Ear pain can strike suddenly, even while you are swallowing or chewing. There are numerous causes of ear pain while chewing; understanding the cause allows for more appropriate treatment. What causes ear pain while swallowing? Check out the following review.

Causes Of ear pain while swallowing

Ear pain while swallowing may be caused by inflammation, injury, or infection in the mouth, throat, teeth, or jaw. The pain can feel like a deep ache, sharp or burning pain, or fullness in one or both ears. Some causes of ear pain are relatively harmless, but if not treated immediately, they can interfere with daily activities.

Some of the causes of ear pain while swallowing are:

Ear infection

An ear infection is the most common cause of swallowing-related ear pain. Most ear infections occur in the middle ear, an air-filled cavity behind the eardrum. Ear infections typically occur after an upper respiratory tract infection and cause swelling of the eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear and sinus cavities.

In addition to ear pain while swallowing, ear infections can cause symptoms such as:

• Ear fullness
• Nasal congestion
• Cough
• Fever
• Nausea or vomiting
• Discharge from the ears
• Loss of appetite

Throat infection

A sore throat can also cause ear pain while swallowing. This is typically caused by bacterial or viral infections like the common cold, influenza, or laryngitis. Other symptoms associated with a sore throat include:

• Swallowing pain
• Fever
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck
• Headache
• Joint pain
• Bad breath

Tempromandibar joint disorders

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jawbone to the skull on both sides of the head. Disruption of this joint causes ear pain and jaw pressure, making chewing and swallowing difficult.

TMJ symptoms may include:

• Jaw pain and stiffness
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Headache
• Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw
• Locked jaw or difficulty moving the jaw

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN) is a rare neurological condition characterized by severe, recurrent stabbing pain in the ear, tongue, tonsils, and throat.

The pain is usually felt when you move your jaw to chew, swallow, yawn, speak, or sneeze. The pain typically affects one side of the face and throat and lasts between a few seconds and a few minutes.

Dental abscess

A dental abscess is the appearance of pus caused by a bacterial infection around the tooth. When you have a cavity in your tooth, bacteria can enter through the space between the tooth and the gums, causing infection. The infection can spread from the tooth to the gums, jawbone, and sinuses, causing ear pain while swallowing or chewing.

Treatment of ear pain while chewing

If you experience ear pain while chewing, see a doctor for a precise evaluation and treatment. Mild cases of ear pain while swallowing can be treated at home. However, if it is caused by infections or severe dental problems, it necessitates specialized care.

Here are some of the home remedies that can be done to relieve ear pain:

• Apply a warm compress to the painful ear area
• Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol
• Drink plenty of water
• Using ear drops
• Chewing gum

If the above treatments do not relieve ear pain, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, decongestants, physical therapy, or surgery for severe cases of tooth abscess and GPN.

Ear pain while chewing can interfere with your daily activities. If you experience these symptoms, you should consult a doctor for proper treatment. If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

Looking for more information about other diseases? Click here!