Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, the flight is typically not the most enjoyable part of the journey. Among the many discomforts of plane travel, you may have found that you also experience tooth pain. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to make your journey more bearable. If you experience tooth pain while flying, talk to your dentist and use the guide below to find relief. 

What to Know About In-Flight Toothaches 

Why Flying Can Cause Toothaches

Toothaches occur on airplanes as your body attempts to adjust to the changing air pressure in the cabin with the changing altitude. This is why your teeth are particularly likely to hurt during the plane’s ascent and descent. Pain doesn’t usually occur in healthy teeth. However, if you have issues such as a cavity, missing or loose fillings, or receding gums, small air pockets can develop in these areas and cause pain. Sinus pressure – whether from an infection, allergies, cold, or flu – can also cause toothaches. In this case, you’ll likely feel pain in your upper back teeth near the jaw. Although discomfort can heighten your awareness of such issues, flying won’t exacerbate them. 

How to Prevent Pain

If you experience pain when flying, schedule an appointment with your dentist before your next flight to determine the source of your pain and treat it. They may need to fill a cavity, replace a filling, or recommend a desensitizing toothpaste if your sensitivity is a result of weakened enamel. You should also avoid hot or cold beverages and foods, as these exacerbate sensitivity, and drink room-temperature water instead. If you experience pain while in flight, you may request an ice pack from the flight attendant and apply it to the side of your face where it hurts most. Ice can numb the area temporarily and reduce swelling. Over-the-counter painkillers can also provide relief. 

Fly in comfort by visiting your dentist before your next journey. Anchorage, AK, residents turn to Anchorage Dental Center for complete dental care. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, this family dentist provides a broad range of services from teeth cleaning to root canals and gum disease treatment. Call (907) 278-2521 to schedule an appointment or visit the website to learn more about how they’ll help your family.