Ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, can literally destroy one’s quality of life. If you are experiencing this symptom it can be the last thing you want to be dealing with this holiday season as you try to enjoy the festivities with your loved ones. If you’ve tried everything to treat it and your doctor is at a loss for what could be causing it, it may be time to visit Dr. Addario and consider the health of your TMJ, or temporomandibular joint. One of the symptoms of TMJ Disorder is tinnitus.
If TMJ disorder is causing your tinnitus, alleviating the stress caused by the misalignment of your jaw could alleviate the ringing in your ears, bringing you the relief you so desperately deserve! The temporomandibular joint is located where your jaw meets your face. It can be felt on either side of your face if you place your hands just in front of your ears while opening and closing your mouth. When this joint is under duress, usually from a misaligned bite, it can cause a whole host of symptoms such as:
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Ear aches
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Facial pain
- Difficulty chewing
- Pain while chewing
- Difficulty opening the mouth
- Pain while opening the mouth
- Jaw pain
- Clicking or popping sound when opening and closing the mouth
- Muscle spasms
- Hearing loss
- Dizziness
- Misalignment of the bite (teeth not fitting together properly)
Are you experiencing any of the other symptoms listed above in addition to your tinnitus? If so, it’s definitely time to come see Dr. Addario. It’s normal if symptoms come and go or if they are worse in the morning after just waking up and get better as the day goes on.
When it comes to diagnosing TMJ disorder, there is no standardized or formalized test that is widely accepted across the medical field. Instead, Dr. Addario will ask about your symptoms and together you will discuss how your symptoms are affecting your daily life. Then he will perform a physical exam to determine if TMJ disorder could be to blame.
In the past, a TMJ disorder diagnosis used to mean surgery and was often feared among patients, but thankfully advances in modern dentistry have come a long way and that is no longer the case. Dr. Addario will develop a treatment plan for you to help work to stabilize your bite and improve the health of your jaw through non-invasive therapies to alleviate the stress on your temporomandibular joint and eliminate symptoms.
If you are struggling with tinnitus and any other symptoms of TMJ disorder, call us today so we can help you get started on your journey to healing. You can schedule an appointment or virtual consult online or by calling us at 619-656-1788.