Yes, ear infections commonly cause jaw pain because the ear and jaw share nerves and are close together
An ear infection can hurt your jaw even though the infection itself is in your ear. This happens because the trigeminal nerve—the large nerve that supplies sensation to your face and jaw—also passes through the ear. When an infection inflames the tissues inside or around your ear, that inflammation can irritate the nerve and send pain signals to your jaw, temples, and the side of your face.
The pain is real and can feel sharp or aching. It may get worse when you chew, yawn, or open your mouth wide. Some people describe it as a dull throb that radiates from the ear down toward the jaw joint. The pain usually goes away once the ear infection clears, but while the infection is active, jaw pain is one of the most common side effects.
Key Takeaways
- Jaw pain from an ear infection comes from shared nerves between the ear and jaw, not from a separate jaw problem.
- Pain that worsens when you chew or open your mouth wide is typical of ear-related jaw pain, not a jaw joint disorder.
- Treating the ear infection itself—usually with antibiotics, pain relief, or warm compresses—will resolve the jaw pain.
- If jaw pain persists after the ear infection clears, or if you have no other ear symptoms, the pain may be coming from something else.
Why the ear and jaw are connected in pain signals
Your ear sits just in front of your jaw joint, and several nerves and blood vessels run through both areas. The trigeminal nerve is the main culprit: it has three branches, and one of them (the mandibular division) supplies your lower jaw, teeth, and the side of your face. This same nerve also carries sensation from inside your ear.
When an ear infection causes swelling, fluid buildup, or inflammation, it can press on or irritate this nerve. Your brain receives pain signals from the nerve but cannot always pinpoint exactly where the problem is—a phenomenon called referred pain. So you feel pain in your jaw even though the actual infection is in your ear. This is why ear infections can also cause headaches, neck stiffness, or pain in the temple.
Types of ear infections that cause jaw pain
Otitis media (middle ear infection) is the most common type to cause jaw pain. This infection happens behind the eardrum and fills the middle ear with fluid or pus. The pressure and inflammation can irritate nearby nerves and muscles, sending pain down to the jaw.
Otitis externa (outer ear infection, also called swimmer's ear) can also cause jaw pain, though usually less severe than middle ear infections. This infection affects the ear canal and the outer ear structures. If the infection spreads or causes significant swelling, it can still trigger referred pain in the jaw.
Mastoiditis is a more serious infection of the mastoid bone behind the ear. This is less common but causes more intense jaw and ear pain. If you suspect mastoiditis—especially if you have fever, severe ear pain, or swelling behind the ear—you need medical attention right away.
What jaw pain from an ear infection feels like
Jaw pain caused by an ear infection usually has specific characteristics. It often hurts more when you move your jaw—chewing, yawning, or opening your mouth wide. The pain may feel like it is coming from the joint where your jaw connects to your skull (the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ), but the source is the ear infection, not the joint itself.
The pain is typically on the same side as the infected ear. It may come and go or stay constant. Some people feel a sharp, shooting sensation; others describe a dull ache. You might also notice the pain is worse at night or when you lie on the infected side.
If your jaw pain is accompanied by ear pain, drainage from the ear, hearing loss, fever, or a feeling of fullness in the ear, an ear infection is very likely the cause. If you have only jaw pain with no ear symptoms at all, the problem is probably not an ear infection.
How to manage jaw pain while treating the ear infection
The best way to stop jaw pain from an ear infection is to treat the infection itself. Your doctor will determine whether you need antibiotics (usually for bacterial infections) or whether the infection will clear on its own (common with viral infections). Once the infection starts to improve, the jaw pain typically decreases within a few days.
While you wait for the infection to clear, you can manage jaw pain with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. A warm compress held against the ear and jaw for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day can also help. Avoid hard or chewy foods that require a lot of jaw movement, and try to eat soft foods instead.
Some people find relief by gently stretching the jaw or applying a heating pad to the side of the face. Do not force your jaw open or chew on the infected side. If the pain is severe or does not improve as the infection clears, tell your doctor—there may be another issue at play.
When jaw pain means something else, not an ear infection
Not all jaw pain that occurs near the ear is caused by an ear infection. If you have jaw pain but no ear symptoms—no ear pain, no drainage, no hearing changes, no feeling of fullness—the problem is likely something else. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, teeth grinding, dental problems, or muscle tension can all cause jaw pain in the same area.
Jaw pain that started before the ear infection, or that does not improve as the ear infection clears, may be a separate issue. If you have had the jaw pain for weeks or months and it is not tied to a current ear infection, see a dentist or your primary care doctor to rule out other causes.
It is also possible to have both an ear infection and a jaw problem at the same time. If treating the ear infection does not resolve the jaw pain within a week or two, ask your doctor whether you need to see a dentist or a specialist in jaw disorders.
When to see a doctor about ear infection and jaw pain
See a doctor if you have ear pain, jaw pain, or both, especially if the pain is severe, you have fever, or you notice drainage from the ear. You should also seek care if the pain does not improve within a few days of starting treatment, or if it gets worse.
Go to an urgent care clinic or emergency room if you have signs of a serious infection: high fever, severe ear pain, swelling or redness behind the ear, stiff neck, or dizziness. These can be signs of mastoiditis or other complications that need prompt treatment.
If you have had jaw pain for weeks without an ear infection, or if jaw pain returns after an ear infection has cleared, schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor or dentist. They can examine you and figure out what is actually causing the pain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can jaw pain be the only symptom of an ear infection?
It is unlikely but possible. Most ear infections come with ear pain, hearing changes, or a feeling of fullness in the ear. If you have only jaw pain with no ear symptoms at all, the cause is probably not an ear infection. See a doctor to find out what is causing the jaw pain.
How long does jaw pain last after an ear infection?
Jaw pain usually starts to improve within a few days of the ear infection starting to clear. Once the infection is gone, the referred pain should stop. If jaw pain lingers for more than a week after the ear infection has cleared, tell your doctor—something else may be going on.
Can I chew normally while I have an ear infection?
Chewing can make jaw pain worse during an ear infection because it moves the jaw joint and can increase pressure in the ear. Stick to soft foods that do not require much chewing until the infection clears and the pain goes away.
Is jaw pain from an ear infection the same as TMJ disorder?
No. TMJ disorder is a problem with the jaw joint itself and usually causes pain that is not tied to an ear infection. Jaw pain from an ear infection goes away when the infection clears. If your jaw pain does not improve as the ear infection improves, you may have TMJ disorder or another separate issue.
What if my jaw pain is on the opposite side from my ear infection?
Referred pain from an ear infection almost always occurs on the same side as the infected ear. If your jaw pain is on the opposite side, it is probably not caused by the ear infection. Talk to your doctor about what might be causing the pain on the other side.