Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Botox for teeth grinding etc

24 replies

LunaHeather · 11/03/2021 11:21

Short version

Major issues with TMJ for years

Have mouthguard etc

Doctor and dentist said Botox ages ago but I am scared of it, what if it damages my face or makes me look plastic?

Does anyone have experience of this? Did it really help? I find I still clench my jaw really hard with the mouthguard in and the headaches are awful. My insomnia is not helped by wearing a mouthguard.

Are there any other injectables that might help?

Thank you.

OP posts:

dontgobaconmyheart · 11/03/2021 12:11

I've had it, every few months for a period of time .This was on the NHS.

It did absolutely nothing for the TMD/TMJ and I found it reasonably uncomfortable to have injected as it's so tender for me in that area but it was tolerable.

It doesn't alter the appearance of your face, firstly it's only going on around the affected points of your jawline and secondly the amounts used are very small.

It can't damage your face, it will dissolve itself after a few months anyway, it is not permanent. Hence why you have to go back and have it with whatever frequency the consultant assesses is appropriate. I had mine every 6 weeks.

Whilst it didn't work for me OP I do think it is worth a go. Some people find it very helpful and you may be one of them. If not you need not have it again.

Original poster

LunaHeather · 11/03/2021 12:45

Oh god I typed a whole reply and MN ate it.

So it didn't help? I don't think I can have it NHS. It sounds silly but I hadn't really thought about it not helping, more than it might make me look weird or go wrong in a scary way.

OP posts:

justanotherneighinparadise · 11/03/2021 12:46

I read it damaged bone density. Let me see if I can find the article.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Dental health General health

TheBigGreenDinosaur · 11/03/2021 12:48

My DH had this for TMJ, he had it just under 2 years ago and hasn’t had any issues since it didn’t change anything on his face. He has been told it may need to be repeated in the future but so far so good.

TheBigGreenDinosaur · 11/03/2021 12:49

Oh and he had it on the NHS

justanotherneighinparadise · 11/03/2021 12:49

I believe it was this: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6409568/

However I will say that when I googled there seems to be other articles where they think short term use may be okay, but long term perhaps not.

KateKeeper · 11/03/2021 12:51

Hello. There are a couple of threads about this in the general health section as well. Might be of interest to you.

justanotherneighinparadise · 11/03/2021 12:52

Just to add personally I wouldn’t touch it unless I was in absolute agony through it.

I assume youve tried obvious things like yoga/Pilates therapies that reduce stress and increase flexibility thus helping with tension/inflammation. Diet. For me a low carb/Keto diet has really helped. Again I think that’s because it’s reduced inflammation, I had an area of chronic gingivitis that disappeared along side the sugar and carbs.

Original poster

LunaHeather · 11/03/2021 13:20

Thank you for all the answers

Did those who have it get it done at the dentist?

I had heard that some people have it once, the jaw gets out of the habit and then they don't need it again, which tallies with one experience here.

OP posts:

TheBigGreenDinosaur · 11/03/2021 14:02

DH had it done at the hospital by a consultant. To injection looked awful from where I was sat but he says he barely felt it! He might be being all macho though

Original poster

LunaHeather · 11/03/2021 14:33

@TheBigGreenDinosaur

DH had it done at the hospital by a consultant. To injection looked awful from where I was sat but he says he barely felt it! He might be being all macho though

Thanks

The injection bit doesn't worry me so that's one plus!

OP posts:

TooYoungToNotice · 11/03/2021 15:26

My dentist has recommended this for me as the mouthguard is no longer stopping the headaches. Im also a bit terrified of the idea OP. When being diagnosed the consultant pressed his fingers into the gap between my lower and upper sets of teeth. I've rarely encountered such unexpected and startling pain. He's very lucky I didn't accidentally bite him as I shot out of the chair like Jack in a box so I can't imagine having an injection in such a tender area and keep putting it off.

Had no idea it could be done on the NHS, I was told it would need to be private!

Original poster

LunaHeather · 11/03/2021 15:52

TooYoung I wonder if it's a postcode lottery thing.

Do you mind if I ask how you manage the pain?

OP posts:

cerseii · 11/03/2021 15:55

It certainly affects the shape of my face. Naturally I have a heart shaped face (slim jaw, wider/higher cheeks) but when my muscles are flared up my face shape looks more square and boxy. I lose the natural taper from my cheeks to my jaw.

Original poster

LunaHeather · 11/03/2021 15:58

@cerseii

I don't mind losing the swollen jaw!

But sometimes Botox looks bizarre. I'm sorry I can't explain myself better but I don't know much about this.

My best friend said the faces I see around town that ...er, take me aback...are due to fillers or Botox around the eyes, reckons it's not a concern for the jaw area.

OP posts:

cerseii · 11/03/2021 16:04

Botox for tmd is completely different than Botox used elsewhere for cosmetic reasons.

Having said that, you may still suffer from temporary paralysis with masseter Botox, in that you may temporarily find it difficult to smile as widely.

cerseii · 11/03/2021 16:05

Sorry, by my first sentence I mean you won’t look like someone with botched Botox after tmd treatment

Original poster

LunaHeather · 11/03/2021 16:09

@cerseii

Sorry, by my first sentence I mean you won’t look like someone with botched Botox after tmd treatment

Thank you I thought maybe they used different stuff.

OP posts:

cerseii · 11/03/2021 16:17

Yeah I didn’t think that through before posting

I had mine done at a NHS dental hospital after dentist referral. They only offer it for more severe cases, eg I had to try physio etc first

Personally I like the change it makes to my face but you definitely won’t look plastic. That generally happens with Botox injected in the forehead etc, it’s not really relevant for this procedure. Search for shaaanxo videos for an idea of what the change looks like

Original poster

LunaHeather · 11/03/2021 16:45

cerseii what kind of physio did they give you?

I do Bob and Brad exercises!

OP posts:

Original poster

LunaHeather · 12/03/2021 11:04

Sorry another question

Does anyone find their jawline is swollen with this, even on the days it doesn't hurt?

OP posts:

KateKeeper · 12/03/2021 16:03

Yes. I've got muscles building there too 🙈

Grumpasaurus · 12/03/2021 16:15

I have had it done. It is the only thing that has worked for me! Didn't alter my face at all, except made it less boxy. God the relief!!!

Original poster

LunaHeather · 12/03/2021 16:32

@Grumpasaurus

I have had it done. It is the only thing that has worked for me! Didn't alter my face at all, except made it less boxy. God the relief!!!

Thank you

I'm boxy on one side

So bizarre

Did you both go via NHS? I don't know if I want to do that, tbh. I'm assuming clinics aren't open for this at the mo but it's hard to tell from looking online.

OP posts:

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread