Have you ever felt like the room is spinning around you? This type of dizziness, known as vertigo, affects up to 40% of adults at some point in their lives. While it can have a range of causes, in some instances it is related to TMJ disorder (TMD). What exactly is the connection between these conditions, and is there anything you can do to find relief? This blog post provides valuable information.
What Is Vertigo?
Vertigo is a sensation that makes you feel as if you or your surroundings are spinning, tilting, or moving even when everything is actually still. You might notice this unsettling feeling when you change positions, move your head, or sometimes even while standing perfectly still. Vertigo is not a disease — rather, it is a symptom that signals an issue in your body’s balance system.
You experience vertigo when signals between your inner ear, brain, and sensory nerves become disrupted or confused. The inner ear contains structures that help you sense movement and orientation. If these structures are affected by inflammation, injury, or pressure, your brain may misinterpret information, leading to the spinning sensation and imbalance that characterize vertigo.
How Is TMD Connected to Vertigo?
The temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are located close to the structures of the inner ear that are essential for maintaining balance. When someone has TMJ disorder (TMD), inflammation or dysfunction in these joints can affect the surrounding tissues, including those that play a critical role in balance and spatial orientation.
This proximity means that swelling, muscle tension, or misalignment in the TMJs can put pressure on nearby nerves and blood vessels, occasionally disrupting the signals that help you maintain your equilibrium. For some individuals, this results in sensations of dizziness or vertigo.
Additionally, TMD often leads to muscle tightness in the jaw, face, neck, and even upper shoulders — areas that are interconnected with the body’s balance mechanisms. As a result, disturbances in these muscles and joints may further contribute to disorientation or spinning sensations, particularly when moving your head or jaw.
Finding Relief
If you suspect that your dizziness or vertigo may be linked to TMJ disorder, it is essential to seek professional advice. A skilled dentist can perform a thorough assessment of your jaw joints, bite, and surrounding muscles to determine whether TMJ dysfunction might be contributing to your symptoms.
Following a comprehensive evaluation, your dentist can develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses the underlying causes of your discomfort. This may include therapies such as custom oral appliances, bite adjustments, jaw exercises, lifestyle modifications, or referrals to other specialists if necessary. By addressing TMJ disorder directly, you may find not only relief from jaw pain but also a reduction in episodes of dizziness and vertigo.
The connection between TMD and vertigo is strong! If you have either of these issues, seeking timely treatment may help you to avoid long-term problems.
Meet the Practice
At Smile Fitness Dental Centers, Drs. Bernard Florento, Joseph Santoro, and Dositej Stulic work together to provide top-quality care for our community. We are qualified to diagnose and treat TMJ disorder; the therapies we offer are both effective and conservative. To learn more about us and how we may be able to assist you, contact our Phoenix, AZ, office at 623-303-0967.