Most people think of Botox as an anti-aging treatment. While it produces terrific aesthetic results, that’s not the only problem a well-placed Botox injection can solve.
Read on for a list of other common ailments that Botox can alleviate–most within just a few days of treatment.
1. Migraines
Migraine is a neurological condition that can cause intense pain on one or both sides of the head for 4 – 72 hours. The pain often includes:
- Throbbing or pulsing
- Pain in the temples or behind one eye or ear
- Light and sound sensitivity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Aura
If you experience frequent headaches or migraines, Botox could help you feel better.
Most Botox injections work by inhibiting the neurotransmitters that contract muscles in the head and neck. This allows the muscles to relax, and the skin over the muscles to become smoother. Some studies indicate that when a trained professional injects Botox into certain head and neck muscles, some of the nearby nerves absorb the botulinum toxin, which interrupts the neural pathways associated with migraines.
2. Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ)
Your temporomandibular joint is the hinge joint just in front of your ears that connects your lower jaw to your skull. Your TMJ can get inflamed by stress, injury, arthritis, bite disorders, or bruxism (tooth grinding). This is the second leading cause of facial pain after dental problems like toothache.
Signs of TMJ include:
- Facial muscle spasms and tension
- Jaw pain
- Facial pain and swelling
- Migraines
- Lockjaw
- A popping sound with jaw movement
- Extreme difficulty with eating, talking, and yawning
Nearly a third of adults suffer from a TMJ disorder. It’s most common among those aged 20 to 40, and more common among women than men.
Botox can be a very effective solution for patients with chronic TMJ and facial pain. Dr. Elrod can inject Botox into your facial muscles, which will relieve jaw stiffness by blocking the release of a chemical called acetylcholine. This inactivates the nerve endings that cause involuntary contractions in the jaw during stress or sleep, helping the jaw to relax.
3. Bruxism
Bruxism, or tooth-grinding, is a jaw-clenching side effect of TMJ disorder. Symptoms include:
- Migraine
- Facial swelling
- Abnormal wear on tooth enamel
- Gum disease
- Tight, tender jaw and facial muscles
- Damaged fillings
- Broken or chipped teeth (including molars!)
- Chronic jaw pain
The most annoying thing about bruxism is that it’s involuntary. Many people don’t even know they have bruxism until they’ve chipped or broken a tooth.
Dr. Elrod can examine your teeth during a routine visit and determine if the pain you’re experiencing is likely due to bruxism. Traditionally, tooth-grinding is treated with nightguards, but this isn’t always an effective solution.
Patients who’ve already exhausted conventional treatment may find amazing relief with Botox injections.. Most patients begin to find relief within just the first few days after initial treatment!
4. New Dentures
Dentures are a common solution for those suffering from many age- or trauma-related dental issues, but it takes time for a mouth to get used to them. Many people freshly fitted with dentures find they experience a lot of facial pain and discomfort.
Botox is a muscle relaxant, and can help comfort a reluctant mouth so it can adjust to dentures sooner and with far less pain and trouble.
Dentists: A more comfortable Botox experience
Dentists are facial specialists, with years of extensive training and intimate knowledge and understanding of the oral and facial anatomy. They are the best-equipped professionals to deliver Botox injectables because they inject anesthetics routinely and have the training and experience to allow for quick, comfortable, and relatively painless injections.
While most providers only use a topical anesthetic during Botox treatments, dentists can deliver dental anesthesia when needed to minimize patient discomfort.
You don’t need to suffer needlessly. Call today to see if Dr. Elrod can expertly alleviate your pain.
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