Botox for bruxism is a topic I constantly get asked about. So, let’s talk botox AKA my favorite substance in the world. Just kidding – or not. As someone who really has suffered from bruxism, you can’t blame me for feeling so deeply about it.
Botox for bruxism – my experience
I first took botox last spring and I wrote about my first experience in June. I told you how long I had dreamed about it (I realize that some of these sentences only make sense to other heavy teeth grinders) and how excited I was to try it. And the results! I didn’t expect them to be that good. I also was shocked to see the change in my face. My face got leaner, my cheekbones got even more visible and most of all – the pain and aching was almost all gone.
On my last post I wrote:
“I am both a bit scared and excited to see, how long the effects will last. It’s – again – personal, and can’t be promised. But what I do know, is that as soon as my pain starts to come back, I’m heading back to the needle.”
Well, I wasn’t lying there. After about four months the pain came back and I booked my second appointment immediately.
The pain felt awful. I had forgotten how it felt to wake up in the morning and having pain in your teeth and jaw and head. It’s just not a nice feeling to be waking up at. The fact that the pain started to come back made me appreciate the results even more. Seriously: as soon as the botox was gone from my jaw, I realized just how much it had helped. It helped massively.
Luckily I didn’t have to suffer for long as I got the appointment quite quickly. And the apppointment is quick. This time my dentist Sakari and I decided to try a bigger dose. My jaw muscles were again quite strong, but not as strong as they were the first time.
The botox started to help again week by week. After about a month, it was all good again. My face felt awesome. Honestly, I could just write the same things all over again here. After my first appointment I wrote:
“I could feel good results after a week or two. It got better week after week. I noticed, that I didn’t wake up with a sore jaw or sore teeth anymore. I didn’t complain about headaches. And best of all: my jaw felt quite relaxed during the day. This all felt amazing. For once in my life, I didn’t even have to think about bruxism.”
And that’s how I felt after my second appointment as well. But to sum up everything, here are the questions I get asked all the time and my answers.
Frequently asked questions about botox treatment for bruxism
How many times have you gotten botox?
I’ve now gotten it two times.
How long did the results last?
They lasted for about four months. I think that’s pretty good, considering the promise is 2-6 months.
Would you still recommend it?
Absolutely. Obviously I want everyone to do their research and decide for themselves, but if you really are suffering from bruxism, you might want to try it. It has helped me so much. And it’s the only real thing that has helped, really. Nightguard does help a little, but mostly it just protects my teeth. And massaging your jaw… well, I guess it helps for the moment you’re massaging it.
How much botox did you get injected?
It’s hard to say, as I let the professional (my dentist) decide it. But it’s always personal. The first time I got the so called ‘regular’ amount and the next time I got a bit more. I have a feeling it’s a process you can’t necessarily get right right away. You need to start somewhere and see how it works and then you can try bigger doses.
Does it hurt?
The process is so quick, I don’t think it hurts that much. But I do feel a small sting when the needle goes through my skin. Pain is personal. But it’s totally worth it, which makes me want to say that it doesn’t hurt.
Where do you go for botox?
I go to Ebeling dentists. My dentist is Sakari Ebeling and he is the one doing botox treatments there. I can warmly recommend the place. It has a nice atmosphere, which is important for someone who has a bit of a dentist fear and the staff are friendly and professional. Also, when you compare the prices, they are pretty fair.
How much does botox cost?
It depends on the place, but where I go it costs 399€. A bit pricey I know, but since it helps so much, I think it’s worth considering.
I guess that’s pretty much it! If you have any more questions, please leave them in the comments so I can answer them and possibly update this post.
And if you didn’t already, go read the first post I wrote about the subject. Sakari also answered some questions there about botox and bruxism, so I have some professional information there also.
