Can a child's earache come from their teeth?
Originally published
A child who points to their ear may have an ear problem, but pain from the teeth or jaw can sometimes be felt in the same area. Young children may also find it hard to say exactly where it hurts. The combination of symptoms matters more than the place they point to.
Do not assume that earache is teething. If your child is unwell, has a fever or has swelling, they may need medical or dental assessment rather than home care alone.
When to seek help
For earache with discharge, a change in hearing, swelling around the ear, a high temperature or a child who seems generally unwell, seek an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111. Get advice if it lasts more than two to three days, or if a child under two has pain in both ears. For children under five, call 111 rather than using the online service. The NHS earache guide explains these signs.
If there is toothache, a swollen gum, pain on biting or facial swelling, contact a dentist promptly. Suspected dental infection needs urgent dental care; NHS 111 can help if you cannot reach a dentist. Do not wait for a routine ear specialist appointment before seeking help for swelling or worsening pain.
Call 999 or go to A&E if swelling makes breathing, swallowing or speaking difficult, or affects the eye. A child who is very drowsy, hard to wake or struggling to breathe needs emergency medical help, whatever the suspected cause.
How can teeth cause pain near the ear?
Inflammation or infection in a tooth can cause pain that is difficult to localise. A cavity may be visible, but the absence of an obvious hole does not rule out a dental problem. The dentist will examine the mouth and decide whether further tests or X-rays are needed.
Teething can cause local discomfort, but it should not be used to explain significant illness. Wisdom teeth are also an unlikely explanation in a young child: they usually appear much later. Jaw muscles and joints are another possible source of pain near the ear, but this requires assessment rather than a diagnosis from symptoms alone.
What can you do while waiting?
Keep your child comfortable and offer fluids. A pharmacist can advise on suitable pain relief for their age and circumstances; follow the product instructions and do not give aspirin to under-16s. Do not put objects or unadvised remedies into the ear.
Tell the clinician when the pain began, whether it affects one or both sides, and whether there is fever, discharge, hearing difficulty or pain when chewing. Mention medicines already given. This helps the team decide which assessment is needed.
Treatment depends on the cause. A dental problem may need a filling, treatment of the pulp or removal of a tooth that cannot reasonably be kept. The choice differs between baby and adult teeth. Antibiotics are not an automatic treatment for toothache and do not replace treating the source of a dental infection.
Looking after your child’s teeth
Help your child brush twice a day with age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste and keep dental appointments at the interval advised for them. Ask for practical help with brushing or cleaning between teeth if you are unsure. These habits reduce dental risks, but they cannot prevent every cause of earache.
When the source of pain is unclear, ask for help rather than repeatedly treating presumed teething. Medical and dental teams may both need to assess your child.