Dental veneers can beautify your smile, hiding blemishes and making your face shine brighter. Although the process of getting veneers is simple and effective, some people experience some pain after it is done.
A mild pain can be taken lightly, but what if the pain is severe?
Avoiding severe pain can cost you a lot in the future. Hence, it becomes essential to understand the root cause behind veneer pain. In this blog, you will get a detailed account of what might be causing pain after veneers and what possible steps one should take to manage the pain.
Understanding Normal vs. Severe Pain
Sensitivity is normal after getting veneers. Your teeth undergo reshaping in this process and the bonding also might cause some discomfort. However, this sensitivity is only for some days and should not last long.
If you’re having sharp, lingering, or throbbing pain that gets worse with time, it’s a red flag. Pain that interferes with daily activities, swells, or makes chewing difficult is not normal. Recognizing the difference between temporary sensitivity and something severe is the first step toward better oral health.
What Can be the Possible Causes of Major Pain After Veneers?
Some of the reasons for continued discomfort with veneers might be:
- Tooth Sensitivity: Stripping off a thin enamel layer exposes the dentin. This makes your teeth more sensitive to temperature. A shooting and sharp pain occurs when eating cold or hot foods.
- Nerve Irritation: If the veneer installation gets too close to the nerve of the tooth, it can cause increased sensitivity or even inflammation of the nerve. In extreme situations, this can be treated with other dental work.
- Bite Misalignment: Remember, your veneers must perfectly integrate with your current bite. If they are even slightly misplaced, it can put additional pressure on specific teeth, causing soreness and jaw pain.
- Gum Inflammation: Irregularly fitting veneers irritate the gum, leading to redness, swelling, or tenderness. This makes the whole area sensitive and uncomfortable.
- Decay or Infection: If an unseen cavity existed prior to the veneer fitting, it would develop over time, causing intense pain or infection under the veneer.
What Are the Immediate Steps to Manage Pain?
If you have severe pain, there are a few things you can do immediately to reduce the discomfort:
- Modify your diet. Eat soft foods and avoid anything extremely hot, cold, or crunchy to reduce irritation.
- Take over-the-counter pain medications. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help reduce inflammation and temporarily relieve pain.
- Try a saltwater rinse. Swishing warm salt water around your mouth can calm irritated gums and aid healing.
- Do not grind or clench. If you suspect nocturnal teeth grinding, wear a mouthguard to relieve pressure on veneers.
- Steer clear of acidic foods. Sodas, vinegar, and citrus fruits can irritate sensitivity and further exacerbate the pain.
Discomfort and pain after getting done with veneers might be frustrating. But you can control the situation very easily by understanding the root causes. You can try mild home remedies initially. But, if the pain persists, or worse, if it increases, contact a dental clinic at the earliest.
Take the right action at the right time and have a healthy smile.