How Long After Botox® Can I Have Dental Work?
You might have heard that Botox® and dental work don’t mix. Is there any truth to this?
Sort of. A lot depends on the circumstances. When deciding whether to get dental work done soon after (or before) Botox treatment, you should always defer to your provider. They know best.
That said, there are some general guidelines around Botox treatment and dentistry that you should be aware of before scheduling an appointment. Here’s what you need to know.
How Long After Botox Can You Have Dental Work?
The best practice is to wait at least two weeks to get dental work done after receiving Botox injections.
The same guidance applies to dental work done before Botox treatment. It’s best to schedule major dental work (such as fillings, crowns, bridges, and root canals) at least two weeks prior to Botox.
Should You Always Wait Two Weeks?
The two-week waiting period isn’t always necessary. Your provider is less likely to recommend waiting this long between Botox and dental work if:
- The treatment area is far from the mouth. There are many recognized Botox injection sites. Quite a few reside near the mouth, but many are relatively far away: the forehead, the back of the neck, the underarms. The farther the distance between the treated area and the mouth, the lower the risk of interactions and complications.
- The dental work won’t involve any cutting or pulling. The biggest risk associated with dental work after Botox is infection. This is a reasonable concern when the dental work involves cutting into gums or soft tissue or pulling teeth because these procedures create conditions that promote the spread of bacteria. If you’re just going in for a routine dental cleaning, infection risk is lower.
- Your risk profile is otherwise low. Again, you should always defer to your provider. They could caution against dental work if you have other risk factors working against you, like documented history of post-treatment infection after Botox.
Generally, it’s not a good idea to schedule Botox and dental work on the same day. But if your provider gives you the go-ahead, you could be good to go in as little as 24 hours.
Why Wait to Get Dental Work After Botox?
There are two reasons: to give Botox time to take full effect and to prevent bruising, infection, and other potential complications.
Though Botox is minimally invasive, the skin does take time to heal after Botox injection. During the healing period, the risk of bruising and infection is higher. These complications can interfere with Botox’s results even when they don’t seriously impact your health.
Other Ways to Reduce the Side Effects of Botox and Dental Work
To reduce the side effects of Botox and the potential complications associated with Botox and dental work, follow these guidelines:
- Choose your provider carefully. Work with a trained provider who understands how to inject Botox safely. If you’re getting dermal fillers at the same time, work with a provider trained in both. Never self-inject.
- Follow your provider’s post-treatment recommendations. They may advise you to avoid laying down for a few hours after treatment, to refrain from massaging the affected area, and to avoid alcoholic beverages for at least 24 hours after treatment.
Consider evidence-based home treatment. Always follow your provider’s guidance. Some patients swear by over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and herbal remedies like St. John’s wort, but your provider knows best.
