When you hear the word “Botox,” what comes to mind? Probably an image of a beautiful person with a flawless, wrinkle-free face. While removing annoying fine lines is certainly the most popular way Botox is used these days, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, it is still frequently utilized to solve a host of non-cosmetic medical issues. Read on below to learn how Botox can help you do more than simply turn back the hands of time.
A Very (Very) Brief History of Botox
Botox was originally intended to help people dealing with muscle spasms. One fateful day, an eye doctor in Vancouver was injecting it to help a woman dealing with eye spasms, and she requested that he put some in her forehead as well. Why? She noticed that after these treatments, the wrinkles around her eyes went away. This simple interaction brought us to where we are now, but it’s interesting to think that Botox’s focus didn’t start with aesthetics!
Medical Problems Botox Can Treat
- Chronic Jaw Pain: Factors like stress and a misaligned bite can lead to unconscious teeth grinding, causing soreness in the jaw. With Botox, a dentist can stop these overactive muscles to provide fast relief.
- Frequent Migraines: The muscle pain caused byteeth grinding can easily radiate into the head and become the source of constant migraines. By calming the jaw, the migraines can be prevented.
- Worn Down/Cracked Teeth: Do your teeth look flat and short? Do dental restorations break much sooner than expected? This also could be the result of teeth grinding and jaw clenching, both of which can be solved with a few painless Botox injections, helping you avoid more issues down the road.
Getting Botox from a Dentist
For decades, Botox was only used by medical doctors, but relatively recently, more and more dentists have undergone advanced training and started utilizing it in their practices, both for cosmetic and medical reasons. It’s a perfect option for dental offices because it can not only solve a wide array of oral health issues, but it can also improve the appearance of the smile by getting rid of wrinkles that appear whenever someone shows off their teeth.
In short, the benefits of Botox are much more than skin deep, so if you’re dealing with chronic jaw pain, headaches, teeth grinding, or you simply want to look and feel younger, your dentist can give you a proven solution that only takes a few minutes to deliver results that you’ll enjoy for several months to come.
About the Author
Dr. Krysten Jackson is a certified Botox cosmetic dentist in El Reno. A graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, she works diligently to provide her patients with a wide variety of treatments, including the latest techniques, such as Botox. To learn more about how she could use Botox to help you look and feel your very best, contact El Reno Family Dentistry today to schedule a consultation.