Why Does My Dental Implant Hurt When I Chew?

While your mouth heals from dental implant surgery, it is normal to experience some pain and discomfort, especially when chewing. However, if your dental implant starts to hurt unexpectedly after months or years of wear, the pain may be a sign of infection or implant failure.

Why does my dental implant hurt when I chew?

There are many possible reasons for sudden dental implant pain when chewing:

• Peri-implantitis: An inflammatory condition, peri-implantitis affects the gums, bones and tissues surrounding the dental implant site. Commonly a result of poor oral hygiene, this type of infection has unpleasant side effects such as pus, throbbing pain, bad breath, swelling and bleeding.
• Improper implant placement: Choosing the right dental clinic for your surgery is essential in order to prevent this from happening. When an implant is improperly placed, it causes discomfort in the surrounding bones and gums, or even affects the sinus cavity if the dental implant is in the upper jaw.
• Damage to the implant: Smoking, eating lots of sticky, hard foods – these are just two ways in which a patient can damage their dental implant. Follow the aftercare instructions set out by your dentist to avoid inadvertently damaging your implant.
• Bruxism: The excessive grinding and clenching of your teeth puts pressure on the dental implant. This weakens the bond between your implant and bone tissue which, as a result, may lead to your implant loosening and failing altogether.

What do I do if my dental implant begins to hurt?

Contact your dentist as soon as possible. They will be able to identify the issue with your implant and what is causing you discomfort, before suggesting any treatment options. You can manage your pain at home by taking your usual over-the-counter medication. Additionally, consider switching your diet to soft and liquid foods only to minimise the amount of chewing required.

How to clean dental implants

If infection is identified as the cause of your pain, then it is imperative that you know how to keep your implants clean – this is one of the best ways you can protect against further issues.

1. Brush twice a day, ideally after meal times. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a high quality fluoride toothpaste.
2. Clean the dental implant area thoroughly to remove debris around the tooth. Be sure to pay particular attention to the gum line, brushing along the edge of the implant to remove build-up and bacteria.
3. Floss between the teeth.
4. Rinse with an excellent antiseptic mouthwash.

How else can I make my dental implant last as long as possible?

Dental implants provide up to 20 years of wear if well cared for and maintained. To help your treatment last as long as possible, consider the following:

• Maintain an excellent oral hygiene routine
• Attend routine check-ups with your dentist 1-2 times per year
• Visit your dental hygienist at two times a year for a deep clean
• Consider wearing a mouth guard if you have bruxism
• Quit smoking
• Avoid staining food and drinks – your dental implant cannot be whitened once fitted

Conclusion: If your dental implant is hurting when you chew, contact your dentist immediately. The earlier an issue is identified, the more likely it is that your dentist will be able to fix the problem and save your implant. Experiencing discomfort? Book a consultation with Yorkshire Dental Suite – we will do everything we can to stop your pain and maintain your beautiful smile.