Reading this makes me feel a bit better about my son's implants. He's 16 and just got his last month, and I swear he's constantly checking if they're still there or something... Did your daughter ever complain about soreness around the gums even after the implants felt stable? I'm trying not to hover too much (easier said than done, lol), but it's hard not to worry when he says things still feel "weird." Glad to hear it gets better eventually though.
My daughter had hers done around the same age, and honestly, your son's reaction sounds pretty familiar. She spent weeks poking around her gums, checking mirrors constantly, and saying things felt "off" or "weird." I remember thinking she'd wear out the bathroom mirror from staring at her teeth so much, lol.
From what our dentist explained, it's pretty common for teens (and adults too!) to experience some lingering soreness or sensitivity even after the implants feel stable. Apparently, the gums can take a bit longer to fully adjust and heal completely. My daughter described it as a mild ache or tenderness that came and went randomly for a couple of months. It wasn't severe pain or anything alarming—just enough discomfort to remind her something was different.
I totally get the hovering thing...it's hard not to worry when they're uncomfortable. I tried my best not to constantly ask how she was feeling (failed miserably at times), but eventually she started mentioning it less and less on her own. One thing that helped was gently reminding her that healing takes time and that weird sensations are normal during recovery. It seemed to reassure her knowing it wasn't unusual.
Also, if your son is anything like my daughter, he's probably hyper-aware of every tiny sensation right now because it's all new. Once he gets used to them being there, he'll probably stop noticing them altogether—at least that's how it went for us.
Hang in there; it really does get easier with time.
My son's going through something similar right now, and it's honestly reassuring to hear other kids experienced the same thing. He's constantly checking his teeth and saying they feel "weird," and I keep worrying if that's normal or not. Did your dentist suggest anything specific to help ease that gum sensitivity, or was it more of a wait-it-out kind of thing? I'm probably overthinking it (as usual)...
My daughter went through something similar when she got braces a couple years back. She kept saying her gums felt "off" and was constantly poking around her teeth, convinced something wasn't right. I remember worrying myself sick about it, thinking maybe the orthodontist had missed something or that she was having some weird reaction. When we finally brought it up at her next appointment, the dentist explained that gum sensitivity and that "weird" feeling is actually pretty common when teeth are shifting or adjusting to new dental work. He recommended a gentle saltwater rinse twice a day, which seemed to help ease her discomfort quite a bit. Honestly, though, I think part of it was just her getting used to the new sensations—after a few weeks, she stopped mentioning it altogether. You're definitely not alone in overthinking this stuff...I do it all the time too.
My son had a similar issue when he first got his dental implants. He kept saying something felt "weird" or "off," and I was convinced we'd made some huge mistake. Turns out, just like braces, implants can cause gum sensitivity and odd sensations as everything heals and settles into place. Our dentist suggested the same saltwater rinse trick, plus gently massaging the gums with a soft toothbrush. It worked wonders after a week or two...though honestly, I think half of it was just him getting used to the new normal. Kids, right?
