Bruxism is a condition in which you unconsciously grind or clench your teeth whilst awake or asleep. It can cause unpleasant headaches, face, neck and shoulder pain, and over time, can wear away the teeth or cause them to break and fracture. If you suffer from bruxism, you may be anxious to find a solution.
At The Lovely Clinic, we offer Muscle Relaxing Injections for tooth grinding. Following a consultation, in one simple treatment, the symptoms of bruxism can be significantly reduced for up to 6 months.
WHAT CAUSES BRUXISM?
The exact cause of bruxism is unknown, however, several factors have been closely linked. It is thought that up to 70% of teeth grinding occurs as a result of stress. Sleep conditions such as sleep apnoea and certain antidepressants may also contribute, although it is unclear exactly why. Smoking and drinking large quantities of alcohol and caffeine can also increase instances of teeth clenching and grinding.
HOW TO REDUCE TEETH GRINDING
As stress is the main contributing factor to bruxism, lowering anxiety levels logically reduces teeth grinding. Breathing exercises can help to reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, relieving feelings of stress. Creating a relaxing bedtime routine and allowing plenty of time for sleep also helps with anxiety.
If you suffer from bruxism, scheduling regular dental checkups is advised. Your dentist may be able to treat tooth sensitivity due to abrasion of the surfaces and may offer you a mouthguard to prevent further wear. These treatments offer a solution to the damage caused by the condition, but Muscle Relaxing Injections for teeth grinding off a solution to bruxism itself and many patients enjoy the feeling of being mouthguard-free.
HOW DO MUSCLE RELAXING INJECTIONS FOR TEETH GRINDING WORK?
Muscle-relaxing Injections are commonly associated with the beauty and celebrities due to their ability to soften wrinkles, yet their use extends far beyond facial aesthetics. Using small doses of the injectable, specific locations within the masseter muscle can be targeted. This weakens the jaw muscle sufficiently to inhibit habitual teeth grinding, without hindering its other uses, such as speaking and eating. It may also be injected into the temporalis or pterygoid muscles depending on your exact needs.
Patients usually report an easing of symptoms after a few days, but it may take up to 2 weeks for the treatment to take full effect. Results last between 3 and 6 months.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
The most common concern when choosing injections for teeth grinding is that other jaw functions will be affected. When carried out by an experienced hand, you can be sure that the injectable solely targets teeth clenching and grinding, sparing all other natural movements.
The procedure is not considered painful, although a topical numbing cream can be applied if required. Injections sites may appear swollen or mildly bruised following treatment, however, this quickly subsides.
BOOKING YOUR TREATMENT AT THE LOVELY CLINIC
Muscle-relaxing Injections for teeth grinding are only available after a consultation with Dr Tonks. This initial appointment enables a full assessment of the severity of your Bruxism and allows your practitioner to precisely locate injection sites for maximum effect. To schedule a consultation, call 020 3695 5400 or complete an online booking form.
