Why chewing can make the ear hurt
The temporomandibular joint connects the lower jaw to the skull directly in front of the ear canal. Every time you chew, the joint glides and the chewing muscles contract. The ear, the jaw joint and the teeth share sensory nerves, so pain from one area is often felt in another. That is why an ENT examination of a painful ear frequently shows a completely normal ear, with the problem in the joint or muscles.
Jaw joint problems (TMD): the most common cause
- Ear pain or a dull ache in front of the ear, worse when chewing, yawning or talking a lot.
- Clicking, popping or grating in the jaw; see jaw clicking when chewing.
- Stiffness or difficulty opening the mouth fully, sometimes with locking.
- Headaches at the temples, tired jaw muscles in the morning and teeth grinding or clenching.
- A feeling of fullness or ringing in the ear without an ear problem.
Stress, clenching, grinding at night, chewing gum, biting nails and hard or chewy foods all overload the joint. See also TMJ symptoms and jaw and ear pain.
Ear causes
- Outer ear infection (otitis externa): pain that increases when the jaw moves or the ear is pulled, with itching, swelling of the canal and discharge, often after swimming; see swimmer’s ear.
- Middle ear infection: deep ear pain, reduced hearing and sometimes fever, usually after a cold.
- Earwax blockage: fullness and muffled hearing, sometimes with discomfort.
- Eustachian tube dysfunction: pressure and popping that can feel worse with jaw movement.
Teeth, glands and other causes
- Dental problems: wisdom teeth, cavities or an abscess in a back tooth refer pain to the ear, often with sensitivity to hot or cold.
- Salivary gland stones or infection: swelling and pain in front of the ear or under the jaw that appear or worsen at mealtimes, when saliva flow increases.
- Sinusitis: upper teeth and facial pain that can spread to the ear.
- Throat infections: pain felt in the ear when swallowing; see ear pain when swallowing.
- Nerve pain: brief electric-shock pain triggered by chewing can be trigeminal or glossopharyngeal neuralgia.
- Giant cell arteritis: in people over 50, jaw pain when chewing that eases with rest, with headache and scalp tenderness, needs urgent assessment.
Clues to the cause
- Pain when pressing in front of the ear and opening wide points to the jaw joint.
- Pain when pulling the ear lobe, itching or discharge points to the ear canal.
- Swelling that appears with meals points to a salivary gland.
- Tooth sensitivity, gum swelling or bad taste points to the teeth.
- Pain in one ear that started after a cold, with muffled hearing, points to the middle ear.
What helps
- Eat soft foods for a week or two and cut food into small pieces.
- Avoid chewing gum, chewy sweets, hard bread crusts and nail biting.
- Do not open the mouth very wide; support the chin when yawning.
- Apply warmth to the jaw muscles for 10 to 15 minutes, or a cold pack if the joint is swollen.
- Rest position: lips together, teeth apart, tongue resting on the roof of the mouth.
- Gentle jaw massage and relaxation exercises, and stress management.
- Paracetamol or ibuprofen for a few days if suitable.
- If you grind at night, a dentist can fit a night guard.
For an outer ear infection, keep the ear dry and see a doctor for ear drops; do not insert cotton buds.
Professional treatment
An ENT specialist examines the ear canal and eardrum, the jaw joint and muscles, teeth and salivary glands, and checks hearing if needed. Jaw disorders usually improve with self-care, physiotherapy for the jaw muscles and a dental splint. Ear infections are treated with ear drops or, for middle ear infections, sometimes antibiotics. Salivary gland stones may need imaging and removal, and dental problems are treated by a dentist.
When to see a doctor
- Ear discharge, swelling of the ear canal, fever or hearing loss.
- Swelling in front of the ear or under the jaw.
- Jaw locking or inability to open the mouth.
- Jaw pain when chewing with headache and scalp tenderness if you are over 50: urgent same-day assessment.
- Pain lasting more than two weeks despite self-care.
- Ear pain with a sore throat on one side, difficulty swallowing or a neck lump that persists.
Key points to remember
- The jaw joint is the most common cause of ear pain when chewing.
- Outer ear infections, teeth and salivary glands are other causes.
- Soft foods, jaw rest, warmth and painkillers help most jaw-related pain.
- Discharge, swelling, fever or hearing loss need assessment.
Questions about ear pain when chewing
These answers are general information and do not replace an examination or individual medical advice.
Why does my ear hurt when I chew?
Usually because the jaw joint, just in front of the ear, is strained or inflamed. Ear infections, teeth and salivary glands are other causes.
Can an ear infection cause pain when chewing?
Yes, especially outer ear infection, which hurts when the jaw moves or the ear is touched.
Can wisdom teeth cause ear pain when chewing?
Yes. Pain from back teeth is often felt in the ear.
How long does TMJ ear pain last?
Most episodes improve within a few weeks with jaw rest, soft foods and self-care.
Should I see a dentist or an ENT for ear pain when chewing?
See an ENT if there are ear symptoms such as discharge or hearing loss, and a dentist if there is tooth pain or grinding. Either can assess the jaw joint.
Is ear pain when chewing serious?
Usually not, but swelling, fever, discharge, hearing loss or jaw pain with headache over age 50 need prompt assessment.
Sources
- NHS · Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
- NHS · Earache
- NHS · Ear infections: otitis externa
- NHS · Salivary gland stones
- NHS · Dental abscess
- NHS · Giant cell arteritis
This guide is for general information and does not replace medical advice. How a problem is diagnosed and treated depends on your examination and medical history. If you think you have an emergency, contact your local emergency services.