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Botox for Teeth Grinding
Bruxism or grinding of the teeth usually occurs during sleep. This results in headaches and dental damage. We will gladly take the time to offer you a professional, extensive and realistic consultation. Contact us now.
Head aches, aching jaw, stiff neck and upper body. Work and relationships are affected. All these are symptoms of bruxism and without treatment can cause permanent damage to teeth.
Upper and lower teeth should be in contact when we bite and eat and even then only for few seconds at a time. All other contact between lower and upper teeth is considered as grinding. This is not a problem until when the tissues cannot take the grinding and teeth shatter, muscles hurt and osteoarthritis sets in.
Causes why people grind their teeth has been researched widely. Physical and psychological causes both have their supporters. Earlier bruxism was considered as a bite fault (purentavirhe). Causes have been researched also central nervous system and stress factors. Multiple causes are to blame like in other ailments. One cannot be disregarded over the other. Faulty bite and psychological factors do not counter act one another, says professor Pentti Kirveskari form the University of Turku. He tells of recent studies that some medications that affect the central nervous system have also an affect of bruxism.
Daytime and nighttime bruxism
Daytime bruxism happens usually when we are in stressful and tense situations or when we concentrate on the task at hand. This is much more common than the night time teeth grinding.
Teeth grinding has much more affect on the people around then the grinder who very often is unaware of his habbit. It can also be totally silent and is discovered after the pains occur.
Sleep researcher have tried to explain bruxism in their laboratories. Bruxism can happen in all stages of the sleep. However person suffering from teeth grinding is usually a light sleeper and sounds and touch can accelerate the grinding. The sleeper with bruxism is very active in movement during this/her sleep.
A tension headache in the morning is very often a symptom for a teeth grinder. The pain might occur stronger on one side of the skull. Neck and upper torso pains are also very common. Teeth show visible signs of wear.
As mentioned earlier the normal contact between upper and lower teeth is few seconds. Person suffering from bruxism bites his/her teeth 10-20 seconds and even at times several minutes. Jaw joints get damaged, as they cannot handle this kind of stress. Slowly the teeth will show signs of wear and the supportive tissues get damaged. Completely normal and healthy teeth can even split.
Opening ones mouth can cause pain. Points of pain usually are located next to the ears, jaw and temples or cheek bones, sometimes even in the ears.
Bruxism can also be affected by the problems with jaw joint. Osteoarthritis in the jaw is painless in the beginning but can cause awkward crackling sounds and/or jaw getting stuck.
Botox treatment
The relief for bruxism sufferers is botulinum toxin. The treatment is quick and easy. In the procedure massetere muscle is injected with botulinum toxin in both sides. In few days the muscles will relax and in two week the whole effect is visible. Touch ups can be done if necessary after the toxin has taken its full affect. The jaws muscle will also grow smaller as it is not getting the unwanted exercise. This has affects on the faces appearance and soften the jaw line and make the face seem younger and rounder.
Contact us
We will gladly take the time to offer you a professional, extensive and realistic consultation. The first consultation at The City Clinic is always free and noncommittal. Contact us now.
