Botox may help night-time teeth grinding

New studies have determined that Botox(R), the drug commonly used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the face, can also help those who suffer from nighttime teeth grinding, also known as "nocturnal bruxism".

MyHealthNewsDaily.com reports that University of Texas Health Science Center researchers in Houston tested the efficacy of using Botox injections to treat nocturnal bruxism, with results that Botox (vs. a placebo injection) reduced nighttime teeth grinding four weeks after the Botox injections were administered. The only side effect reported was a slight change in appearance for some people when smiling. A separate study was conducted at the Henry Ford Medical Center in Detroit, according to MedicalXPress.com. It indicated that patients who experienced severe bruxism following head injuries, benefited from Botox injections, with no side effects, .

Nocturnal teeth grinding is one of the most common sleep disorders. It affects 30 to 40 million Americans. Many people don't know they have the condition until it is mentioned by their partner or a dentist. Nocturnal bruxism can damage the teeth, and has been associated with headaches and pain in the jaw area, according to DeltaSleepLabs.com. Experts believe studies on a  larger scale are needed to determine if Botox is truly effective in treating teeth grinding.

The wrinkle-reducing injectable has been approved for other non-cosmetic uses as well. According to BotoxMedical.com, Botox is also commonly used to treat urinary incontinence, chronic headaches, muscle stiffness, cervical dystonia and eye problems including muscle problems with the eyes (strabismus) or abnormal spasm of the eyelids (blepharospasm). Scientists are also currently testing Botox's efficacy in treating other conditions such as asthma.

The drug, however, is most commonly used to treat crow's feet, laugh lines and other wrinkles by temporarily paralyzing the muscles. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Botox was the most commonly performed non-cosmetic surgical procedure in 2011, with more than 2.6 million individuals undergoing it.

While Botox often provides positive cosmetic results with few side effects, its effects are not permanent and injections need to be repeated every three to six months for the best results.

If you are interested in the procedure, please contact Dr. Brueck in Fort Myers or Cape Coral about safety and a positive outcome.