I Got "Oral Botox" For My Jaw Tension — and it Worked

• Botox is a neurotoxin known to paralyze facial muscles.
• While it's off-label, Botox has also been said to help treat TMJ pain.
• One editor got Botox for her jaw discomfort and was impressed with the results.

I began clenching my jaw when I got teeth aligners. Since starting my treatment, I noticed I've had to unclench my lower jaw when waking up in the morning, working, or really going about my otherwise normal daily routine. After doing some research, I found out that this issue is called temporomandibular joint dysfunction, or TMD.

While looking up possible treatments for the discomfort I was feeling, I saw that Botox was commonly named as an option. (It's worth noting that despite promising studies, this is all done off-label, as the area has not yet been FDA-approved.)

"Botox has always been a good treatment for TMD pain, as the way Botox works is that it prevents muscles from contracting," Keith Arbeitman, DDS, cosmetic dentist and CEO of SymplBrush, tells POPSUGAR. "Oral facial pain is often caused by overactive muscles. By injecting Botox into them, you can limit enough of the muscle fibres from firing that it makes a real difference in how much you can use the muscles to clench and grind your teeth, without limiting your ability to chew, swallow, or smile."

Curious about the treatment, I visited Dr. Arbeitman to get my own round of oral Botox and was shocked with the results. Keep reading to see how it went.

The Process of Getting Oral Botox

Once I got settled, one of the first things that Dr. Arbeitman asked me was where I felt the most discomfort, to which I explained toward the back of my lower jaw. After getting a general understanding of the area, he then felt around the area to assess where most of the tension was being held.

"Once we've examined the temporomandibular joint (or TMJ), we determine which muscles are causing the symptoms," Dr. Arbeitman says. "Then, we typically do a 'trigger point injection,' or an injection into the areas causing the most discomfort."

For me, he used four trigger point injections: two on the left and two on the right. Still, the amount of Botox used was actually very small. "I always err on the side of less is more," Dr. Arbeitman says. "You don't want to overdo it on Botox, as you always want to be able to add more that is needed to address discomfort later, instead of having to address something going wrong from going overboard."

With that in mind, Dr. Arbeitman used 40 units of Botox for the procedure in total, with 20 on each side of my face (10 for the two trigger point injections on each jaw).

A big question I get asked is "Did it hurt?" but it was actually the opposite. With my first trigger point injection, I immediately felt a sense of relief in my left jaw. I was worried that it may have been a placebo effect, which is something I mentioned to Dr. Arbeitman. It turns out that many people who suffer from TMD symptoms go through the same thing.

"As a dentist who has treated TMD for 20 years, with Botox, I've found longer, more profound improvements to TMD pain in a much shorter time frame," he says. "While Botox usually takes seven to 14 days to take effect, most people notice an immediate improvement from the injections."

My appointment was over in about 15 minutes. I was given an ice pack in case I had any swelling or soreness, but I didn't need it as I felt completely normal. Though I was bracing for a headache and some bruising, which are common side effects after getting Botox, the next day I looked and felt fine.

After Getting Oral Botox

It's been about one week since getting the treatment, and while my TMJ pain isn't completely gone, I have also noticed that I no longer have to unclench my jaw immediately after waking up each morning and I've noticed my jaw holds much less tension throughout the day overall.

I haven't noticed any difficulty with chewing — another possible side effect of getting oral Botox — or any lack of control when smiling. While typical Botox tends to last anywhere from three to four months, the results from injecting a larger muscle like your jaw (and because practitioners tend to use more units) it can last up to six months. If you feel you need more before then, it is always recommended to speak with your dentist to figure out the best plan of action for your personal needs.

Now that I know this treatment works, I will definitely be going back for more Botox to better manage my TMD symptoms. If you are having any TMD symptoms or are unable to wear a nightguard, this may be a viable option to better manage your discomfort.