Key Takeaways
- Bruxism is an involuntary condition where you grind or clench your teeth without realising it, gradually damaging your teeth.
- Mouth guards are dental devices placed in your mouth to separate the top and bottom teeth to prevent them from grinding and clenching.
- Botox injections are administered to the masseter muscles, blocking nerve signals to allow these muscles to relax to manage bruxism symptoms.
Stress affects us in very different ways, and for some people, they may find themselves grinding their teeth without realising it. This involuntary condition of grinding or clenching your teeth can gradually damage them, but there are ways to manage this through the use of mouth guards or masseter Botox injections.
What is Bruxism?
Bruxism is an involuntary condition that affects many people without them realising it, where you unconsciously grind or clench your teeth. This dental disorder typically occurs while you are asleep, though it may also occur during the day. It can become clear that you may have bruxism when you gradually or suddenly develop tooth or jaw-related issues.
Symptoms of bruxism include:
- Grinding or clenching teeth, which may be loud enough at times that others can hear it
- Soreness or pain in your jaw, neck, or face
- Damaged, fractured, or loose teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Tight jaw muscles
- Headaches
- Pain at the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) usually in front of the ears
- Limitation of mouth opening
- Clicking or “sandy” noises at the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) when opening or closing the mouth
While the exact cause is unknown, bruxism may manifest as a result of stress, anger, or anxiety, or even a combination of these. It may develop as a form of coping mechanism or a habit when you are busy and focused on completing a task or activity.
How Botulinum Toxin (BTX) Treats Bruxism
Botulinum Toxin (BTX) injections are typically recommended for cases of severe bruxism and may help to alleviate bruxism’s symptoms. Botulinum Toxin is a neurotoxic protein derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, specifically type A, which is carefully injected into the masseter muscles that control your jaw movements. Upon doing so, BTX temporarily blocks nerve signals that instruct the masseter muscles to contract, preventing the muscles from overworking to relieve your bruxism.
Botulinum Toxin injections are only administered by qualified medical or dental practitioners, such as an oral surgeon, who know where to inject the BTX to help manage bruxism symptoms. The effects of an injection may start to subside gradually from three to five months and will require follow-up sessions to maintain its effects in managing your bruxism. Over time, your bruxism symptoms may gradually reduce in severity.
After the BTX injection, it may take a week to three weeks for results to be noticeable. You may notice reduced teeth grinding or clenching and less jaw pain and tension. Some people may notice the masseter muscles slowly shrinking to their original size which may result in a slimming effect on the lower face.
What are Mouth Guards?
One common treatment method for teeth grinding involves the use of mouth guards. These are plastic or acrylic dental devices that are custom-made based on your dental structure, which are then fitted over the top or/ and bottom row of your teeth while you are awake or asleep. The mouth guard serves as a protective barrier that separates your top and bottom rows of teeth, thereby preventing damage due to grinding or clenching. It may also relieve pressure on your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) in your jaw, which may reduce bruxism symptoms.
Mouth guards are available in either over-the-counter (OTC) or custom-made variants. OTC mouth guards are relatively inexpensive and widely available in pharmacies, providing short-term protection for your teeth. In most cases, OTC ones are made of thermoplastic or acrylic of varying thickness. However, they have poorer fit and may cause your teeth or bite to shift, as they are not custom designed specifically to the shape of your teeth or to your bite.
Custom-made mouth guards are created at a dental clinic and require an impression or a 3-D scan of your teeth for a comfortable fit. A custom-made set is typically designed for long-term use to ensure your comfort while managing bruxism symptoms. With proper care, a custom-made mouth guard can last a relatively long time without needing frequent replacements, unlike OTC mouth guards.
Find out more about Types of Mouth Guards and How They Help Manage Bruxism.
Key Considerations Between Mouth Guards and Botox
Comfort
OTC mouth guards are relatively affordable, but offer short-term use compared to medical mouth guards that are custom-made to fit your teeth and ensure your comfort while using them. Moreover, OTC mouth guards may not be the right fit for your teeth and may impact their overall effect in managing your bruxism.
Botox injections are conducted in a medical or dental clinic and performed by qualified medical or dental staff. A session may take between 15 and 30 minutes, and the effects can last for three to six months.
Practicality
Mouth guards need to be worn regularly to ensure they can protect your teeth from grinding or clenching. Most mouth guards are worn while you sleep. Some people may be fine wearing the mouth guard, while others may find it difficult to get used to it.
After your Botox injection, you may resume daily activities or work while following the provided post-care instructions. Your surgeon may review you to see how you responded to the botulinum toxin injections prior to the next session.
Duration
Mouth guards only manage bruxism symptoms as long as they are worn. Forgetting or failing to wear it regularly may cause your bruxism symptoms to continue and potentially worsen over time.
A botulinum toxin injection will gradually take effect after your appointment, as it blocks nerve signals from reaching the masseter muscles. The Botox injection’s effects may last for two to four months and will require follow-up injections to maintain its effects.
Botox vs Mouth Guards for Teeth Grinding: Comparison Table
| Consideration | Mouth Guards | Botox Injections |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | OTC mouth guards are affordable but may not fit well. Medical mouth guards are custom-made for better comfort. | Conducted in a medical or dental clinic by qualified staff. A session may take 15 to 30 minutes. |
| Practicality | Need to be worn regularly, usually while sleeping, to protect teeth from grinding or clenching. | You may resume daily activities after the injection while following post-care instructions. |
| Duration | Only manages bruxism symptoms when worn consistently. | Gradually relaxes the masseter muscles, with temporary effects that require follow-up injections. |
Meet Dr Seah
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Dr Seah Tian Ee is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with a special interest in facial aesthetic procedures and the correction of jaw anomalies.
He was the scholarship recipient of the Health Manpower Development Programme in 2009 and trained in the United Kingdom for facial aesthetic surgery.
Dr Seah is the course director for the “Botulinum Toxin Injection Workshop” for the Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, Singapore; and is a lecturer and instructor at the annual “International Cadaver Workshop on Facial Contouring & Maxillofacial Aesthetic Surgery” in Korea.
His clinical interests are in the areas of combined rhinoplasty and orthognathic surgery, non-surgical and surgical facial aesthetic procedures, treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders and oral-maxillofacial pathology. He also does routine oral surgery such as wisdom teeth removal, dental implants etc.
To learn more about Botox injections or mouth guards for teeth grinding, contact TES Clinic today.