If you grind your teeth at night, you are at-risk of a number of dental problems, including weak and worn tooth enamel, tooth sensitivity, and even tooth decay. Some interventions can help, like Botox. Maybe it sounds surprising — but your oral surgeon in Houston knows there are more applications for Botox than purely cosmetic treatments. Keep reading to learn more about how Botox can help with bruxism, and where to find medical Botox.
What Is Bruxism?
Bruxism is teeth grinding and jaw clenching that occurs at night when you sleep. It is often caused by stress or a misaligned bite. Nerves in the TMJ activate and cause the jaw to move while you are asleep, resulting in the upper and lower teeth grinding against each other. People who have bruxism may wake up with a sore jaw or sensitive teeth. This condition is often first recognized by a partner who observes it while the sufferer is sleeping.
How Botox Can Stop Teeth Grinding
Botox works by paralyzing small muscles to prevent their contraction. It was initially recognized as a way to prevent and reduce fine lines and wrinkles, but recent studies have shown that Botox can also help with teeth grinding. It does this by freezing the muscles in the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) that cause the jaw to activate during sleep, thus preventing the gnashing together that damages tooth enamel over time.
Where to Find Medical Botox
Administering Botox for bruxism is different than when it is applied for cosmetic purposes, so you will not notice any reduction in wrinkles or fine lines with medical Botox (unless you choose to have these treated at the same time). Not every professional who offers Botox can administer it for bruxism treatment, so you will need to locate someone who specifically offers medical Botox. Just like with cosmetic Botox, you will need to have a retreatment approximately every 4 to 5 months to continue benefiting from the therapeutic effects.
Bruxism is a damaging habit that requires professional intervention, and the one that is right for you may come from an unexpected source — Botox! If you are dealing with the effects of nighttime teeth grinding, don’t hesitate to find a solution sooner rather than later.
Meet the Practice
The Piney Point Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery team offers a full list of Houston oral surgery services, including cosmetic facial treatments like Botox and Juvederm fillers. To learn more about medical applications of Botox or how it can be used to treat bruxism, you are invited to contact the office at 832-293-4912.