Teeth grinding is common. Bruxism is usually harmless, but its side effects can be annoying, such as waking up with sore teeth and jaws, facial pain, headaches. Over time, teeth grinding wears the teeth down and causes oral complications. Treatments include wearing teeth guards at night, relaxation techniques and of course, regular dental visits. Medical treatments include pain relief medications, or muscle relaxants.
BOTOX FOR TEETH GRINDING
Yes you read it right. Botox is the anti-wrinkle injection, but in this case, it can also be used to prevent the complications of teeth grinding. Teeth guards help, but they are only effective in protecting the teeth. Injecting Botox directly into the masseter muscles on both sides of the face will reduce the tension of these muscles, which removes all the problems of teeth grinding, especially jaw and facial pain. Pain relief occurs as early as within a week, and a welcome “side effect” of this treatment is it can reduce the size of the masseter muscles, so you notice a jaw slimming effect! In fact, teeth grinding usually results in hypertrophy of the masseters, which causes the jaw to look bigger and squarish. Botox is used commonly (off-label) to treat masseter hypertrophy.
All you need is a few jabs at the angle of the jaw at each both sides of the face. There is not downtime and usually no residual pain. A Botox jaw injection lasts approximately 5 to 6 months, and 9 months or longer if you have been having the treatment regularly.
Read up about Botox Masseters and V-Sculpt Program here.