Overcome Chronic Headaches and Jaw Pain with Botox for Teeth Grinding

By now, you must have heard about Botox. Countless social media and TV commercials are touting Botox as an effective treatment for wrinkles and fine lines. Botox is popular in cosmetics, and little more is ever discussed. 

At Cascadia Family Dental of Bend, Oregon, Dr. Jared Adams and the team offer Botox treatments to manage chronic teeth grinding and clenching (bruxism). A few injections into the masseter muscle paralyze the jaw muscles, reducing the effects of bruxism.

Bruxism explained

You suffer from bruxism if you chronically grind and clench your teeth daily. Although this commonly happens at night, it can occur during the day, especially when stressed. Bruxism occurs subconsciously, so you may not know you have the condition. However, if you notice the symptoms below, inform your dentist for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

• Chronic headaches.
• Jaw pain or soreness.
• Pain in the ears, face, and neck.
• Sensitive teeth because of enamel wear.
• Abnormal tooth wear.

It’s often difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of bruxism, but stress, teeth misalignment, and anxiety have been linked to this condition. When you suspect bruxism, don’t ignore the problem. Bruxism is a severe condition that can cause dental damage and even tooth loss when left untreated. 

Botox treatment for bruxism

Botox injections into the masseter muscle soothe away any discomforts associated with bruxism. Unlike other treatments like mouthguards, Botox treats the root cause of bruxism, providing a long-lasting solution. 

When the Botox product is injected into the masseter muscle, this minimizes involuntary teeth grinding and clenching without affecting the primary functions of the muscle. This significantly relaxes the muscles and reduces the wear and tear of teeth. Since Botox retrains the muscles and joints to relax, this also reduces headaches and jaw pain. 

Although Botox injections aren’t a permanent cure for bruxism, they can effectively control unpleasant symptoms for a painless lifestyle. Botox injections last three to four months, so you need retreatments to preserve the clinical benefits.  

What to expect during Botox treatment

Dr. Adams will carefully examine your head, neck, and face to isolate the troublesome muscles and determine the number of injections required to minimize your symptoms. Then, the dentist will precisely inject the Botox product into the muscle, essentially retraining the brain to stop “misusing” it.

The treatment takes about 30 minutes, and you’ll return to your everyday activities without interruptions. You’ll experience full effects after two to three days, although some patients need a week. The treatment only prevents overuse of the muscles, so you’ll still chew, talk, and smile as you usually do. 

Botox for teeth grinding near me

Ready to relieve your tense, clenching muscles? If you are in Bend, Oregon, Botox is one of the advanced treatments offered by Cascadia Family Dental to treat bruxism. Call (541) 382-1279 to schedule an appointment today.

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