Vertigo occurs when a person feels as if they or the room are spinning or swaying, even while remaining still. It can cause nausea, vomiting, sweating, difficulty walking or standing, and a sensation that balance is “off.”

The condition is not the simple dizziness caused by standing up quickly or low blood pressure. Vertigo is a symptom related to the vestibular system, which includes the brain, inner ear, cochlear nerve and other structures responsible for balance, hearing, eye movements and posture.

Common causes include BPPV (tiny crystals in the inner ear that move out of place), Ménière’s disease (excessive fluid in the ear), vestibular neuritis (inflammation of a balance nerve, often caused by a virus), certain medications such as aspirin, and exposure to heavy metals and chemicals, most often mercury.

How Dentistry and Oral Health Can Be Connected to Vertigo

Oral infections—such as tooth abscesses, root canal failures, fractured teeth, sinus infections, severe periodontitis or viral infections, especially herpes—can spread through anatomical pathways like the Eustachian tube, which connects the middle ear and throat. This may trigger or worsen inner ear infections such as vestibular neuritis.

Vestibular neuritis is inflammation of the vestibular nerve, which plays a key role in balance and spatial orientation. Patients with vertigo or vestibular neuritis should inform their dentist before treatment, as procedures can sometimes aggravate symptoms. There is also a link between dental work and BPPV, which can complicate recovery from vestibular neuritis.

Dental Work and Vertigo

Patients should tell their dentist about any history of vertigo before procedures. Dental visits can sometimes trigger symptoms, particularly if a patient lies back for long periods or turns their head at an angle.

Making a Comfortable Dental Visit Possible

•  Schedule appointments at times of day when symptoms are least pronounced

•  Request short appointments or breaks during long procedures

•  Keep the head slightly raised and straight

•  Bring a small pillow or blanket for comfort

•  Ask for quiet surroundings and avoid strong scents (perfumes, candles, air fresheners)

•  Avoid dental materials with strong smells or tastes

•  Bring a friend or family member if possible

•  Reschedule if experiencing cold sores or take antiviral medication beforehand

Dental procedures or instruments can sometimes dislodge the tiny balance crystals in the inner ear. If spinning or dizziness occurs afterward, patients should see a doctor or physical therapist. Special head exercises, such as the Epley or Semont maneuvers, can help reposition the crystals under professional guidance, and medication or supplements may be prescribed.

Jaw Problems and Vertigo

Teeth grinding or clenching, often related to stress, can affect the TMJ, the jaw joint near the ear. TMJ issues can cause ear pain, tinnitus, dizziness or vertigo. Stress management, night guards, low-level laser therapy, ozone treatment or jaw relaxation techniques may help.

Mercury and Vertigo

Mercury, a heavy metal, can affect the brain and nervous system. Exposure may come from contaminated fish, dental amalgam fillings or occupational contact. Symptoms of mercury toxicity may include memory problems, anxiety, depression, confusion, dizziness, vertigo, or tingling and numbness in the hands and feet.

Mercury can bind to nerve tissue and travel to the brain, interfering with nerve signals and damaging protective myelin sheaths. It may also affect hormone-regulating glands. Studies have shown that mercury levels in the brain correlate with the number of amalgam fillings a patient has. Exposure to other metals, such as aluminum or lead, can intensify mercury’s effects.

Patients with vertigo should always inform their dentist, request accommodations for safety and comfort, and coordinate with both dental and medical professionals to determine causes and optimize treatment.