What can cause sharp ear pain while chewing food?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am a 31 year old unmarried male. I am getting very sharp and heavy pain in left ear side, inside center part of the ear, whenever I chew or eat food. This was started 4 days back. But, it was not that much noticeable and today morning it has increased. Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. Your ear pain could be either due to a dental problem or nerve problem, a condition called trigeminal neuralgia. If it is dental problem it has to be addressed by a dentist. The treatment is either tooth extraction or a root canal treatment. Hence, first kindly get examined by a dentist and make sure whether it is due to dental problem or not. If it is not due to tooth issue then you need to be started on a medication called Carbamazepine for one or two months for the nerve problem.

Answer 2

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, temperomandibular joint disorder may also be a possibility. But, in that case just opening the mouth will cause pain. A dentist shall evaluate that also. He may advise an x-ray to check for that. If everything turns out normal then we need to consider trigeminal neuralgia.