Teeth Clenching and Tinnitus

My high frequency tinnitus gets louder when I clench my teeth. Any ideas why? If it is modifiable, is there a chance for a cause to eliminate so that the tinnitus will dissipate as well?

 

Hi Nathalie,

Sounds like you should make an appointment with an oral surgeon for a TMJ/bruxism investigation.

 

I think this is very common.

 

Very common. I thought there was something related too but talked to several doctors who all said it was not a correlation and they had the same reaction when they clenched their teeth

 

Sometimes when I clench my teeth it modulates some of my T sounds. Same when I open my mouth wide.

I do have some TMJ symptoms. The best I can do is get x-rays to confirm it at my next dentist visit. I can't afford any treatment. I have an overbite, and several crooked teeth from sucking my thumb as a child and not letting my parents pull my teeth. I'd really love to get Orthodontics to fix my bite. (I noticed when I rest my teeth normally, my jaw does shift slightly to fit into the teeth). But even if I could afford it, i'm very afraid it might make my TMJD symptoms irreversibly worse.

 

mmmm this TMJ thing .......I have never ever seen anyone on any forum say fixing their TMJ cured their T and I have got MRI confirmed TMJ I have had Bite Plates I have had 12ks worth of teeth work ,still have TMJ still have Tinnitus

TMJ is not easy to fix and if you go down that road be prepared for heartache and lots of money

 

I've had TMJ problems off & on for years. Most of the time with relaxation & some easy exercises it settles down. Flare ups, for me, last about 2-6 weeks.
I would definitely stay away from realigning your teeth, injections or surgery. I have never heard any good stories of these "fixes". But.....just do your homework and make an informed decision.

 

Somatosensory. There are cross connections which develop in seemingly unrelated structures in response to the condition of tinnitus, and making certain head and neck movements can activate the sound. Look at the work of Dr. Susan Shore for a more complete explanation.

 

One of my frequencies goes away completely when I clench my teeth really hard.