurts because of an underlying cause, treating that health issue may help resolve your symptoms.

Although jaw pain typically isn’t always serious, other symptoms you experience along with it could point to a more serious condition that requires treatment.

You may want to consider seeing a healthcare professional or dentist if the pain sticks around for more than a few days or seems to clear up and come back.

Other signs it may be time to get a medical professional’s opinion include:

• You have trouble eating, drinking, swallowing, or breathing.
• Pain makes it difficult to move your mouth as you usually would.
• You have swelling or a fever that doesn’t go away.
• You have a high fever.
• You have severe pain that suddenly goes away after a burst of salty liquid that tastes and smells unpleasant, which can occur with a dental abscess.

When it’s serious

In rare cases, jaw pain may indicate a cause that requires prompt treatment. These symptoms can include:

• high fever
• extreme pain
• swelling that affects your ability to breathe and swallow

A high fever, extreme pain, or swelling that affects your ability to breathe and swallow are all serious symptoms that require urgent or emergency care.

Was this helpful?

If you don’t already have a primary care doctor or dentist, our Healthline FindCare tool can help you connect to physicians in your area.

Your jaw may hurt on one side as the result of a common health issue, such as clenching your teeth or nasal inflammation. More rarely, it can occur with serious conditions, including trigeminal neuralgia or a heart attack.

If your symptoms are concerning, your pain is severe, or it does not resolve with at-home care, you may need medical attention. Always seek emergency medical attention if you may be having a heart attack.

Read this article in Spanish.

Why the jaw hurts

Dental diseases

Advanced dental diseases lead to deep caries and pulpitis. When the pulp is affected, the pain spreads along the nerves, in some cases there is a feeling that the entire side of the jaw hurts on the left or right.

The nature of the pain is usually aching, the discomfort increases at night. Before visiting the dentist, you can take pain medication. Even if the pain has gone, this is not a reason to ignore a visit to a specialist. For example, pain can subside with the death of the neurovascular bundle.

Traumatic injuries

One of the reasons why the jaw hurts when opening the mouth is trauma. Mechanical damage can be suspected if there have been previous falls or blows to the face. A fracture or dislocation of the jaw can occur not only after a blow, but also during traumatic tooth extraction.

After an injury, there are problems with chewing food, swelling occurs, and a bruise may appear at the site of impact.

Bruxism

Normally, the jaws are involved in chewing food 1-2 hours a day. If a person grinds his teeth in a dream, and sometimes during wakefulness, then the jaws and chewing apparatus are subjected to increased stress.

The main cause of bruxism is emotional overstrain. But teeth grinding can also occur with malocclusion. The presence of a problem can be guessed from the increased sensitivity and abrasion of the enamel, loosening of the teeth, chips, wounds on the inside of the cheeks, facial muscle tension, and pain in the temples. Teeth grinding explains and may be the cause of ear and jaw pain if there are no dental problems. For treatment, you should contact a neurologist to exclude a general somatic pathology.

Damage to the nerves

If the facial nerves are affected, then a pain syndrome appears, as a result of which the lower jaw may hurt. A boring burning pain appears when the nerve trunks in the throat and tongue are damaged. It is difficult for the patient to chew, swallow, talk, blow his nose. The pain may radiate to the chest, affect the lips, rarely the forehead and eyes.

With trigeminal neuralgia, paralysis of one side of the face is possible, pronounced asymmetry is observed. Attacks occur spontaneously, for example, while eating, when touching the face. The pain is most often aching, during attacks it is shooting, spasmodic, resembling electric shocks.

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiac disease may present atypically, especially in women. One of the reasons why the jaw hurts on the left side lies in the violation of blood flow and cardiac pathologies. Chest pain may not be present.

Make an appointment with a cardiologist if you notice a burning pain in the center or on the left side, under the jaw, in the ears, in the neck. The appearance of nausea, cold sweat, confusion, shortness of breath, burning or pressing pain in the heart area signals a serious pathology: call an ambulance.

Neoplasms

One of the reasons why the jaw hurts when chewing may be the development of a tumor process. With benign and malignant tumors, the pain becomes chronic. First, the discomfort is eliminated by analgesics, but then you have to constantly increase the dosage in order to get rid of the discomfort.

Tumors and cysts require treatment, which may require surgery. Examination will help determine the nature of the neoplasm.

Respiratory diseases

Patients with inflammation of the maxillary sinuses complain of pain in the upper jaw. It can hurt from any side. The pain syndrome increases by night, headaches can join.

Visit an otolaryngologist if the pain in the jaw is accompanied by nasal congestion, thick mucous discharge, tearing, fever. Not only teeth can hurt, but also the nose, cheeks, eyes, throat, ears, head.

If you are wondering why it hurts under the jaw, remember if there has been an exacerbation of chronic ENT diseases recently. Inflammation of the pharynx can lead to pain syndrome, in which case a general deterioration in well-being and pain when swallowing is additionally observed.

It is worth noting that sinusitis occurs more often in patients with a deviated nasal septum, polyps, allergic reactions and a general weakening of the immune system.

One of the reasons why the jaw hurts on the right side or on the left is inflammation of the cervical lymph nodes. But similar symptoms can also appear with advanced dental diseases.

Temporomandibular joint pathologies

TMJ may be affected due to trauma, disc wear, connective tissue disorders, bruxism. After sleep, patients notice stiffness in the joint. It is difficult for patients to close their jaws and open their mouths wide. Pain can affect both the lower and upper jaw.

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 radiates 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!

Types 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 the earache 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, radiates 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 located 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.