Using Botox for Grinding Teeth and Bruxism

Bruxism sounds brutal. It’s basically the medical term for grinding your teeth. It includes both grinding teeth or clenching jaws. Bruxism mostly happens while sleeping. Since you are unconscious, the pressure applied is immense, uncontrolled, and destructive. When left untreated, bruxing can cause extensive damage to teeth and surrounding structures. How do you protect your smile if grinding happens when you’re asleep? We’ve been able to treat patients with Botox for grinding teeth. Here is a little more about bruxism and how Botox can help.

What Is Botox?

Botox is the name commonly used for the botulinum toxin. While toxin may seem negative, this prescription medication is FDA-approved. The products used for various medical applications, including teeth grinding, have been purified. When you’re treated by an experienced provider, Botox injections are generally considered safe.

What Harm Can Bruxing Cause?

Because teeth grinding is an involuntary behavior that happens when you’re unaware and unable to moderate its force, the potential for damage is great. Worn enamel and chipped and cracked teeth can occur. Headaches, jaw pain, and problems with the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ disorders, are also associated with bruxism. In addition, hyperactivity of the jaw muscles can cause a squaring of the face.

How Does Botox for Bruxism Work?

With Botox and teeth grinding, the treatment harnesses the medication’s ability to calm muscles to encourage the muscles involved in bruxing to relax. The dosage is carefully selected, so it relaxes the muscles and relieves pain without affecting chewing, speaking, or expressiveness.

When a dentist is using Botox for clenched jaw and bruxing, they aim the injections at points on specific muscles. The masseter muscle is a common target. Results are generally felt within a few days and can last for months.

What Are the Advantages of Treating Bruxism With Botox?

While there may be other choices, using Botox for grinding teeth offers several advantages:

• Comfort: Botox and bruxism offers a noninvasive treatment that the majority of patients describe as fairly painless. Even sensitive patients say there is less discomfort than expected.
• Convenience: The treatment takes less than 30 minutes and lasts for months. With Botox for grinding teeth, you won’t need to worry about dealing with an oral appliance every night.
• Cost: Treatments are generally considered affordable.
• Cosmetics: With continued treatment, patients who developed a bulkier jaw as a result of bruxing tend to see their normal jawline return.

Are There Other Treatments for Bruxism?

• Nightguards are often suggested as a treatment for bruxism. These devices create a protective barrier between the teeth. For best results and greatest comfort, they should be fitted appropriately. They must be kept clean and worn every night, and they must be replaced whenever they wear out.
• Other options for treatment include biofeedback or cognitive behavioral therapies. In some situations, muscle relaxers or pain medications may be suggested.

Wekiva Dental is committed to providing exceptional general and cosmetic dentistry services in Orlando, Florida. We find happy, healthy smiles delightful, so it’s our pleasure to work with you to achieve and maintain your best smile. If teeth grinding endangers your smile, reach out to Dr. Brambila. She is ready to help with Botox and other options. To learn more, contact us today to schedule an appointment.