WHAT IS TINNITUS OR RINGING IN THE EARS?
Tinnitus is a common condition characterized by noise or ringing in the ears, affecting one in every five people. This condition can result from damage of sensory hearing cells or from an underlying medical or dental condition.
Most people experience tinnitus as a disturbing ringing in the ears, however, it can also take the form of buzzing, whining, whistling and other noises. Tinnitus is sometimes described as a loss of silence, mostly perceived in the absence of external noises, such as during bedtime.
SYMPTOMS OF TINNITUS: hearing noises in the absence of external sounds; they can vary in pitch, ranging from a low roar to a very high squeal. The sounds can be present at all times or it can come and go. Sometimes, the noise can be so loud that it interferes with concentration, hearing and sleeping.
MOST COMMON CAUSES OF TINNITUS:
- Prolonged exposure to loud sounds: can cause damage to the sensitive cells in the inner ear
- Blockage of the ear: it can be caused by infection or excessive ear wax
- Aging: can lead to changes in the inner parts of the ear
- Medical conditions: several diseases can lead to tinnitus, including diabetes, high blood pressure, circulatory conditions, allergies, autoimmune disease, otosclerosis, etc.
- Medications: about 200 types of medications present tinnitus as a potential side effect. Aspirine, antibiotics, sedatives and anti-inflammatories are included in this long list.
- Bad bite
HOW CAN A BAD BITE CAUSE TINNUTUS?
In many cases of tinnitus there is a dental component making the situation worse. Problems in the jaw joint, called temporomandibular joint (TMJ) by the dentists, can cause problems in the ears, including tinnitus.
Misalignment of teeth lead to pressure and strain in the chewing muscles, bones, tendons and joints. In many instances, when there is a bad bite, the lower jaw moves into a position that is further back in the joint, causing imbalance in the joint itself. This puts pressure in the ear, as it is closely related to the jaw joint.
Furthermore, ear muscles tense up when there is tension in the chewing muscles. Altogether, muscle tension in the jaws, face and head can put pressure in the middle and inner ear, which can lead to ringing in the ears.
HOW CAN MEDICAL ORTHODONTICS HELP IMPROVE TINNITUS
In order to diagnose tinnitus, a multidisciplinary team can be necessary, involving the physician, the dentist and possibly an ear nose specialist and audiologist. If medical conditions and medications are not causing the problem, it is likely that a bad bite is the culprit.
The dentist can notice sore facial and chewing muscles, often combined with sore jaw joints and clicking upon opening the mouth.
Treatment will depend on what is causing the bite problems. It can be necessary to adjust or replace fillings, crowns or bridges. In many cases, misaligned, crooked, tilted and crowded teeth are the cause, which requires orthodontic treatment.
BAD BITE CORRECTION THROUGH CLEAR ALIGNER THERAPY
Orthodontic treatment can easily correct bite problems through clear aligner therapy, which is a much better option for adults due to the comfort and the discrete appearance. When teeth are lined up correctly and have the proper inclination in relation to the bone, there will be less stress for the bones and muscles, which leads to more balanced joints, alleviating ear problems such as tinnitus.
The orthodontist can also recommend an oral device to gently help reposition the lower jaw and provide relief to the ear nerves.
Do you suffer from ringing in the ears? Talk to you dentist and he will check your bite and offer you the best possible treatment to improve your oral conditions and general wellbeing.