February 9 is National Toothache Day, and it’s an ideal time to bring awareness to an issue that many people experience but often don't discuss: why do people develop toothaches on flights? If you developed a toothache when flying in an airplane, below are some important things a dental office wants you to know about this phenomenon.

What Causes Toothaches on a Flight?

The main cause of all toothaches on airplanes is air pressure. The air pressure inside the body is constantly trying to adjust to the fluctuating air pressure in the cabin of the plane. If you have tooth decay, air can enter those teeth via tiny, microscopic openings that then trap the air inside. Because those openings are so small, they are unable to adjust to the changing air pressure inside a cabin, and a toothache is the natural result. It’s the same principle with fillings, crowns, and other types of dental work: air trapped inside cannot equalize, pressure builds up, and pain develops.

A toothache on an airplane might also stem from the sinuses. This type of pain mainly affects the upper back teeth. The air pressure accumulated in the sinuses puts pressure on the nerves around the jaw, and the discomfort is felt in the nearby teeth.

How Can I Manage This? 

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to manage an air travel toothache. If pain develops before your appointed travel dates, visit your dental office for an exam. Your dentist will see if there are any structural problems with the teeth that need to be addressed and remedied. If the pain arises during a flight, avoid hot or cold drinks to reduce sensitivity in the mouth. Ask a member of the cabin crew for a cold compress or ice pack and apply it to your cheek near the affected area, alternating 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. This will help numb the pain until you can land and get to a dental office for an evaluation.

A toothache while flying should never be ignored. Visiting a dentist as soon as possible is always the best course of action. The dental office of John D. Mainwaring DDS serves patients throughout New Haven County, CT. They offer a full range of general and cosmetic dentistry procedures and will identify and treat the underlying cause of your toothache pain. To schedule an appointment, call them at (203) 799-6625 or visit their website to see a list of services.