Grinding your teeth is a habit that many people have, but it can lead to some serious health problems. It may seem like the only consequence of grinding your teeth is getting a sore jaw and neck, but there is more to it than that. Grinding your teeth can also affect your hearing! This article discusses how grinding your teeth affects hearing and what you can do about it.
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the term used to describe the grinding of teeth. It is a common problem that many people have, and it can lead to some serious health problems if it is not treated. Bruxism can cause pain in the jaw, neck, and ears, and in some serious cases leading to hearing loss.
Symptoms of bruxism
The symptoms of bruxism can vary from person to person. Some people may not experience any symptoms, while others may experience pain in the jaw, neck, and ears. Some people may also experience hearing loss as a result of bruxism in more severe cases.
How does bruxism cause hearing loss?
Bruxism can cause hearing loss in a few different ways. The first way is by causing damage to the ear canal. When you grind your teeth, it creates a lot of noise. This noise can be very damaging to the delicate tissues in your ears and can lead to hearing loss.
The second way bruxism can cause hearing loss is by causing damage to the inner ear. The inner ear contains small sensory cells that are used for hearing, balance, and equilibrium. These sensory cells can be damaged if you grind your teeth at night.
Bruxism and tinnitus
Bruxism can also cause tinnitus, a buzzing or ringing in the ears. The noise you hear from bruxism may be due to damage to your inner ear. However, it might not be possible for a doctor to tell if the bruxism caused the tinnitus or if the two problems are unrelated.
How is bruxism treated?
There are a few different ways that bruxism can be treated. The first way is with the use of a nightguard. A night guard fits over your teeth and prevents you from grinding your teeth at night. This treatment option provides relief for people who experience pain in their jaw, neck, and ears from grinding their teeth at night. Therefore, you should be keen when selecting a nightguard.
The second way that bruxism can be treated is with medication. There are a few different medications that can be used to help treat bruxism. These medications may help reduce the amount of clenching and grinding that you do at night.
Lastly, in some cases of bruxism, a medical device known as a splint may be used to treat the problem. A medical device referred to as a TENS unit may also be used to control muscle spasms and relieve pain for people whose bruxism causes them pain.
Other relaxation techniques may also be used to treat bruxism. Relaxation techniques may include meditation, yoga, or massage therapy.
In Conclusion
Grinding your teeth can cause hearing loss in a few different ways. The noise you create when you grind your teeth can damage the delicate tissues in your ears and lead to hearing loss. Additionally, the grinding of teeth can cause damage to the inner ear, which can lead to tinnitus. Bruxism can be treated with a nightguard, medication, or medical device. Additionally, other relaxation techniques may be used to help treat the problem. If you are experiencing pain in your jaw, neck, or ears due to bruxism, it is vital to seek treatment.
