Our Owings Mills dental office can help patients with TMJ disorders and patients who want to address facial wrinkles with Botox. Botox helps people with TMD get fewer headaches by calming their facial muscles. Plus, if you’re after that smooth and youthful skin look, Botox has your back. It eases the muscle tension that leads to wrinkles, giving your skin a fresher appearance.
If you are new to Botox treatment in our office and want to know what to do before and after your first Botox treatment, we’re here to help.
Tips To Follow Before and After Botox From Your Baltimore Dentist
Preparing for Botox and healing after your Botox treatment will ensure you feel comfortable and stay prepared throughout the process. Our office is here to provide tips to keep in mind before and after Botox.
Before Botox
Before your first Botox treatment, follow these tips to prevent potential bruising, strain, and dry skin:
- Exercise: Exercise up to one day before your treatment to avoid strain.
- Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol can dry your skin and increase the risk of bruising from treatment. It’s best to avoid drinking one week before Botox.
- Don’t Take Blood Thinners: Fish oil, NSAIDs, and other blood thinners increase the risk of bruising. Take medications like Tylenol right before treatment instead.
- Avoid Garlic: Garlic can potentially increase the risk of bruising after Botox. We recommend avoiding foods that have garlic seven days before your Botox treatment.
- Don’t Drink Coffee: Coffee increases blood pressure and can also increase the risk of bruising. 24 hours before your Botox treatment, avoid coffee and caffeine.
After Botox
Following your Botox treatment, you should follow these tips to reduce irritation or swelling for quick healing:
- Avoid UV Exposure: Stay out of the sun. UV exposure can lead to increased skin irritation and redness. Limit your time outdoors for at least 24 hours after Botox, and wear sunscreen.
- Use Ice: Using an ice pack in 15 to 20-minute intervals helps prevent swelling post-treatment.
- Avoid Touching Your Face: Do not lay down with your face touching a pillow, and avoid any pressure on your face directly after treatment. Additionally, do not rub at the injection sites. However, you can still gently wash your face.
- Wash Your Face Gently: 72 hours after your treatment, you can use a gentle cleanser to wash your face. After this point, you can begin to wear makeup and more skincare.
Following these instructions will ensure quick and comfortable healing. We also provide touch-up treatments for patients about every six months. Remember these tips for each treatment you receive in our office.
Maximizing Your Results
While Botox starts working within 24-48 hours, full results appear after about two weeks. For longest-lasting effects (typically 3-4 months), avoid strenuous exercise and excessive heat exposure for the first 24 hours. These can break down the neurotoxin faster.
Staying hydrated helps your body process the treatment better. If you’re using Botox for TMJ relief, we may recommend gentle jaw stretches once the medication takes full effect to help retrain muscle memory.
When to Schedule Follow-Up Treatments
For cosmetic patients, maintenance appointments every 3-4 months maintain consistent results. TMJ patients often find relief lasts longer (4-6 months) as the treatment helps break the cycle of muscle overuse. We recommend scheduling your next appointment before leaving our office to secure your preferred time slot. Some long-term patients find they can extend time between treatments as their muscles “learn” to stay more relaxed.
Special Considerations for First-Time Patients
If this is your first Botox experience, don’t worry about getting “frozen” or unnatural results. We use conservative doses initially and can always add more at a follow-up if needed. First-time TMJ patients should know it may take 1-2 weeks to experience full pain relief as the medication gradually relaxes the muscles. Some patients have mild headache or temporary weakness in nearby muscles as their body adjusts. This is normal and resolves quickly.
Why Choose a Dental Practice for Botox?
As dental professionals, we have unparalleled knowledge of facial anatomy from both cosmetic and functional perspectives. Our expertise in jaw muscles and nerves makes us especially skilled at precise Botox placement for both therapeutic and aesthetic purposes. We understand how your facial muscles work together when chewing, speaking, and expressing emotions. This knowledge translates to more natural-looking cosmetic results and more effective TMJ treatment.
All our Botox treatments use genuine, FDA-approved products from authorized suppliers. Our staff maintains the highest standards of sterilization and injection safety. We keep emergency medications on hand (though they’re rarely needed) and carefully review your health history to prevent complications. You’re in expert hands at our Owings Mills practice.
Whether you’re seeking relief from jaw pain or wanting to refresh your appearance, Botox could be the simple solution you’ve been looking for. Our team welcomes all your questions – no concern is too small when it comes to your comfort and satisfaction. Call Cosmetic and Advanced Dentistry today at (410) 697-6290, or request an appointment online.