I am proud to say that I have all my own teeth at the age of 65. While that may not sound unusual to some people, everyone in my family who is my age or older wears dentures. I always tell people that that flossing is the key to good dental health. I have arthritis in my hands, but I don't let it keep me from flossing every day. My trick is to use those little "flossers" you can buy at the drug store. They have plastic handles floss stretched out on top of the handle. These make flossing easier on days when my arthritis is acting up. I started this blog to let other people know that they can keep their teeth healthy into old age when they take care of them. If you have hand pain, find ways to make flossing easier, like I did.
Don't Let Hand Pain Keep You from Flossing
4 Ways Your Dentist Is Using Botox
Francis Miles
Most people are familiar with Botox use on the face, but did you know that dentists are also using Botox in their practice? No, they are not removing wrinkles from teeth, but they are seeing some exciting effects from the use of Botox. Here's what you need to know.
What is Botox?
Botox is a highly purified protein that can be used to relax muscles. When injected in small amounts, it can block the signals from the nerves to the muscles, causing them to relax. This can be used to temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles on the face.
How can dentists use Botox?
Dentists are using Botox to treat patients in their dental practice that have specific issues, including:
High Lip Line
Some people have a high lip line. This means that their top lip is higher than their bottom lip and is sometimes referred to as a 'gummy' smile. This can be a problem because it can make it difficult to close the lips fully, which can cause a number of problems, including:
- Dry mouth
- Tooth decay
- Gum disease
- Bad breath
- Inability to wear dentures or other dental appliances comfortably
Botox can be injected into the muscles that raise the upper lip. This will help to relax those muscles and lower the lip line.
Bruxism
Bruxism is when someone clenches or grinds their teeth. This can be a problem because it can wear down the teeth and cause other problems, such as:
- Headaches
- Jaw pain
- Tooth sensitivity
- Ear pain
Botox can be injected into the muscles that are used for clenching and grinding. This will help to relax those muscles and reduce bruxism.
TMJ
Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, commonly referred to as TMJ, is when your jaw is not functioning properly and is painful. You might get headaches or pain in your ears. It can also make it hard to open your mouth wide. Botox can be injected into the muscles that are used for opening and closing the mouth. This will help to relax those muscles and reduce the painful effects of TMJ.
Edentulous
Edentulous means that a person is missing one or more teeth. This can be a problem because it can make it hard to eat and speak properly and it can also cause the other teeth to shift. Botox can be injected into the muscles that are used for chewing. This will help to relax those muscles and make it easier to eat and speak.
How do you know if Botox is right for you?
The best way to know if Botox is right for you is to talk to your dentist. They will be able to assess your specific situation and determine if Botox is a good option for you.
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