Dental implants are one of the most popular options when it comes to tooth replacement. Unfortunately, dental implants are a major procedure. Because of this, some minor pain is to be expected. But what if you are experiencing severe pain? Does that mean all hope is lost? Luckily, no.

There are many reasons your dental implants may be causing you severe pain. Some of the more common reasons you might be experiencing pain is:

1. Infection

As you might expect, infection is a very common reason for pain after a dental implant procedure. Since the procedure requires drilling into your bone, it's easy for infection to set in. After the procedure, both the gum and the bone are susceptible to infection. So if you notice that your gums are red or inflamed, contact your dentist immediately. You may need a course of antibiotics to clear the infection.

2. Nerve Damage

Another possible reason for pain is nerve damage. If the implant is placed improperly, it could be sitting on your nerves. As you can probably imagine, this will be very painful. If the cause of pain is due to nerve damage, you'll likely have other symptoms as well. Symptoms such as tingling or numbness of your gums, lips, or face may indicate nerve damage.

Nerve damage may be temporary or permanent. So if you believe you may have nerve damage, contact your dentist. The implant may need to be replaced to alleviate your discomfort. If nerve damage is permanent, the implant may need to be removed.

3. Food Lodged Between The Implant

Finally, food stuck between your implant and gum could be causing you pain. The lodged food will irritate your gums, which can cause pain and prolong your healing process. It can also cause other issues, such as infection. Because of this, it's important to practice good oral hygiene.

If food is lodged between your implant and gum, you may need to vigorously rinse your mouth with water. If that doesn't dislodge the food, a trip to the dentist is in order. Your dentist has specialized tools that can remove the lodged food particles.

While minor pain is completely normal following dental implants, you should not be in severe pain. If you are experiencing discomfort, one of these reasons could be to blame. Regardless, be sure to make an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible to address your pain.

Share