Maybe you are one of the millions of people in the U.S. who wakes up with an aching jaw that clicks and pops. Or maybe at the end of the day, your jaw hurts so much that it’s hard to eat dinner. Botox for bruxism may be able to help ease your aching jaw.
Can Botox help with bruxism?
Bruxism, also referred to as teeth grinding or clenching, affects between eight and 31% of people in the U.S. It’s also fairly common among children. Two or three children out of ten experience regular, reoccurring teeth grinding or jaw clenching.
There are two types of bruxism: awake (daytime) and sleep bruxism. Awake bruxism occurs during the day and most often takes the form of jaw clenching. Sleep bruxism is what it sounds like, occurring during slumber. Sleep bruxism features not only jaw clenching but can also come with teeth grinding.
Side effects of bruxism
The risks and side effects of either type of bruxism are many. They include:
- Uneven wear on the teeth: As bruxism progresses, teeth begin to wear unevenly. This can lead to a change in bite alignment and other dental issues.
- Head and neck pain: Headaches and neck pain are a common consequence of both awake and sleep bruxism.
- Limited range of motion: Those who suffer from sleep bruxism may have trouble opening their mouth or moving their jaw from side-to-side when they wake up.
- Fractured or broken teeth or loose teeth: The constant pressure of bruxism causes fractures and even broken teeth over time. Dental restorations may fail, and, in severe cases, teeth may become loose.
- Increased sensitivity to hot and cold: Worn enamel and tooth material exposes the nerves and soft pulp of the tooth, resulting in sensitivity to hot and cold in the teeth.
- Pain in the ligaments of the jaw: Over time, the muscles of the jaw and neck aren’t the only painful location. As the ligaments of the jaw become stressed, inflammation and swelling can lead to pain in the temporomandibular joint itself.
- Swelling on the face: The inflammation in the ligaments and the muscles of the jaw can eventually lead to swelling in the face. The skin may be slightly red and even warm to the touch.
What is Botox for bruxism?
Treatments such as night guards to protect teeth from further damage are a great first step, but until recently treatments that address the tightness in the jaw itself have not been available.
Bruxism is a challenging condition to treat, but Botox for bruxism is one good option that is getting results. A 2017 study of the effects of Botox for teeth grinding at night found results that indicated significantly reduced pain scores for 92% of patients. Another small-scale study that same year found patients with improvements in pain levels as well.
Most researchers agree that more large-scale studies are necessary, but Dr. William G. Ondo, of the Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas, notes that bruxism “is a very common problem with no established treatment, so these results are encouraging.”
How does Botox for bruxism work?
Botox as a dental treatment has been in use for at least a decade. Formerly utilized to correct misalignment of the eyes, Botox was initially developed in the 18th century as a nerve disruptor but had not gained real acceptance in the medical community until the 1970s. Botox for bruxism is one use, but dentists also use Botox for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) pain, chronic migraine, and “gummy” smiles.
Regardless of the application, the action of Botox is essentially the same. Several small injections of botulinum toxin A are made into the masseter muscle of your jaw. This large muscle is responsible for the chewing actions (and thus the clenching and grinding actions as well). This injections weakens the muscle but does not restrict chewing or talking. Patients receive between 20 and 40 injections per affected side. Most patients find relief within two weeks of injections.
Side effects of Botox for bruxism
As with any medical procedure, there are risks to be aware of, including the following possible side effects:
- Soreness at the injection site
- Temporary weakness in the muscles that were injected
- Atrophied muscles over long periods of use (this slackness is reversible when use of Botox is discontinued)
- Flu-like symptoms that include nausea, palpitations, and weakness
Most symptoms generally disappear within a day or two. Talk to your dentist, though, if they persist.
Patients with a hypersensitivity to any type of botulinum toxin or who experience infection at a previous injection site should not continue to use dental Botox (or Botox for any use).
Complications as a result of treatment are exceedingly rare. In some cases, a poorly placed injection can cause paralysis of a facial muscle that was not targeted (e.g., the eyelid). Generally, this complication is temporary but is an important reason to seek out a highly qualified and experienced dental professional for treatment.
Additionally, it is important to note that many insurance companies may not pay for this treatment. This is because it’s still in the research phase, and Botox is considered a cosmetic drug.
How does Botox manage bruxism symptoms?
Whether you use Botox for teeth grinding, Botox for jaw clenching, or Botox for TMJ, chances are good you will get the best results when it’s combined with other bruxism treatments and therapies. Other concurrent treatments might include:
- Practicing good sleep hygiene
- Utilizing meditation and relaxation for stress management
- Counseling and talk therapy to pinpoint the source of your stress or anxiety
A combination of lifestyle changes and focused medical interventions create a holistic approach that usually produces the best results for patients.
Where can I learn more?
Even if your partner hears you grinding your teeth at night and swears it’s bruxism, chances are good you’ll need more information.
If you think you might have bruxism, give your Phoenix area family dentist a call for a full evaluation. We can help you evaluate all of your options, including Botox for bruxism.
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