Botox Right for You

In 2021, more than 3 million people used a neurotoxin such as Botox for cosmetic procedures. If you're not one of those people, you may be wondering what it is that they know about Botox that you don't. They may know that Botox can help with a whole host of issues related to your dental health.

When you hear "Botox," what comes to mind? You may imagine someone getting an injection in their forehead to reduce the amount of wrinkling. This is often thought of as a way to look younger. Some people do have just those types of Botox treatments. However, there's so much more that Botox can do. Botox may be just what you need to solve your dental issues. How do you know if Botox is right for you? Keep reading to find out.

An Intro to Botox

Botox is made from a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum. It works by making muscles weak or paralyzed. It also blocks certain types of nerves. The effect of this is to relax the area. The results of relaxation may include the softening of wrinkles or the cessation of spasms, to name just a few. There are plenty of myths about Botox. It does not freeze your face. In fact, it does just the opposite and relaxes it. As you've already learned, it isn’t just for removing lines on your face. It can help reduce pain or spasms. It can also assist in making certain dental procedures easier.

Botox injections are not painful, nor do your symptoms get worse when the effects from an injection wear off. When your symptoms return to the way they were, it's simply time for another treatment. Botox is fully approved by the FDA. However, make sure to find a provider certified to give injections, like we are at Fine Dentistry of Downtown Orlando.

Botox for Your Smile

Is your smile gummy? Does your mouth turn down even when you try to smile? Do you have a high lip line or lines around your upper or lower lip? All of these things may be helped by Botox. Let's look at some of the ways Botox can help your smile.

Gummy Smile

If your upper lip rests high on your gums when you smile, this is called a gummy smile. A typical smile shows no more than 2 millimeters of gum, whereas a gummy smile may show 3 millimeters or more. A gummy smile may be caused by enlarged gum tissue or excessive upper jaw growth. A short upper lip or larger teeth may also be the culprit. No matter the cause, someone with a gummy smile may feel very self-conscious. Botox can help. An injection to the upper lip will relax and lower it, making for a more natural smile. The effects of this injection can last for 3 to 4 months, depending on the individual.

Down-Turned Mouth

There may be many reasons your mouth is turning downward. It can be a result of age or gravity. Tooth grinding can also cause the corners of your mouth to aim downward. All of these can give you a sour expression, even when you're not feeling that way. Botox injections can provide a mouth corner lift. The effects can last up to 5 months, after which you will need another treatment.

Upper and Lower Lip Lines

Lines and wrinkles often form around the lips. They can come from laughing, smiling, frowning, and aging, to name just a few causes. Many people would prefer to try to diminish these lines. Botox can help with this. When injections are given in the upper lip and around the corners of your mouth, those muscles relax, and unwanted lines are reduced. As with any other Botox treatment, the effects of this do wear off, and another treatment will be necessary.

Botox for Your Dental Health

There are several medical conditions centered around your mouth and jaw which can be alleviated with Botox injections. Here are just a few.

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder)

On either side of your mouth, the temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull. This joint allows you to talk and eat, among other activities. If the discs between the bones deteriorate or become dislocated (through accident or disease), TMJ disorder can follow. Some of the symptoms of TMJ disorder are pain in either joint, aching on either or both sides of the face, and difficulty and/or pain while chewing. The joint may even lock, making opening and closing the jaw difficult. It can be a challenging condition to deal with.

If you've been diagnosed with TMJ disorder, Fine Dentistry of Downtown Orlando can help. When Botox is injected into the facial area around your jaw, it blocks the release of acetylcholine, a chemical which contracts the muscles around the jaw joint. Botox injections can not only release the tension in the jaw joint. It might also alleviate any headaches and earaches that accompany TMJ disorder.

Hemifacial Spasm

Hemifacial spasms may begin in the upper part of your face, near your eyes, then travel down to your lower face. These spasms are often caused by a damaged facial nerve. Because of their ability to relax muscles, Botox injections are a preferred treatment for spasms. After 5 to 6 days, the effects of the injections appear, and these effects can remain for up to 6 months.

Aid for Dental Procedures

If dental implants, bridges, or dentures aren't fitting in well, Botox injections may assist. Our mouths are not used to sudden changes. It can be uncomfortable when new appliances are introduced.

Botox's relaxing effect not only helps the fit of new dental appliances, but it can also aid in the process of becoming used to them.

Grinding Teeth

Similar to how Botox relieves the pain of TMJ disorder, Botox's relaxation qualities may ease teeth grinding. Left unchecked, teeth grinding may cause a great deal of damage to your mouth. Your dentist may have prescribed a mouth guard at night to prevent you from grinding your teeth at night. A Botox injection works in conjunction with a night guard to curb this condition.

Is Botox for You?

Now you know just some of the ways in which Botox can be helpful. If you have any of these conditions or believe you may benefit in some other way from Botox treatments, don't delay. Are you looking for a dentist who provides Botox in the Downtown Orlando area? Contact us at Fine Dentistry of Downtown Orlando. Our experts can guide you to just the right treatment to get you smiling in no time!