If you’re like many people, when you think about BOTOX what probably comes to mind is the injectable’s ability to smooth fine lines and facial wrinkles. But as an increasing number of patients have discovered, BOTOX can be used for a variety of treatments that go far beyond appearances. In fact, this versatile cosmetic product has many uses that can benefit your oral health, too. Here are a few ways your dentist uses BOTOX to treat these common conditions.
BOTOX for TMJ Disorder
If you suffer from a condition of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ disorder), it could cause undue stress on your facial muscles. This in turn can increase your risk of debilitating headaches, including migraines. BOTOX can help to relax the facial muscles, eliminating pain and lowering the risk of developing painful neck, back, shoulder, and headaches.
BOTOX for Sleep Apnea
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder that affects 936 million people worldwide. Often, it can cause bruxism (teeth grinding) or other conditions that could lead to headaches and tension in the head. BOTOX can be used to help ease symptoms of sleep apnea by treating comorbid conditions such as bruxism or temporomandibular joint disorder, which in turn can make solutions such as sleep appliances much more comfortable.
BOTOX for Bruxism
Bruxism is the name of the condition which occurs when the body mistakenly believes that it needs to chew food. This reflex causes you to clench and grind your teeth, putting them at risk for excessive wear, chips, cracks, and jaw pain. It can also encourage gum recession and increase negative symptoms of sleep apnea. BOTOX can be used to treat bruxism by alleviating some of the pain caused by the pressure on the facial and jaw muscles.
Remember, BOTOX is a versatile injectable cosmetic product that can not only provide amazing anti-aging results, but it can also address a variety of oral health issues including TMJ disorder and bruxism. If you’d like to see if BOTOX can help you, please contact your dentist today.
About Dr. Teasdale
Dr. Russell Teasdale has been helping patients live pain-free lives for over 40 years. Educated at Pomona College in Claremont, CA and Washington University School of Dental Medicine in St. Louis, Dr. Teasdale has completed thousands of hours of continuing education in all aspects of oral health. He is a Fellow of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), Institute for Minimally Invasive Dentistry, and the World Congress of Lasers in Dentistry. To schedule an appointment with Evolution Dental to see if BOTOX is right for you, visit our website or call us today at 503-974-3829.