When you have a TMJ disorder, you might find yourself suffering from frequent headaches. Naturally, making the pain go away will be one of your top priorities, but how can you do that? There are various solutions that your dentist could suggest – and believe it or not, BOTOX is one of them. Read on to learn why a BOTOX treatment might help you find lasting relief from your TMJ headaches.
What is a TMJ Disorder?
First, it’s important to understand what a TMJ disorder is. Simply put, it is an issue involving the jaw joint on either side of your head that connects your lower jaw to the rest of your skull. When the joint or the muscles around it are strained or damaged, it can result in considerable discomfort. Headaches are just one of many symptoms that you might notice as a result of a dysfunctional jaw joint.
How Can BOTOX Help You Find Relief?
You need to treat your TMJ disorder if you want your headaches to go away. In some cases, that can mean using BOTOX. You’re probably already aware that BOTOX is traditionally used to treat facial wrinkles. It works by temporarily paralyzing the facial muscles around the injection site; this stops them from making the involuntary motions that cause wrinkles in the first place, thus smoothing out the skin.
When used to treat a TMJ disorder, BOTOX is injected into the muscles near the jaw joints (and possibly other areas depending on your symptoms). The injection helps the muscles relax and prevents them from making certain movements for a while. Doing so significantly relieves much of the tension on your jaw, thus reducing headaches as well as other types of pain that you might have been experiencing.
Of course, it’s important to remember that BOTOX is considered a temporary solution for TMJ disorder. The injection will wear off over time, and while it can stop your pain for a while, it doesn’t address the underlying problems that might have caused the disorder in the first place. As such, you’ll want to talk to your dentist about other steps you can take after BOTOX to put a more decisive stop to your condition.
How Else Can a TMJ Disorder Be Treated?
There are many different possible causes of TMJ disorder. As such, your dentist will need to carefully consider your unique situation before they make any recommendations. For example, if your TMJ disorder is linked to bruxism, they may recommend wearing a mouthguard to prevent you from putting too much pressure on your jaw joints due to involuntary teeth grinding or clenching.
Whether you’re considering BOTOX or another treatment option, the important thing to remember is that you don’t have to force yourself to live with TMJ headaches. Call your dentist as soon as possible if you’re ready to do something about your pain.
About Dr. Kenneth Bell
Dr. Bell takes a gentle approach to dentistry, and he always listens to patients carefully so that he can properly address their needs. He received his dental doctorate from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in 1992. At Bell Dental in Louisville, he can provide BOTOX as a treatment for TMJ disorder as well as a cosmetic solution. To schedule a consultation, visit his website or call (502) 749-2355.