Most people don’t like flying for a number of different reasons. Cramped seats, bad food, stale air; there are plenty of reasons to dislike the process! But if you’ve ever flown on an airplane and experienced a serious toothache in-flight, you probably dread flying more than most people.
But what causes a toothache on airplanes? What does it mean? And how can you get relief If you’ve ever flown on an airplane and experienced a toothache? In this article from Olentangy Modern Dental, we’ll give you all the answers you need!
What Causes a Toothache on an Airplane?
The reason you may experience a toothache on an airplane is the same reasons that your ears may “pop” and feel painful while flying. The air in your body is trying to adjust to the change in air pressure caused by your flight as it ascends and descends.
Healthy teeth will not be bothered by toothaches. However, if you have any cavities in your teeth or have had dental work such as fillings, you may have tiny pockets of air in your teeth. As the pressure in the cabin changes, these pockets will try to expand. In turn, this can cause pain and discomfort. Even if your teeth feel fine on the ground, you may experience a toothache while flying.
How Do I Prevent Toothaches on Airplanes?
You can prevent toothaches on airplanes by eliminating air pockets within your teeth. If you have a cavity that’s large enough to cause discomfort while you fly, you need to have it treated with a filling or a crown right away. Once your tooth has been treated properly, air will no longer be able to enter the tooth.
The same is true of dental work. If you are feeling pain in a tooth that has been treated with a filling, this is a sign that the filling is loose and may fail soon. Air should not be able to enter a filled tooth.
If you are getting toothaches on airplanes, this is a sign that you have a decayed tooth or dental work that’s about to fail. See a dentist such as Dr. Amy Gavin at Olentangy Modern Dental right away to get help.
Can I Do Anything to Help With the Pain?
If you’re flying soon and don’t have time to visit a dentist before you take off, you can get some pain relief by taking an over-the-counter medication like ibuprofen. A topical analgesic like Orajel, which numbs the area around your tooth, may also help with your pain and discomfort.
However, this is only a temporary solution, and it will not completely eliminate your pain. A toothache on an airplane is a sign that something is wrong with your teeth, and you need to see a dentist for the proper treatment right away.
Suffering From Toothaches While Flying? Get Treatment Right Away!
At Olentangy Modern Dental, Dr. Amy Gavin can treat decayed teeth as well as failing fillings and dental work, and provide you with the treatment you need to get relief from toothaches while flying.
So don’t wait, and don’t fly in pain ever again. Contact us at (740) 200-5100 to schedule your appointment, or come to our office at 7100 Graphics Way, Suite 3800, Lewis Center, OH 43035 to make your appointment in person.