If you suffer from bruxism or the tendency to grind your teeth, this might cause discomfort and tension in your jaw. Sometimes, bruxism might also be because of stress or habitual jaw clenching. Unfortunately, when this tension cannot be treated over time, it can eventually lead to pain, headaches, and even changes in your facial structure.
One of the many ways this can be addressed is to manage the symptoms of bruxism through masseter muscle treatments. These treatments may help relax the overactive jaw muscles to reduce clenching and the pain associated with it.
Let’s take a look at how these procedures for jaw clenching have the potential to help relieve jaw tension.
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What Are the Masseter Muscles?
First, let’s talk about masseter muscles. The masseter muscles are located on both sides of your jaw, helping you with functions such as chewing, speaking, and other jaw movements. Sometimes, people may have a habit where the jaw muscles may be challenged, especially when they grind their teeth or clench their jaw because of stress or just by habit.
Eventually, this becomes alarming to patients, and more particularly when they start to complain of these symptoms:
- When their jaw starts to feel tight or painful
- Headaches that may come from the jaw area
- Difficulty opening their mouth
- Teeth enamel that’s worn down because of teeth grinding
- Changes in facial shape, such as a squared jawline
One of the remedies for this is through the use of mouthguards. Others may also be recommended to make lifestyle changes, which are typically advised by doctors in case the pain and tension are not yet too severe.
However, when these methods still do not provide sufficient relief to the patient, many of them would turn to procedures for jaw clenching to help relax the masseter muscles, addressing the root cause of the tension.
How Do Masseter Muscle Treatments Work?
Masseter muscle treatments work by administering small amounts of a neuromodulator, such as botulinum toxin, directly into the masseter muscles. These treatments may help reduce the muscle’s ability to contract excessively, which will then provide relief from jaw clenching and tension.
Here’s a breakdown of how these masseter treatments work:
1. Reducing Muscle Contractions
The substance that will be administered into the jaw is called a neuromodulator, which blocks the nerve signals that cause the masseter muscles to overly contract. These treatments may help relax the muscles, reducing jaw tension and preventing excessive clenching and grinding.
2. Alleviating Jaw Pain
These treatments for jaw clenching may also help in relieving jaw tension and pain. So, for patients who experience suffering from jaw pain, tension headaches, and discomfort due to overactive jaw muscles, masseter treatments may be able to help.
3. Facial Slimming (Secondary Benefit)
In some cases, overdeveloped masseter muscles can create a broader or squared jawline. Relaxing the muscles with treatments can lead to a softer, slimmer facial appearance over time. However, the main purpose of the treatment is to reduce tension, and any aesthetic improvements are just secondary benefits.
Benefits of Masseter Muscle Treatments
Masseter treatments may offer numerous benefits for individuals suffering from jaw clenching and tension. Some key advantages include:
1. Non-Surgical Treatment
One of its biggest advantages is that these treatments are non-invasive, which means they don’t require any incisions or long recovery times. This makes it an ideal option for people who are seeking treatment that do not need to take several days off their work or alter their everyday routine with surgery.
2. Pain Relief
The primary benefit of masseter treatments is their ability to alleviate jaw tension and pain. Patients often report feeling relief from discomfort within a few days of the procedure.
3. Long-lasting Results
Based on a study, the effects of masseter treatments can last up to 8 weeks. This means patients may be able to feel relieved from jaw tension for 8 weeks after a session. To maintain the benefits, it’s better to talk to your qualified practitioner if getting multiple sessions is suitable in your case to address issues of jaw clenching and teeth grinding.
4. Improved Oral Health
When jaw clenching is addressed, you will be relieved of teeth grinding as well. That means the enamel on your teeth will still be present to keep the teeth protected, improving your overall oral health.
How Can Treatments Help Relieve Jaw Tension?
Masseter treatments are said to help in relieving jaw tension caused by bruxism or other stress-related factors. How these treatments work is by temporarily reducing the muscle’s ability to contract, which would let the jaw muscles relax and reduce stress on the surrounding tissues. Here’s how this works in practice:
1. Immediate Pain Relief
Patients often experience a noticeable reduction in jaw tension and discomfort within a few days of the procedure. This immediate relief helps improve daily life by reducing headaches, facial tension, and even pain in the neck and shoulders.
2. Reduced Bruxism Symptoms
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can cause long-term damage to the teeth. By relaxing the masseter muscles, the treatments reduce the frequency and severity of grinding, protecting the teeth from wear and tear.
3. Prevention of Future Complications
When left untreated, chronic jaw clenching can lead to more serious complications, such as damaged teeth, gum issues, and even TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders. Masseter treatments may help prevent these complications by managing the underlying cause of jaw tension.
Potential Side Effects of Masseter Treatments
While masseter muscle treatments are generally considered safe when administered by a qualified practitioner, there are some potential side effects to be aware of. Most side effects are temporary and mild, but it’s important to understand them before undergoing treatment. Common side effects may include:
- Bruising or swelling at the treatment site
- Temporary muscle weakness affecting chewing or smiling
- Asymmetry if one side of the muscle is more affected than the other
- Headaches or flu-like symptoms in some cases
These effects usually resolve on their own within a few days to a week. It’s important to follow post-treatment care instructions to minimise these risks. If any unusual or persistent side effects occur, it’s best to consult with your healthcare provider immediately.
Release the Tension with Masseter Treatments
Masseter muscle treatments may offer a solution for those suffering from jaw tension, headaches, or discomfort caused by teeth grinding or clenching. Because of its non-surgical nature, you may find yourself relieved from the pain. However, it is still important to be wary of the possible side effects of these treatments by talking to your practitioner openly.
Before any decision you make, ensure that you consult with a qualified practitioner first to give you the options you can choose from and the side effects of each one.
Find your partner towards jaw relief from our team at My Cosmetic Clinic. We will help you assess your needs and create a treatment plan to help you achieve your desired results.
Book an appointment and discover more about masseter treatments. Start your journey toward a tension-free life!
