What Causes Tooth Pain during Flight? Understanding the Science behind It

Air travel can be fun, whether you are flying to a dream place or visiting loved ones. However, for some people, the journey comes with some discomfort that is tooth pain mid-flight. Moreover, what causes tooth pain during flight is a common question, and the answer is more scientific than you think. Changes in the cabin pressure, hidden dental issues, or past dental treatments can be the cause. Therefore, if you have ever experienced this, you’ll know it can turn a fun trip into an uncomfortable one in no time.

If you feel like a dental issue could be the cause of your in flight pain, getting a check up with an expert at Universal Smiles Dental is important. Furthermore, dealing with the problem before your next flight can save you a lot of mid air discomfort.

What Causes Tooth Pain During Flight? The Key Reasons Explained

Many people think tooth pain is fully related to cavities or sensitivity to hot and cold food. However, what causes tooth pain during flight is usually caused by air pressure changes in the cabin. Moreover, it is a condition known as barodontalgia. This happens when pockets of air trapped inside your teeth or dental work expand or contract due to the pressure change. The feeling can be mild discomfort or serious, sharp pain.

Alternatively, if you have a history of dental issues, you can feel this more easily. This is why seeing a trusted dental expert from Universal Smiles Dental is necessary. Moreover, for travellers living near the airport, having a reliable dentist in South Beveridge means you can handle the source of the issue before the travel starts.

The Science of Barodontalgia

Barodontalgia is the medical term for pressure caused tooth pain. Moreover, it happens when there is a trapped air pocket inside a tooth due to decay, old fillings, or dental infections. The reason for what causes tooth pain during flight is the air pressure in the cabin decreases as the plane goes up and increases as it comes down. This leads to the trapped air to press against the nerve endings inside the tooth and result in pain. Therefore, pilots and regular flyers are usually an easy target to barodontalgia. In some cases, the pain goes away when the pressure gets normal. However, in other cases, it stays long after the flight has landed.

Common Dental Issues That Cause In Flight Tooth Pain

Although cabin pressure changes are the main reason, they usually work with existing dental problems, making symptoms bad. Therefore, here we have listed some common dental issues that cause pain during a flight:

1. Untreated Cavities
2. Cracked or chipped teeth
3. Old or loose dental implants
4. Dental infections or abscesses
5. A recent dental procedure

When to See a Dentist Before Flying?

If you have experienced and thought about what causes tooth pain during flight, it is important to see an expert dentist in South Morang before your next trip. Moreover, remember that prevention is always better than dealing with severe pain mid-flight. People who travel regularly can benefit from having a local clinic to rely on. Tooth pain during flights can easily be avoided with the right preparation and preventive care. For example, a dentist in Donnybrook at Universal Smiles Dental will help ensure your oral health is in the best shape before you take off. This includes getting a dental check-up before travelling as one of the most reliable steps. Furthermore, it allows your dentist to identify hidden cavities, cracks, or infections that could cause pain during flight.

Alternatively, completing any necessary dental work at least two weeks before your flight gives your teeth enough time to heal and adjust. Moreover, maintaining proper oral hygiene like brushing twice daily and flossing will keep your teeth strong. Staying hydrated throughout the flight is equally important. Since a dry mouth can increase the discomfort. Furthermore, it is also better to avoid very cold or hot drinks. This is true since temperature changes can cause pain for sensitive teeth. However, if you still do feel discomfort during a flight, you can try pressing gently on the area with your tongue or finger. Additionally, you can take an over the counter pain relief medication. Also avoid chewing from the affected side, and sitting upright to decrease pressure in your head and mouth. These steps can offer temporary relief until you can see your dentist.

Conclusion: Why You Should Address In Flight Tooth Pain Early

While it might be easy to ignore what causes tooth pain during flight especially if it goes away after landing, this is usually a sign of a serious issue. Cavities can get bad, cracks may worsen, and infections can spread if left untreated. Therefore, leading to more difficult and expensive dental work. Moreover, addressing these problems before your next trip is important for both comfort and long term oral health.

At Universal Smiles Dental, we specialize in identifying and treating the causes of barodontalgia. Making sure that you can travel without the fear of mid flight pain. Alternatively, at Universal Smiles Dental our services range from preventive care, such as check ups and cleanings, to restorative procedures like fillings, crowns, and root canals. We focus on offering on time, effective solutions so you can enjoy your journey with peace of mind. Therefore, remember that your teeth deserve the same travel readiness as your luggage. By taking expert measures now, you can avoid dental emergencies in the future. Also you can maintain a healthy, confident smile wherever your plan takes you.