Most people are well aware of BOTOX and have at least a vague idea of what it’s used for. They might be aware that it’s often used by celebrities to reverse aging and smooth wrinkles, allowing them to maintain youthful looking skin.
However, what you may not know is that BOTOX also has several notable health benefits. In fact, depending on the issues you’re facing, it could even be perfect for you! Here’s what you should know about this treatment and what it can really do.
What Is BOTOX?
To understand what BOTOX can do, it’s important to know what it actually is. BOTOX is a mild paralytic agent synthesized from a toxin created by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. That can sound a little bit scary, but the treatment is designed to only selectively paralyze the muscles it is injected into, and only temporarily.
It may not be immediately apparent why paralyzing your muscles would be useful, but BOTOX can do a lot for patients when used intelligently. For example, its capacity to fight wrinkles comes from reducing the movement of muscles in the face. And it can do more than that…
Health Uses for BOTOX
This treatment has become incredibly common among dentists for its ability to treat a variety of oral health problems, including:
TMJ Disorders
These are misalignments of the joints holding the jaw to the face, leading to a sore jaw, headaches, vertigo, and a variety of other issues. They can occasionally occur due to muscular issues in the face. BOTOX can alleviate these problems by relaxing the muscles along the jaw.
Bruxism
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a very common problem that can become serious if it’s allowed to persist. Your molars could become flat, reducing your capacity to chew effectively and changing the shape of your face. BOTOX can paralyze the muscles that tighten as you sleep, preventing you from involuntarily grinding at night.
Sialorrhea
This is the medical term for excessive salivary production, which can be an unfortunate side effect of several neurological conditions. BOTOX injections into the salivary glands will reduce saliva production, addressing this problem.
These are just a few examples of what BOTOX is capable of—it’s an incredibly versatile treatment, one that can even be used outside of a dental context. You don’t need to be a celebrity to benefit from this treatment. It could be just the thing you need to address the unique health problem you’re facing.
About the Author
Estes Weldon is an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse with 12 years of experience helping patients look and feel their best. Her knowledge of dermatology, dental fillers, and BOTOX allow her to make subtle, natural-looking improvements to both her patients’ appearances, and even to address complex health problems. She earned her Master’s in Nursing from the University of Florida and has earned the title of Master Injector due to her years of training in BOTOX and fillers.
If you want to know more about BOTOX, she can be reached at her website or by phone at (352) 433-0888.