At Pure Aesthetics Nottingham, we offer botox injections in the masseter (jaw muscle) to prevent you from clenching and grinding your teeth. Bruxism (teeth grinding) is a condition many people suffer from, without realising that anti-wrinkle injections can offer an effective, quick and affordable cure.
What is Bruxism & What Causes It?
Bruxism is the medical term given to the condition of teeth grinding. It is a common condition, which affects many people and can have many undesirable results.
Many people will experience bruxism at some point in their lives as there are multiple different triggers for it to occur. It is a condition which can occur when awake and also when asleep, which can make it difficult to identify as it is not always able to be controlled.
You may realise that you suffer with bruxism if you experience headaches, jaw aches or other facial pains when you wake up. You may also notice that your teeth have become damaged and chipped. This is because the condition causes the teeth to clash and grind against each other which can lead to the destruction of the tooth’s enamel and structure. As well as being uncomfortable and causing distress, this can also be a costly treatment to fix in the dentist’s chair so it is important to recognise if you suffer from bruxism early to avoid further damage.
It has also been found that bruxism can occur as a response to stress. Some people have a habit of grinding their teeth when they experience stressful situations or when they are in periods of deep concentration. Again, it is important to recognise if you have this habit as it can lead to uncomfortable side effects.
How does Botox Treatment for Clenching & Grinding Work?
At Pure Aesthetics Nottingham we are highly experienced in performing Botox injections to relax the masseter muscles in the jaw for an effective treatment which eases the muscle tension, reduces enlarged masseter muscle size and helps reduce teeth grinding (bruxism).
Teeth grinding can prematurely wear down tooth enamel and cause extensive damage to teeth, as well as causing a lot of jaw tension and pain. In our experience, bruxism treatment results can be life-changing for clients who are suffering with jaw pain caused by teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
Is Botox for Teeth Grinding Safe? Botox (Botulinum Toxin) has been used for a multitude of medical treatments for over 30 years, in both adults and children. It has been licensed for cosmetic purposes for over 15 years, including for teeth grinding (bruxism), with a second-to-none safety profile. Botox injections are a very safe cosmetic treatment when performed by a medical professional. Who can have Botox Treatment? Botox treatment for teeth grinding may be suitable for anyone suffering from bruxism, pain and tension in over-enlarged masseter muscles in the jaw. Botox treatment will only be prescribed after a medical consultation. Please note that key contraindications include pregnancy and breastfeeding. Are Botox Injections in the Jaw Painful? Botox injections into the masseter muscles are only mildly uncomfortable but, as with all injectable treatments at our Oxford and Leamington Spa clinics, we take pain relief very seriously and use the best anaesthetic creams available, applying topically as required prior to injecting. Jaw Slimming Benefits Another benefit of this treatment is that it can actually slim and contour your face shape, similarly to dermal fillers. If you suffer from bruxism, it is likely that you have quite a wide jaw. This is due to the masseter muscles growing and getting larger because of their repeated use. After treatment with anti-wrinkle injections, it gradually reduces the size of the masseter muscles. This then creates a slimmer V-shaped jawline, which is seen as the feminine ideal in the aesthetics world. Home Care Tips As well as treatment in our skin clinic with anti-wrinkle injections, there are a few steps that you can implement at home to alleviate the symptoms of bruxism:
Be self-aware. If you find that you grind your teeth as a result of stress, try to take note of every time that you do it. Being self-aware can help you to combat this habit for good and avoid the associated negative side effects.
Avoid stimulating substances such as caffeine for 6 hours before you sleep. If you suffer from bruxism during the night, this can help to reduce an overactive brain which can be a cause of bruxism.
Schedule regular dental appointments. It is important that you visit your dentist every six months. This will help to identify any issues that have arisen as a side effect from bruxism and can help to keep damage at bay. Your dentist may also be able to fit you with a mouthguard to sleep in, which will help to protect your teeth.
Side Effects
The most common side effects of Botox treatment are minimal and temporary. You might experience a small amount of redness which quickly reduces and/or localised bruising, which are both possibilities with any kind of injection. Botox injections are known as one of the 'lunch-break' cosmetic procedures since they are relatively quick with no real recovery time needed, and you can get on with the rest of your day following treatment. If you ever have any questions or concerns following any procedure or experience any other side effects please contact Pure Aesthetics on: 0115 950 2020.
Results
It takes around 2-3 weeks for Botox results to take full effect; although some people may see or feel some results more quickly.
Botox results are not permanent, and the effects wear off over time. It is recommended that to maintain the results of Botox injections you would have treatment 2-3 times a year, in order to keep the treatment refined and topped up, rather than letting results totally diminish and starting again from scratch. Many clients with bruxism re-book when they feel tension returning. This approach helps to give you the best results for the longest period.