Let’s face it, 2020 was a stressful year for everyone in one way or another. In fact, it was so stressful that dentists saw an exponential uptick in cracked teeth and dental emergencies coming into the office. Not good! Many of these cracked teeth were a result of grinding, and clenching of the jaw during sleep or just passively. Most people don’t even realize that they’re clenching their jaw so hard that it can cause issues until it’s too late and the pain starts. If you’ve noticed a new ache in your jaw, a migraine you can’t seem to escape or even both, you may be experiencing TMJ. Thankfully, you don’t have to live with your newly developed ailment. We have a solution for you!
What Is TMJ Anyways?
TMJ affects the temporomandibular joints on each side of the head as a result of bruxism. These joints work together with muscles spanning from the jaw all the way to the temples to function and move. Bruxism is when you unconsciously gnash, clench, or grind your teeth together and it can happen any time of day. Even when you sleep! Just like other muscles in the body, these facial muscles, particularly the masseter, can be overworked. When these muscles become overworked, they can become sore, cause headaches or even start to bulge causing your jawline to look larger than it actually is. If you’re feeling that you may be experiencing symptoms of TMJ, a trip to Sugar Fix is in order.
Dr. Brittany Dickinson will be able to assess the situation and recommend a treatment for you. Oftentimes, this will involve taking molds for a nightguard which we will send off to a lab to be created. The nightguard can take a while to get used to, but it’ll help prevent you from doing further damage to your jaw and teeth while you sleep. Through continued use of a nightguard, many experience relief but sometimes you need a little extra boost to really feel comfortable again. Thankfully, there is another solution you can add to the use of a nightguard. Botox!
What Is Botox?
These days, most people are familiar with Botox, but what exactly is it? Botulinum toxin A is a neurotoxin that has been used therapeutically since the 80s! Botox is actually a brand name, but Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau are similar neurotoxins. Botox remains the favorite worldwide which is why it’s our preferred brand to recommend. There’s a common misconception that Botox freezes muscles and that’s why people can appear stiff or expressionless when they do too much, but it’s actually the opposite. Botox is used to relax the muscle and release muscles that are causing creases and wrinkles. When injected directly into the masseter and temporalis muscles, it has a therapeutic effect that can be life changing for some.
What Is The Process?
The process of getting Botox for your TMJ is quick and relatively painless and the experts at Plump Room are just the ones to do it. Occasionally someone may develop muscle knots that can be a bit tougher to inject, but the pain won’t have you jumping out of your chair. By using the smallest gauge syringes on the market, most people don’t even flinch during treatment. With the help of a T-shaped vibrating tool to distract your nerves, the actual treatment won’t take more than 5 minutes. The best part is that there isn’t any downtime with getting Botox done. The only things that you should keep in mind after treatment are that you shouldn’t touch or rub the injection sites, and avoid sweating heavily. Pinprick bruising can happen for some people but avoiding alcohol and ibuprofen for the day before and after should help with that. Keep in mind that Botox takes 7 to 10 days to fully take effect, but once it does you’ll be feeling some much-needed relief.
It’s Worth A Try
Botox isn’t a one size fits all treatment and you should still be wearing your nightguard for extra protection while you sleep. With both of these treatments in place, your muscles will be able to relax a bit more and you can wave tension headaches goodbye. With Plump Room’s easy-going, cozy and chic boutique setting, you’ll be at ease while getting your treatment. If you decide that Botox just isn’t for you, it wears off after three months, and at that time you can talk to Dr. Brittany Dickinson about other options that may be better for you. Let’s get you back to feeling like yourself!