What Causes Pain In Jaws, Ears And Molars While Suffering From Sore Throat?

Posted on Tue, 10 May 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 10 May 2016 Answered on

Thu, 23 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Greetings. I was diagnosis with strep those yesterday (have a sore through since last Friday). Worse than the sore throat is the pain I feel in my jaw, teeth, glands, ear, and my dental bridge with is on the bottom molars. At its very worst, he pain raidiates from my gland/jaw/throat on the right side, up to my ear and cheek, and down the right side of my neck to my clavicle and chest. Mostly, however, it stays in the throat/tonsil/gland/jaw/teeth area. I started an antibiotic yesterday and received a steroid shot in the hopes that it hopes that it would reduce the swelling. I've taken percocet and ibuprofen,ice, heat, gargling, etc, but the pain is still there and at times worse. What do you recommend? Could it not be related to the strep? The pain did come on at the same time the sore throat started.... Is there something else I should be trying to help aleviate the agony? Thank you for your time!!

Answered by Dr. Saddiq Ulabidin (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You need a detailed ENT specialist review and antibiotics course

Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible.

First of all, it is sad to know what you had gone through. Based on the history you have shared, it can be local spread of infection in oral mucosa. whether the diagnosis of Strep was based on the clinical judgement of your GP or based on the culture and sensitivity report? as in the later case, it would also have suggested the antibiotics it is sensitive to? If not, then taking throat swab of culture would help to isolate the exact bacteria and antibiotics choice can be made accordingly. The kind of symptoms you have explained can be due to spread of infection inside leading to pressure symptoms due to stretch caused by collection of puss or inflammation underneath. In any case a detailed evaluation by an ENT specialist is mandatory to rule out peri tonsilar or sub pharyngeal abcess. It should be immediately diagnosed and treated accorindingly. For symptomatic relief you can use OTC analgesics like acetaminophen for both pain and inflammation. Wishing you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad