Understanding and Treating Bruxism with Botox

Teeth grinding and jaw clenching—known as bruxism—is more than a painful nuisance; it can lead to significant dental damage and even alter the shape of your jawline. As a dentist with a specialist interest in medical aesthetics and bruxism, I frequently see patients suffering from the consequences of untreated bruxism. Many are unaware of their condition, as it often occurs at night, making it impossible to consciously stop the behaviour.

Why Does Bruxism Matter?

Bruxism doesn’t just impact your teeth. It can cause:

• Dental damage: Worn enamel, broken fillings, or even cracked teeth.
• Jawline changes: Over time, the repeated clenching and grinding can bulk up the jaw muscles, creating a squared or widened appearance to the face.
• Pain: From headaches and earaches to jaw discomfort.
• Sleep disruption: Often affecting both the individual and their partner.

What are the Symptoms of Bruxism?

Bruxism can manifest in several ways:

• Headaches or earaches
• Jaw pain or toothache
• Worn or broken teeth or fillings
• Facial soreness upon waking
• Disrupted sleep patterns

If you wake up with any of these symptoms, it may be worth exploring whether bruxism is the underlying cause.  You can easily feel your jaw muscles in action: place your fingers on the sides of your face and clench your teeth. If you notice significant bulging, these are likely overdeveloped muscles contributing to a square jawline.

Traditional Bruxism Treatments

Stress is often a contributing factor, so using mindfulness or physical activity to reduce stress can help. Afterward, mouth guards (splints) and improved sleep hygiene are often the first-line approaches to managing bruxism.

Mouth Guards

Night guards are a common recommendation to prevent dental damage. While they help protect teeth, they don’t address the root cause of bruxism, the overactive jaw muscles, or the resulting bulked-up jawline.

A major disadvantage of mouth guard is that they are uncomfortable to wear for most people - result in poor adherence to treatment plans.

Sleep Hygiene

Sleep hygiene refers to behaviours and habits that improve the quality of your sleep. For individuals with bruxism, better sleep hygiene may reduce the likelihood of grinding or clenching during the night by encouraging more time in deeper sleep stages. Bruxism tends to occur during lighter sleep stages, which are more likely to be interrupted by poor sleep habits or external disturbances.

Here are a few simple yet effective sleep hygiene practices:

• Avoid Stimulants: Refrain from consuming tea, coffee, or nicotine several hours before bedtime. These stimulants can interfere with your ability to reach the deeper, restorative stages of sleep.
• Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day helps regulate your body’s internal clock, making it easier to achieve uninterrupted sleep.
• Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Engage in calming activities before bed, such as reading, meditating, or taking a warm bath. This can help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.
• Optimise Your Sleep Environment: Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool. Investing in a comfortable mattress and pillow can also improve sleep quality.

Masseter Botox Injections 

A more comprehensive solution which works 24/7 is masseter Botox injections. These injections relax the overactive masseter muscles to provide relief by:

• Preventing clenching and grinding: Temporarily reducing the activity of the masseter jaw muscles.
• Relieving symptoms: Less tension means fewer headaches, jaw pain, and disruptions to daily life.
• Slimming the jawline: Relaxing the masseter muscles reduces their bulk over time, creating a softer and more contoured facial appearance. Which can be a relief to female sufferers who a square jawline is making them look more masculine.

What to Expect from Treatment

• Timeline: Results typically become noticeable after 10–14 days and last for around 12 weeks.
• Procedure: The treatment is quick, minimally invasive.
• Side effects: Mild swelling or bruising at the injection site may occur but usually subsides quickly. Some patients notice a temporary reduction in chewing strength, which resolves over time.

Who Should Avoid Bruxism Injections?

Not everyone is a candidate for this treatment. You should avoid it if you:

• Are pregnant or nursing.
• Living with certain neuromuscular conditions (like myasthenia gravis).
• Suffer with a liver disease.

Take Control of Bruxism Today

If you’re tired of waking up with jaw pain, dealing with dental damage, or unhappy with a square jawline, bruxism injections could be the solution for you. Book a consultation to discuss your concerns and learn how this treatment can improve both your comfort and confidence.