The bottom portion of the jaw, the mandible, connects to the skull at the temporomandibular joint, located just in front of the ear. This joint combines a hinge action with sliding motions to allow for talking, chewing and yawning. The close proximity of the jaw and ear explain why conditions that cause pain in one often affect the other.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder
Temporomandibular joint disorder causes tenderness and pain in the jaw and ear. Because of the constant movement required by the temporomandibular joint, cartilage covers the ends of the bones and a shock-absorbing disc separates the two bones. This construction keeps the joint moving smoothly. Arthritis, inflammation of the joint, can cause the cartilage to break down, allowing the bones to rub together painfully. Injury to the shock-absorbing disc can cause it to move out of alignment, affecting the movement of the joint, explains MayoClinic.com. Muscles run along the mandible and help stabilize the joint. When these muscles become fatigued, such as from clenching or night-time grinding, the joint becomes unstable and causes pain.
In addition to pain felt in the jaw and ear, TMJ disorder can cause difficulty chewing, facial pain, headache and an uneven bite that interferes with eating. Symptoms of TMJ disorders often subside on their own or through making lifestyle adjustments such as reducing stress. Doctors may recommend the use of a bite guard or medications classified as pain killers or muscle relaxants to help relieve the symptoms.
Referred Pain
Referred pain describes pain felt in one area of the body but originating in another area. Pain signals travel through the nerves to the brain. Because nerves run through many different areas to reach the brain, the brain may perceive the pain to be coming from a different area than it actually is. Many cases of ear pain in adults have nothing to do with the ear, but are referred from other places such as the jaw, teeth or throat, describes MedlinePlus.
Serous Otitis Media
Serous otitis media describes a condition characterized by the presence of fluid in the middle ear. The ear canal connects to the upper throat area through the Eustachian tube. The Eustachian tube equalizes the pressure in the middle ear by allowing air in every few seconds. An upper respiratory infection, brought on by a bacterium or virus, increases the production of mucus in the sinuses, which connect with the Eustachian tubes at the back of the throat. The excess mucus can become trapped in the Eustachian tube, resulting in a blockage. This blockage causes a feeling of fullness and pressure in the ear that can trigger pain not only in the ear, but also in the jaw.
