Jaw and ear pain: what should you know?

Pain that worsens with chewing, yawning, or opening the mouth can involve the temporomandibular joint or the muscles that move the jaw. Earache may instead reflect irritation in the ear canal, trapped wax, or a middle-ear infection. A cold, sinusitis, or tonsillitis can create pressure or referred pain around the ear even when the ear itself is not the main source. A blocked ear, reduced hearing, discharge, fever, sore throat, congestion, or tooth pain helps a clinician narrow the possibilities.

Rest the jaw by choosing softer foods, taking smaller bites, and avoiding gum, chewy foods, and wide yawns for a short period. A warm—not hot—compress over the sore jaw muscles may help. Keep the ear dry and do not put cotton buds, drops, or other objects into it unless a clinician has advised that product. Follow the label for any pain medicine and check with a pharmacist if you are pregnant, have kidney or stomach problems, or take regular medicines. Antibiotic treatment is not suitable for every cause of ear pain.

Arrange a medical assessment if pain is severe, keeps returning, or does not settle, or if you notice hearing change, ear discharge, fever, swelling, or difficulty opening the mouth. Seek urgent help for facial weakness, marked swelling behind the ear, trouble breathing or swallowing, confusion, or a sudden severe headache. Do not delay care after an injury, or when jaw pain occurs with chest pressure, breathlessness, sweating, or nausea.

Ask whether the pain appears to start in the jaw, ear, teeth, throat, or sinuses; whether your ear needs examination for wax or infection; and which pain-relief options are safe with your health conditions. Mention when it began, whether chewing changes it, and any hearing, fever, dental, or throat symptoms.