Tinnitus Caused by TMJ

Over 30 percent of the population in the United States suffers from tinnitus. This ailment has remained an issue in this country for decades. Tinnitus is known as a constant ringing of the ears and is sometimes accompanied by pain.

Those who suffer from Tinnitus say the noise sounds like hissing, roaring, buzzing, or clicking. The pain may be worsened or relieved by opening the jaw. The sounds can be soft or incredibly loud, and the case can range from mild to severe. There is no set length for those who suffer from Tinnitus. The noises can last months, years, or a lifetime.

Tinnitus and TMJ

The more severe cases keep people up at night and cause a significant deal of frustration. These noises can be heard in either both ears or just one; it depends on the case.

But the reason for this may be because the issue is not solely medical – it is also dental.

If you suffer from tinnitus, you could be experiencing a condition called Temporomandibular disorder, or TMJ Disorder for short. But what causes TMJ? The answer to this is malocclusion or a “bad bite.”

TMJ disorder can usually be hard to diagnose. Usually, a TMJ sufferer will visit their dentist after their physician is unable to make a diagnosis. This process can take weeks and even months.

Cause of TMJ

The cause of TMJ issues is a misalignment of the teeth. Misalignment puts the bones, muscles, joints, and tendons of the head and neck out of alignment as well.

This pain can also be paired with the decreased ability to open and close the mouth, popping or clicking noises coming from the jaw when opened or closed, and a limited ability to chew without accompanying discomfort.

This can cause a lot of strain on the muscles, including those of the ear. The ear muscles react to facial muscle tension because they are both connected to the trigeminal nerve. The result of this can be ear ringing and pain.

Tinnitus has been known to be a symptom of TMJ in many cases. These two are commonly experienced by the same individuals. The eardrum is located very close to the temporomandibular joint, which is the main joint at issue in cases of TMD.

If the temporomandibular joint becomes inflamed, it can affect the eardrum. The joint inflammation can affect the stabilization of the eardrum, which can cause the pain and noise associated with Tinnitus.

If you thought TMJ disorder only affects the head and neck – think again. It can affect the entire body. Even the slightest imbalance in your jaws can result in tinnitus, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and jaw pain.

Treatment for TMJ

Without jaw joint and tinnitus treatment, your symptoms are likely to get worse as time goes on. First, an occasional ear ringing and headache can quickly turn into being in constant pain down the road. As your symptoms progress, the ringing and ear pain will usually get more intense.

It is vital to get the treatment you need to get relief from your symptoms of today and the issues that could arise tomorrow.

The good news is there are ways to ease and sometimes even cure this ailment. One is by visiting an orthodontic. This is the ultimate TMJ Disorder treatment, as your orthodontic can prescribe braces that may fix your jar pain.

Another form of relief comes in a TENS Machine. This machine gives gentle electronic stimulation of the jaw muscles to release and relax more fully.

Another way to ease your suffering is a Custom-Fit Orthotic. This device aligns the jaw so that it’s in a position that’s natural and comfortable.

And finally, a more severe solution is a full mouth reconstruction – where professionals rebuild and reshape the teeth to allow for a better bite, relieving the muscles and joints in the area.
You may think that ear ringing or occasional ear pain is just a simple annoyance. But that’s not true – not if you look at your symptoms as part of a more significant concern that’s happening to your body.

The non-surgical options for treatment include medication, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, and following a soft foods diet. The non-surgical TMJ treatment options that have been known to help with Tinnitus are mouth guards, to prevent grinding, and splints to help stabilize the misaligned eardrum.

While TMJ sounds scary, there are many things you can do to help correct this condition and get your mouth and ears back to normal. The trick here is to get your body back to the healthy equilibrium it needs. If you or someone you love is suffering from TMJ, it is essential to contact a health care professional as soon as possible to help find a way to try and cure this ailment.

If you live in the Las Vegas area and are experiencing tinnitus symptoms, contact Hearing Associates of Las Vegas today and get on the path towards a quick recovery.