Are you Grinding your Teeth?
TMJ causing you pain and sideways glances at the dinner table? Relief is here and it may come as a surprise that the team at Mountain and Sea Dental has the answer you are looking for.
Though dentistry and Botox may not be synonymous, they are definitely allies in the fight for pain relief and pain management when it comes to your oral health. Botox and its cosmetic benefits are quite well known and spoken about in popular culture and now, therapeutic dental Botox is starting to make a name for itself as well. Here is everything you need to know about dental Botox and what it can do for you in and out of the dentist’s chair.
What is Botox?
Botox is the general name for botulinum toxin, the purified protein that is widely known to smooth out wrinkles but is being used more and more at many dentist offices around the country. When it is injected in a patient’s facial muscle, the protein attaches to nerve endings, making it so the muscle can’t contract.
When a muscle contracts away from your skin, that’s when wrinkles can start to show up. This has been the most popular use of Botox for many years, but as science evolves, so do the uses and beneficial treatments come out of this evolution.
What is Dental Botox?
Dental Botox is less invasive and more affordable than surgery for certain dental or facial issues, which we will detail below. It can be used for health purposes, functional and of course, cosmetic reasons as well. No matter if you are fixing a pop in your jaw, a migraine issue or wrinkles, Botox has been shown to help in many areas and dental Botox (which has been around for over a decade) is really starting to show people major results.
What does dental Botox treat?
There are a plethora of issues, ailments and reasons someone may want to opt for dental Botox. Here is a list of the most common oral health and cosmetic related issues dental Botox has been used to help relieve or fix:
- Migraines: Botox helps by blocking sensory nerves and relaxing muscles. Patients who suffer from migraines have shown fewer instances of migraines after their treatment and less pain during an actual episode after treatment as well.
- Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome: known as TMJ, can cause jaw pain, a popping noise when jaw is extended, ear pain and more. Botox helps eliminate these symptoms of TMJ by relieving the tense muscle at the jaw, reducing pain and clenching as well.
- Teeth grinding: which can damage your natural teeth, can be fixed by Botox as it helps relax and keep the muscles from tensing up at night when the patient sleeps or during the day if the patient grinds when anxious. Similar to TMJ benefits.
- Smiles with lots of gum line showing: known as “gummy smiles”, can be fixed by using Botox to help relax the over-retracted upper lip.
- Discomfort or pain from new dentures: can be relieved with Botox treatments.
- Lip lines or wrinkles that may cause someone to experience a lack of confidence in their smile are always a great candidate for Botox. Your dentist has seen it all, so never be self-conscious asking about this type of treatment from them. Your healthy, happy smile is their #1 concern.
- Minimizes hyperhidrosis: in the facial area. If you have an issue with excess face sweating, ask your dentist if dental Botox could be right for you.
How long does dental Botox last?
Every person is different and while results may last shorter or longer, most dentists recommend repeating dental Botox treatment every 3-6 months for pain related issues and before your muscles start to cause you discomfort again. Dental botox is great for someone who has tried other methods and needs a new form of relief or if they want to avoid surgeries or more invasive procedures.
Discover the benefits of dental Botox!
With all the benefits it provides, dental Botox is a fantastic treatment for oral pain, alternative to surgery and a confidence booster when it comes to smile rejuvenation. Make sure to ask about dental Botox for yourself the next time you see your dentist.
At Mountain and Sea Dental, we provide a thorough, compassionate, and friendly experience every time you visit. Our office is equipped to handle any type of visit, whether you are looking for dental Botox, a regular checkup, dental implants, or sedation dentistry procedures, our staff is ready to listen and treat any need or want you may have for your oral health.
We’re ready to make your smile healthy and bright, so give us a call today to schedule an appointment. We even have a dedicated text message line for more immediate concerns. We proudly serve the Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Goleta areas! We look forward to hearing from you!