You may have heard of Botox as a procedure for those looking for smooth, plump, younger-looking skin. But did you know that many people also use it to relieve tension from things like migraines and excessive teeth grinding?
Botox is a recognized treatment that is effective in relieving frequent headaches, migraines, TMD/TMJ, and teeth grinding.
For many, Botox has given them the relief no other non-surgical procedure could. If you’re a frequent sufferer of head or jaw pain, Botox may be the answer.
What does the procedure entail?
Getting Botox for medical reasons is not uncommon. In short, it involves injecting Botulinum toxin into the muscles that are causing you pain, and prevent them contracting. For instance, many people experience tension headaches and jaw pain from a habit of clenching or being tense. Botox can help with these situations.
Each Botox treatment session generally lasts between 10 and 30 minutes, and you’ll need to have “top up” sessions every 4-6 months.
Although you might feel some relief a day or two after your treatment, it typically takes up to 14 days to fully feel the effects of your treatment. There’s no downtime involved, and besides some redness and discomfort, you won’t feel any after effects.
Where do they inject the Botox?
Your doctor will inject the Botox into your temple, forehead, jaw muscles and/or any other areas depending on your requirements. In addition, your practitioner will know how many injections you need, and they will likely build this up over time.
What can it help with?
Botox doesn’t just offer a preventative remedy for wrinkles: it can also help with chronic migraines, temporomandibular joint (TMD/TMJ) disorders, and teeth grinding. Let’s explore what it can do for these issues:
- Migraines can be debilitating, but Botox can help. The practitioner injects botulinum toxin into the C-fibers, which are the nerves that transmit pain from the head to the brain. This procedure reduces the number of chemicals that the nerve ending releases, interrupting the feedback pathway that keeps the migraine going.
- The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located on both sides of the head where the jawbone meets the skull, and we use it every day when we talk and eat. This joint may become overworked by excessive teeth grinding, resulting in extreme tension headaches. Botox relieves jaw tension by relaxing the masseter muscle and stopping it from working to the point of discomfort.
I’m pregnant – can I have medical Botox?
You should avoid having medical Botox if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as there is not yet enough research about the effects of botulinum toxin on a pregnant person to be certain it is safe. To be on the safe side, wait until you’ve given birth if you’re pregnant and considering having medical Botox.
What kind of results can I expect from medical Botox?
The biological effect of Botox can take several days or even a few weeks to show. If you have had Botox for migraines, you should expect full relief in just over one month. Some patients start to improve after the second set of injections given 12 weeks after the initial session.
Learn More
If you’re experiencing discomfort and believe Botox may be the answer to getting your life back, reach out to us for a consultation. We’ll discuss your symptoms and give you a personalized plan to help you live pain-free.
Contact Chestnut Hill Dental Associates at (617) 566-0308 or request an appointment online. New patients are welcome!
