Night-time bruxism is much more common than people think. Those who grind their teeth during sleep are often unaware of it for a long time. Bruxism can be caused by stress, which leads to unconscious contraction of the chewing muscles, or by problems with dental occlusion. It can cause tooth wear and problems with the jaw joint, as well as headache, ear pain, tooth sensitivity, difficulty opening the mouth and neck pain.
The most established treatment is a night-time bite guard, which is a matter for the dentist. Botulinum toxin can help by reducing the strength of the masseter, a powerful chewing muscle that can be felt near the angle of the jaw when clenching. The treatment is simple and takes some time to work, given the strength of the muscle, which is often enlarged.
A further aesthetic benefit is that the masseter becomes slightly less visible, making the jaw look less square. The injection is done in the outpatient clinic and patients can return to their normal activities straight away.
