If you’ve received dental implants to replace your missing teeth, then you know all about how incredible of a solution they are! The implants are able to fully replicate the look, feel, and functionality of your lost pearly whites and can last for 20 or more years with proper care. But sometimes, patients experience increased and abnormal sensitivity around their implants—even though they aren’t technically real teeth! Keep reading to learn more about dental implants and what can cause them to become hypersensitive, along with some ways to alleviate your discomfort if it happens to you.
What Causes Dental Implant Sensitivity?
Even though they aren’t real teeth, dental implants are still connected to your jawbone the same way that your real teeth are. The titanium posts of the implants are surgically placed into your jaw, where they function just like the roots of your natural teeth. This means that your implant sites can experience sensitivity that potentially stems from a variety of different things:
- Untreated gum infection – As gum disease progresses, it can affect your jawbone density and in turn, the stability of your implants which results in them feeling loose and painful.
- Crowded teeth – Sometimes implants are placed too close to your other natural teeth, causing uncomfortable crowding.
- Impaction – Food or other particles can become impacted between your dental implants and natural teeth, causing a great amount of sensitivity.
- Tissue or nerve damage – There’s a possibility for you to sustain nerve or tissue damage during the dental implantation process—sometimes this nerve damage can even be permanent.
- Allergic reaction – In rare cases, some patients experience an allergic reaction to the materials that compose the implants.
How Can I Lessen My Discomfort Until My Appointment?
If you’re experiencing dental implant sensitivity, it might be a sign that your implant is failing—meaning that your best course of action is contacting your dentist promptly. They will be able to examine your mouth and determine the cause of the sensitivity as well as an appropriate course of action. That said, there are a few things you can do to alleviate your discomfort in the hours before your appointment:
- Gently brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and floss with delicate care.
- Rinse with an anti-bacterial mouthwash or a saltwater solution for 30 – 60 seconds to help with gum inflammation.
- Avoid hard-to-chew or crunchy foods and steer away from sugary and acidic drinks.
- Don’t smoke or use tobacco and refrain from other bad oral habits.
- Consider a calcium-rich diet moving forward to ensure adequate jawbone density.
There could be many potential reasons for your dental implant feeling sensitive, but many of them point towards implant failure. This means that getting to the bottom of the issue quickly and restoring your dental implant is the only way to ensure that your smile isn’t in any long-term danger.
About the Practice
The team at South Ridge Dental has proudly served patients and families in the Lincoln, NE area under the leadership of Dr. Ryan Shaffer and Dr. Steven Shaffer. The practice is pleased to offer a wide range of services including dental implants. If you’re concerned about a sensitive dental implant or would like to arrange a visit, you can contact the practice online or over the phone for assistance: (402) 423-1616.