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Surprising Uses for BotoxⓇ
Derived from the Clostridium botulinum bacteria and used as a neurotoxin, Botox® is a medical phenomenon, FDA-approved in 1989 for medical purposes, but now a fixture in cosmetic treatments. While misconceptions about the drug — including that it freezes your face and is permanent — have been around for decades, it’s both safe and effective.
Many medical and cosmetic practices often use Botox for different treatments, and now that includes your dentist! Several issues that dentists deal with can be managed with Botox injections, so let’s explore more facts about it, the ways it’s frequently used, and what benefits dentists have discovered about how it helps patients.
Dr. Elena Davidson and the Davidson Dental Group staff assist patients in San Leandro, Castro Valley, and Oakland, California, and surrounding areas with various dental issues, including many that can be effectively managed with Botox.
Botox facts
The Clostridium botulinum in Botox originates from the same bacteria that cause botulism, a naturally occurring condition in foods contaminated with the bacterium. The injection is a controlled dose of the bacteria with only the muscle-relaxing properties. It has proved to be safe on multiple occasions.
The neurotoxic properties of the injection cause the nerve signals in muscles to relax, making it impossible for them to contract or tense. It’s injectable in several muscles in one session, and the effects can last for several months.
Common uses of Botox
Botox injections help relax a variety of muscle types and have multiple medical and cosmetic uses:
- Lazy eyes: Botox is used in people over 12 years old to treat this, also called crossed eye or strabismus.
- Excessive sweating: Hyperhidrosis causes major underarm sweating.
- Urinary incontinence: issues with an overactive bladder
- Eyelid spasms: blepharospasm, often caused by the movement disorder dystonia
- Migraine attacks: reduces the number of pain phases of monthly migraine attacks
- Upper limb spasticity: twitchy and stiff arms after nerve damage
- Treating wrinkles: relaxes the muscles that cause wrinkles and creases in your skin
Less common Botox treatments
Dr. Davidson uses Botox to help with several oral and head conditions:
1. Dentofacial asymmetry
Our bodies are symmetrical, meaning that things are generally evenly placed on both sides, which is essential to being bipedal. However, asymmetry is surprisingly common all over the body, including the face. This can be due to genetics, trauma, neurological or muscular conditions, aging, and even dental work.
This can affect various parts of the face, including your chin, upper or lower jaw, cheeks, nose, eyes, and ears. Botox relaxes the muscles involved in the asymmetry, helping to even out your features.
2. Headaches
Pain in your jaw can radiate throughout your head, resulting in headaches. Botox helps to ease the muscles involved.
3. Migraine attacks
The pain phase of a migraine has many triggers, jaw pain among them. Botox can be used for managing this pain, whether or not a painful jaw is involved.
4. Jaw pain
Dental problems can lead to pain in the upper or lower jaw, and conditions like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) can cause significant discomfort. Botox injections relax the jaw muscles to ease the stress of TMJ and other jaw issues.
Botox has many uses, including improving your dental health. If you’re experiencing these or other dental problems, call or message Dr. Davidson and Davidson Dental Group today for an appointment.