Suffering from Habitual Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)? Botox Can Help
When you are anxious or stressed, it’s normal to grind or clench your teeth occasionally. However, if teeth grinding becomes chronic, it can be a source of pain and discomfort. Habitual teeth grinding (bruxism) causes jaw pain and headaches and also leads to dental damage and loose teeth, which may require extensive restorative dental care procedures.
If you have bruxism in Bend, Oregon, don’t take it lightly. Instead, book an appointment with Cascadia Family Dental for treatment. We use Botox (yes, you had that right!) to treat bruxism and jaw pain.
What is bruxism?
Bruxism is the unconscious grinding and clenching of teeth. While this condition occurs when sleeping, some patients subconsciously grind their teeth when awake. Unfortunately, most bruxism sufferers aren’t aware they have the problem until physical pain begins or their dentist diagnoses it during an exam.
Patients with bruxism often experience the symptoms below:
- Constant headaches
- Jaw pain
- Earaches
- Facial pain
- Swollen jaws
- Signs of wear and tear teeth/dental damage
Bruxism can diminish your quality of life, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Dr. Jared Adams offers proper bruxism diagnosis and treatment for a pain-free smile.
Treating bruxism with Botox
Almost everyone has heard about Botox, courtesy of many TV commercials touting its ability to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Botox is highly sought after for cosmetic functions, but little more is ever discussed. However, the reality is Botox can yield life-changing results outside of elevating the skin’s glow.
Botox (Botulinum Toxin) is a neurotoxin that blocks signals from reaching the muscles; hence they can’t contract. Botox works well for bruxism because it weakens the jaw muscles, making it difficult to clench or grind with a lot of force.
While custom mouthguards can help with bruxism, they don’t treat the root cause of the problem. Injecting small doses of Botox into your jaw muscles relaxes them to stop the involuntary teeth grinding. As a result, patients enjoy reduced dental damage, headaches, and other TMJ-related symptoms.
Botox effects kick in after two weeks, but the results can last for about 3-4 months before you need a top-up. Over time, consistent Botox therapy retrains your muscles to relax, stopping bruxism altogether.
Can a dentist near me treat bruxism with Botox?
Want to protect your smile from bruxism? Please dial (541) 382-1279 to schedule an appointment with Cascadia Family Dental in Bend, OR. We use Botox injections to overcome teeth grinding and clenching for a pain-free lifestyle.
With unwavering dedication, Dr. Jared Adams combines his extensive education, passion for dental wellness, and commitment to the highest ethical standards to create transformative smiles and foster enduring patient relationships.
Dr. Adams's journey began with a persistent childhood dream of becoming a dentist. He holds dual pre-dental degrees in Human Resources and Biology from Gonzaga University and Eastern Washington University. Graduating from Loma Linda University with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2013, Dr. Adams's commitment to excellence is evident through his pursuit of continuous learning, culminating in his recent achievement of the prestigious FAGD, a distinction held by only 3% of dentists nationwide.
Dr. Adams is an esteemed member of several dental organizations, including the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Association, showcasing his dedication to staying at the forefront of dental advancements. In Dr. Jared Adams, you'll find a dentist whose expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness are evident not only in his professional achievements but also in the warmth and compassion he approaches patient care. Your smile is in capable hands.
