Bruxism is an involuntary behavior characterized by squeezing and tensing the mandibular muscles that control and support the jaw. This behavior manifests as the clenching of the jaw and grinding of the teeth and can occur while asleep or awake; some patients, in fact, experience both sleeping and waking bruxism. If you experience chronic bruxism, you may be familiar with the jaw pain and headaches it can cause, or perhaps you’ve noticed that your teeth are more prone to breakage or chipping, or your gums and teeth feel more sensitive than normal. Any of these symptoms can indicate bruxism and should be addressed with your dentist. In many cases, patients with sleep bruxism find relief from symptoms by sleeping with dental splints or night guards, which prevent the intense pressure of bruxism and protect the teeth and jaw muscles, though these devices are more difficult to integrate into waking life. Awake bruxism is best approached with stress-relief approaches and relaxation techniques that aim to reduce the behavior itself. If you’ve already consulted with your dentist and other health practitioners and are struggling to find relief from bruxism, you might find relief with injections of botulinum toxin, or Botox, in the muscles of the jaw.
You’ve probably heard of Botox being used to reduce wrinkles or plump up the skin. These benefits arise because of the muscle relaxation triggered by the injections, and these same relaxant properties can help stop the involuntary tensing and squeezing of the jaw muscles that characterize bruxism. While the results of Botox injections aren’t permanent, they can provide temporary relief from the discomfort and damage of bruxism and may be helpful in resetting a tense jaw and helping to break the harmful habit of bruxism by facilitating continued muscle relaxation. In fact, in addition to helping with bruxism, Botox can also help treat other non-cosmetic issues that require consistent muscle relaxation, like certain nerve disorders or spastic muscle conditions.
Botox injections have been proven safe when administered by an experienced medical provider, though there are a few possible short-term side effects. These could include:
- Swelling, bruising, or discomfort at the injection sites
- Headache or mild flu-like symptoms
- Eye dryness
- Droopy or crooked eyelids or eyebrows
- Crooked smile
These effects shouldn’t last long and are generally harmless. In very rare cases, the toxins in Botox can spread into the body’s other tissues, and you should see a doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms, whether it’s mere hours or a few weeks after your Botox injection:
- Weakness in the muscles
- Problems with vision
- Trouble swallowing or difficulty speaking
- Breathing issues
- Loss of bladder control
To treat bruxism with Botox, your medical provider will inject small amounts of the botulinum toxin into the muscles that move and support the jaw, usually focusing primarily on the large, powerful masseter muscle that is in charge of chewing. In some cases, the smaller frontal and temporal jaw muscles may also receive injections, depending on the patient’s needs. These injections help reduce the ability to clench the jaw by relaxing the muscles, which also helps reduce or eliminate tension headaches or other pains caused by constant muscular stress. It usually takes a day or two for Botox injections to start working, though it may take a little longer under some circumstances, and the effects tend to last for three to six months. Before beginning any medical treatment, including using Botox for bruxism, it’s important to review any risks with your dentist and your other medical providers. For many people who suffer from chronic aches and pains due to bruxism and aren’t able to find relief otherwise, the minimal risks of using Botox for bruxism are well worth the positive benefits these injection treatments provide.
Related Article: How Do Stop Teeth Grinding?