Flying with a Toothache: What You Need to Know
If you’ve ever felt a sharp “zing” in your teeth while the plane is climbing, you’ve experienced Barodontalgia. In simple terms, it’s a toothache caused by changes in air pressure.
Why it Happens
Think of your tooth like a tiny pressurized cabin. If there is any trapped air inside your tooth, it will expand as the plane goes higher. Since your tooth is hard and cannot stretch, that expanding air pushes directly on your nerves.
Common Culprits:
* Hidden Cavities: Small holes allow air to sneak in.
* Old Fillings: Gaps or cracks under old dental work.
* Recent Surgery: Air pockets left over from a recent root canal or extraction.
Quick Tips for a Pain-Free Flight
* The 24-Hour Rule: Avoid flying for at least 24 hours after a dental procedure (like a filling) and 48 hours after oral surgery.
* Watch the Sinuses: If your top teeth hurt during landing, it might be sinus pressure. A simple decongestant can often help clear the blockage.
* See a Dentist: If you feel pain in the air but it disappears on the ground, you likely have a “leaky” filling or a new cavity that needs a quick fix.
MBH/AB