Teeth grinding is something many of us do without even realising. It happens during the night or even unconsciously throughout the day. But could this seemingly harmless habit be linked to the persistent, irritating ringing in your ears? Can grinding your teeth cause tinnitus? Let’s dive deeper into the connection between bruxism, temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ), and the unsettling buzz or ringing that some of us know all too well.
What Is Tinnitus, and How Does It Happen?
Tinnitus is a sound only you can hear—whether it’s ringing, buzzing, or even a whooshing sound. This phenomenon is called subjective tinnitus. For some, tinnitus is a mild annoyance, but it can disrupt daily life for others. But what triggers this auditory anomaly?
Tinnitus can be caused by multiple factors, such as hearing loss due to ageing, exposure to loud sounds, or problems with the inner ear. However, less commonly discussed are musculoskeletal issues, specifically those tied to the jaw joint and teeth clenching. Could teeth grinding (or bruxism) trigger tinnitus? Absolutely. Here’s how.
The Teeth-Jaw-Ear Connection: It’s All in the Joint
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), located just in front of your ears, is one of the most complex joints in the body. It links your jaw to your skull and enables you to chew, speak, and move your jaw in various directions. But when something goes wrong with the TMJ, it can lead to a cascade of problems—including jaw pain, ear pain, and, yes, even tinnitus.
When you grind your teeth, especially at night during sleep bruxism, this joint and the surrounding jaw muscles endure excess strain. This tension can radiate to your ears, impacting the delicate structures of the auditory system, such as the middle and inner ear. Over time, this added stress can cause or exacerbate auditory symptoms, including the characteristic ringing, buzzing, or hissing sounds of tinnitus.
Jaw Clenching and Bruxism: The Culprits Behind Tinnitus?
The direct link between bruxism and tinnitus is becoming clearer. When you unconsciously grind or clench your teeth, the constant pressure affects the jaw joint and the surrounding chewing muscles. This muscular strain is often linked to TMJ disorders, which can, in turn, lead to tinnitus. Some individuals find that when they adjust their jaw position or stop clenching their teeth, the buzzing sound in their ears diminishes or disappears altogether.
But what exactly is happening here? Let’s break it down.
How Teeth Grinding Affects the Ears
The repetitive act of teeth clenching and grinding wears down the structures that support normal jaw function. Over time, this leads to inflammation in the jaw joint, triggering facial, jaw, and neck pain. These issues can spread to the surrounding areas, including the ears. The tension on your masticatory muscles affects the ear canal and middle ear, leading to that annoying ringing sound, which is often referred to as TMJ tinnitus or bruxism tinnitus.
If you’ve been wondering, “Can grinding teeth cause tinnitus?” The answer is yes, in many cases. Those who suffer from bruxism—whether mild or severe—are at an increased risk of experiencing tinnitus due to the strain it places on the jaw and surrounding areas.
Risk Factors for Bruxism and Tinnitus
Various factors can heighten the tendency for someone to grind their teeth and experience tinnitus as a result. These include:
- Stress: High-stress levels often lead to teeth clenching and grinding, especially while asleep.
- Sleep disorders: Sleep bruxism is common among those with sleep-related issues like sleep apnea.
- Dental problems: Crooked teeth, misaligned dental arches, or missing teeth can play a role in the onset of bruxism.
- Age-related hearing loss: Some people develop tinnitus due to both hearing loss and bruxism as they age.
- Certain medications: Some medications can make you more prone to bruxism, which could exacerbate tinnitus symptoms.
The Domino Effect: How Bruxism Leads to Other Issues
Beyond tinnitus, bruxism can trigger a range of other health problems. Ongoing teeth grinding can result in problems such as:
Tooth sensitivity and worn-down adult teeth.- Sore jaw, muscle pain, and myofascial pain.
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), which cause TMJ tinnitus, facial pain, and ear discomfort.
- Difficulty with chewing and biting, as well as more serious jaw joint damage.
Tooth sensitivity and worn-down adult teeth.All of these symptoms can contribute to or exacerbate tinnitus. For many, treating the underlying cause of bruxism can alleviate tinnitus symptoms. So, how do you tackle these issues?
How to Treat Bruxism and Tinnitus: Finding Relief
If you suspect that bruxism is behind your tinnitus, taking steps to treat it can help reduce tinnitus and other related symptoms. Here’s a look at some effective treatment options:
Mouth Guards or Oral Appliances
A custom-made mouth guard worn at night can help prevent teeth grinding during sleep. Stabilising your dental arches can relieve the pressure on the jaw joint, reducing both jaw pain and tinnitus.
Managing Stress
Because stress is a significant contributor to bruxism, focusing on stress management is crucial. Lifestyle changes like meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises can help relieve muscle tension and decrease stress, which in turn can improve both bruxism symptoms and tinnitus.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy can be highly useful for individuals with temporomandibular joint problems. Targeted exercises that strengthen and stretch the jaw muscles can aid in improving function, relieving pain, and easing tinnitus symptoms.
Dental Treatment
Consulting a dental professional to assess your bite can help identify whether crooked teeth or misaligned dental arches contribute to your grinding teeth. Correcting these issues may reduce or eliminate the ringing in your ears.
Hearing Aids
For individuals with hearing loss and tinnitus, hearing aids may help amplify background noise, making the tinnitus less noticeable. Although they won’t treat the root cause of bruxism, they can provide relief for tinnitus symptoms.
Medication
In some instances, specific medications might be recommended to help control muscle pain or decrease the occurrence of jaw clenching. However, exercise caution, as certain medications can aggravate tinnitus, so it’s important to consult your healthcare provider.
Reducing Bruxism and Tinnitus: A Holistic Approach
Ultimately, addressing both the underlying causes of bruxism and the associated factors can provide long-term relief. For many, the key to alleviating tinnitus bruxism lies in a multi-faceted approach that combines dental treatment, lifestyle changes, and stress management.
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder: A Key Player in Tinnitus
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) refers to a range of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the hinge connecting your jaw to your skull. When this joint is strained or damaged—often from teeth grinding, jaw clenching, or other factors—it can lead to a range of symptoms, including jaw pain, ear pain, facial pain, and even tinnitus. The TMJ is located near the inner ear, and shares nerves with parts of the auditory system, so issues with the jaw joint often result in auditory symptoms, such as ringing in your ears or bruxism tinnitus. People with TMD often experience discomfort when moving their jaw, along with clicking or popping sounds, and the ongoing tension in the jaw muscles can exacerbate tinnitus. Addressing temporomandibular disorders is crucial for reducing TMJ tinnitus and alleviating other related symptoms.
Sleep Bruxism: Grinding Teeth While You Sleep
Sleep bruxism is when you unconsciously grind your teeth or clench your jaw while sleeping. It’s one of the most common causes of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues and can lead to various symptoms, including jaw pain, muscle pain, and even tinnitus. Many people don’t even realise they have sleep bruxism until they start noticing side effects like sore jaw upon waking, tooth sensitivity, or tension headaches. The constant grinding wears down your teeth and puts stress on your jaw joint and chewing muscles, potentially affecting the inner ear and triggering bruxism tinnitus. For some, sleep bruxism is closely linked to stress or sleep disorders, making it essential to address both the underlying causes and the physical symptoms. Using a mouth guard at night or seeking bruxism treatments like physical therapy can help prevent teeth grinding and reduce the impact on your auditory system, relieving tinnitus and jaw-related discomfort.
What’s Next? Take the First Step Toward Relief
If you’re suffering from both tinnitus and bruxism, it’s important to consult with a dental professional or healthcare provider. They can assist in identifying the precise cause of your symptoms and suggest a personalised treatment plan that may include wearing a mouth guard, physical therapy, or other interventions designed to address temporomandibular disorders and ease the tension on your jaw joint.
While the connection between grinding teeth and tinnitus may seem surprising, it’s a real and treatable issue. You may finally find relief from that constant buzzing sound in your ears by addressing your jaw pain, teeth clenching, and bruxism symptoms.
If you’re ready to take the next step in managing bruxism and tinnitus, seek help today and explore the treatment options that can restore peace to your life.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us at Melbourne Dental Sleep Clinic:
Caulfield North : (03) 9068 5355
Footscray: (03) 9068 5357
Niddrie: (03) 9068 5316
Feel free to reach out to the location most convenient for you!
References:
NHS. (n.d.). Hearing aids and implants. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hearing-aids-and-implants/
Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Teeth grinding (bruxism). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10955-teeth-grinding-bruxism
WebMD. (n.d.). Understanding tinnitus: The basics. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-tinnitus-basics
