Ear Infection Jaw Pain One Side

The reason for an ear infection jaw pain one side is a harrowing experience. Some earaches have caused such excruciating pain that persons were on the brink of insanity.

The cause could be the closeness to the brain, but all earaches must go, whatever the reason. The purpose of these information nuggets is to empower you with the knowledge to help you.

You must understand the information doesn’t replace your doctor visits and advice. What it does is help you understand various diseases related to your problem and find a way to resolve it if seeing a doctor isn’t possible.

We know that this can happen as life isn’t always a straightforward journey, so many will use the internet to answer their problems. If that person is you, there is much to read that informs you to make wise decisions.

You will learn how to treat your body by figuring out the cause of your conditions and treating it. You will learn how to sort the symptoms to know which disease affects you. 

These are things that can prove critical to your outcome if you don’t have access to medical care or a doctor. Here are the conditions that can cause ear and jaw infections.

Ear Infection Jaw Pain One Side – The Likely Causes

Viruses & Bacteria

One of the leading causes of ear infections is viruses and bacteria. Our bodies are constantly fighting bacteria and viruses; we may overlook this ongoing battle at times. 

These viruses and bacteria could be the common cold or the more severe influenza. A virus may result in a respiratory condition and will go away on its own. The disease can persist for two weeks, depending on the contraction’s severity.

The bacteria infection is different from the virus, resulting from the initial disease. Many of the symptoms are similar but can be worse, and the time frame is longer than that of a virus. 

The symptoms of a virus are cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, and trouble sleeping. Other symptoms are fever, sore throat, and restlessness, especially in children. The ear and jaw can experience pain due to the infection.

The bacteria symptoms are fever worse than the virus and long-term illness. If the condition worsens after two weeks, bacteria is the culprit and will need medication to resolve it.

Treatment is necessary as these conditions can lead to pneumonia or other respiratory issues. The treatment for viruses is antiviral medicines which can only do so much.

The body usually fights the infection on its own as no medication stops the virus.

Treatment for bacteria is the application of warm cloth to the ear and ear drops. Other treatments are pain medication, decongestants, and sleeping on the unaffected ear to avoid irritating the infected one.

Dental Infections

Tooth decay and abscesses are the more common dental problems that cause ear and jaw pain. As the tooth decays, it becomes more sensitive to touch and exposes the nerve.

That is the main cause of jaw and ear pain as the nerve inflames. An abscess is a bump that breeds pus and infects the teeth and gum. The infection can also cause issues for the ear and jaw as that can spread.

Symptoms of tooth decay are rotten teeth, bad breath, and toothache. The jaw and ear can become sore and painful due to the severity of tooth decay. 

Symptoms of an abscess are swelling in the jaw and pus in the mouth. This condition can cause bad breath and earache, and law pain. Toothache is another sign of abscess pain.

Treatment for tooth decay is the extraction of the affected tooth or filling the hole in the teeth. In some cases, it is better to pull the tooth. Other options are root canals and pain medication to numb the pain.

Treatment for an abscess is to drain the pus from the lump by incision. Washing the bump with saltwater is common after an incision. Other treatments are antibiotics, tooth extraction, and a root canal. 

Ear Infection Jaw Pain One Side

The head is a very complex part of the body as many functions work coherently. That is why ear infections affect the jaw and cause pain. It is why pain in the jaw can cause earache and lead to an infection.

There are a few more conditions to see, so keep reading.

Sternocleidomastoid Pain

The condition of sternocleidomastoid pain is due to the inflaming of this muscle. The sternocleidomastoid runs from close to the ear toward the collar bone. This muscle can affect the sinus, ear, eyes, and jaws.

Symptoms of an inflamed sternocleidomastoid are eye pressure, earache, jaw pain, and sinusitis. Other symptoms are nausea, dizziness, imbalance, ringing in the ears, and fatigue of the muscles.

You can treat this condition with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and the natural equivalent in foods. Other treatments include rest, icing the affected area, and heat packs. 

You should consider lifestyle changes as well. Some things you can try are improved posture and physical therapy. Other treatments are surgery or a visit to the chiropractor.

TMJ Dysfunction

The TMJ also called the temporomandibular joint, is the hinge that helps the jaws open and shut. Whenever this joint becomes inflamed, it can cause severe pain. The common causes of TMJ are arthritis, injury, unalignment of jaws, and teeth grinding. 

The symptoms of TMJ are facial pain and locking of the jaws. You may experience earache and jaw pain as well. Other symptoms are problems eating, as chewing can be painful.

Treatment for this condition is to eat soft foods and take pain medication. Other treatment options are icing the affected area for ten minutes several times a day. To prevent worsening the condition, you may need a bite guard for sleep time.

The causes of an ear infection jaw pain one side requires some thought. It would help if you were careful when ascertaining which condition may apply to you. This advice is critical to the treatment you will try, so be sure of what you have to do.

Above all, seek the advice of a medical practitioner and get well.