“Put toxins in my body? Not me!” That was my thought about Botox (Botulinum toxin) until more recently. So many people like me have TMJ issues…popping jaws, headaches, neck pain, and sore facial muscles. I had heard that Botox as well as other botulinum toxin brands like Xeomin were now being used for treatment of these issues, so I decided to take courses to learn how I might be able to help my patients. Dentists have had extensive education in head and neck anatomy… more than most medical doctors, so it felt natural to take courses related to treating this area of the body. What I discovered in being the guinea pig for my associate, Dr. Chandler, who was also taking the courses, was that not only did I gain relief of the pain in my neck and jaws as well as experience fewer headaches, but I also was able to reduce my forehead and eye wrinkles and make my lips more attractive!
Botox/Xeomin contains a protein made from Botulinum toxin, which the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, produces. Botox injections work by weakening or paralyzing certain muscles or by blocking certain nerves. The effects last anywhere from a few to several months. People who clench their teeth or who have neck strain often suffer from headaches and neck pain. Injections of Botulinum toxin causes the muscles to relax, reducing clenching and relieving the muscle strain that causes certain types of headaches and neck aches.
And then there is also the esthetic benefit! Injections of Botulinum toxin can enhance your natural beauty. It isn’t an iron for wrinkles that are there when your facial muscles are relaxed, but it prevents your activated muscles from making permanent creases and lines which is why starting sooner than I did (I’m in my 50s) is more ideal, although I found that it still wasn’t too late for me!
The faces we make carry emotional weight. You may have heard that smiling more can make you feel happier. Well frowning less has the same effect! I love my smooth, “less angry” forehead now, and I even had Botox placed around my lips which gave the result of fewer lines around my lips as well as making them a little more outturned, so they look more full. Our dental team has now fully embraced the benefits of botulinum toxin and are loving being able to help relieve people’s pain while giving them a more youthful appearance.
