The literature has recently documented that dental bruxism (defined as daytime and/or night time clenching and grinding with or without noise) has increased dramatically over the last 40 years. Many ear, nose and throat specialists have noticed a similar increase in tinnitus and vertigo during the same time period. Because the the anatomy of the inner ear and temporomandibular joint are adjacent, it was just a matter of time before the medical and dental specialists discovered the connection.
Can TMJ Cause Dizziness?
Yes. When your TMJ gets inflamed, your ears might be affected and cause dizziness. In some cases, you might experience nausea and vomiting.
How Does TMJ Make You Dizzy?
The temporal bones, which are near the base of the skull, are connected to the jaw. When the jaw joint is misplaced or inflamed, pressure is placed on the temporal area, resulting in vertigo, dizziness, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), or ear pressure build-up.
How Clenching and Grinding Effect You
It is documented that people clench or grind 2-6 hours nightly. The major variable is intensity. This intensity has been measured up to 3000PSI. In contrast, chewing has been measured at 68 PSI. That is almost 50 times more intense at night. With intense grinding and clenching, the TMJ area becomes very inflamed. Because of the close proximity to the inner ear and trigeminal nerve, tinnitus and dizziness can become an issue. Ortho-Stop, worn at night, will greatly reduce clenching and grinding. If the tinnitus or vertigo is TMJ related, Ortho-Stop should be considered in the treatment of tinnitus or vertigo patient. Nightguards are of minimal help. Ortho-Stop is custom made for your mouth and is very comfortable. Ortho-Stop is cost-effective and highly effective in reducing the symptoms of nighttime clenching and grinding. Improvements are usually noticed between 1-4 weeks. More information about Ortho-Stop and its creator, Robert Pine D.D.S., is available at www.Ortho-Stop.com.
More to come on Clenching and Grinding
Future blogs will discuss deep sleep, anxiety, depression, immunity and wellness and there relationship to clenching and grinding.
