Has someone recently told you that you grind your teeth at night? Or maybe you know you‘re guilty of grinding your teeth. You may be wondering how to stop and what’s behind your bruxism (teeth grinding) urges.
There are a few different causes as to why you may be clenching or grinding your teeth. But did you know Botox® can be an instant solution for clenching and grinding? Yes, really!
Here’s everything you need to know about how Botox can help with teeth grinding.
What is bruxism?
First off, let’s talk a little more about bruxism. If you’re familiar with it, you understand the vicious cycle of grinding followed by headaches. Many people clench their jaw and grind their teeth unconsciously in their sleep, while others clench and grind while they’re still awake. This condition spells trouble for your entire oral health as bruxism destroys periodontal tissues and without supporting periodontal tissues, plaque and bacteria have a quick route to your jaw bone.
Causes
While most teeth clenching is due to stress or anxiety, there are a few other culprits to bruxism causes:
- Malocclusion or bite misalignment
- Missing teeth
- Sleep apnea
- Dehydration
- Caffeine consumption
- Medical conditions, like cerebral palsy
- Certain types of medications, specifically antipsychotics and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Symptoms
Here’s a few of the common symptoms of bruxism patients:
- Earaches
- Migraines
- Facial or TMJ pain
- Headaches
- Loss of enamel
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Severe dental problems
- Flattened or chipped teeth
How does Botox work for bruxism?
Wait, Botox for clenching and grinding? Yes! Many of the health benefits of Botox are often overlooked as many people believe Botox are purely cosmetic solutions. But this isn’t the case, Botox works by relaxing the muscles where treatment is injected. In the case of bruxism, Botox is injected into the masseter muscle, the muscle responsible for moving (or clenching) the jaw.
With small injections of botulinum toxin (aka Botox), your jaw muscles can relax significantly, which eradicates the unconscious tendency to clench and grind.
After about 7 to 10 days post-Botox-injection, there will be a noticeable difference in your symptoms. Botox provides relief from jaw soreness, headaches, facial pain, earaches, flattened teeth, and many more of the unpleasant symptoms associated with bruxism.
Not only is Botox known to alleviate these uncomfortable symptoms, some people even consider Botox treatments more effective than night guards and other popular bruxism treatments!
Still have questions about how Botox can help teeth clenching and grinding?
PHC has been providing advanced periodontal care in the Tampa Bay area since 1977 so please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.
At your first visit, one of our experienced periodontists (Dr. Stilley, Dr. Medina, or Dr. Mashkouri) will examine and determine the health of your periodontal structures from your bruxism tendencies. They’ll discuss the Botox process with you and ensure you’re comfortable and happy with your personalized treatment plan.
Request an appointment today!
