You’re snuggled up in bed, trying desperately to fall asleep, but you swear you hear it: a constant ringing in your ears. This is a common experience for those with tinnitus, a condition that can make you hear ringing, humming, or a dull roar that is not created by an external source. Tinnitus symptoms can range from mildly irritating to downright debilitating depending on how loud the perceived sounds become.

With that textbook definition out of the way, you might be wondering what the TMJ (temporomandibular joint – a joint that connects the lower jaw to the skull) has to do with chronic ear-ringing. The connection is a detailed one, so you’ll have to keep reading to get the scoop!

Denture sores are irritated or inflamed areas on the gums that develop when dentures don’t fit quite right or when they create repeated pressure on soft tissue. One of the most common causes is an improper fit, which can happen as the shape of the gums naturally changes over time. Even well-made dentures may need periodic adjustments.

Other causes include trapped food particles beneath the denture, poor oral hygiene, or wearing dentures for too long without giving the gums a break. In some cases, new denture wearers are more prone to sores simply because their mouth is still adjusting to the appliance. Underlying conditions such as oral yeast infections (like thrush) can also worsen irritation.