Got a toothache and a flight coming up? You may be wondering if it’s okay to fly or if cabin pressure could make things worse.
If the pain is mild, you may still be able to fly without much trouble. An infection or abscess calls for a little more caution if you have swelling, fever, or pain that keeps getting worse.
With that in mind, whether flying is a good idea depends on what is happening with the tooth and how you are feeling before the trip.
Can You Fly With a Toothache?
A mild toothache does not automatically mean your travel plans have to change. If you are dealing with a little sensitivity or occasional discomfort, the flight itself may not pose a problem.
Cabin pressure can make some existing dental problems feel more noticeable, though. A cavity, cracked tooth, loose filling, or inflammation inside a tooth may start to ache more as the plane climbs or descends.
Pay attention to what the tooth is doing before you travel. Pain that is becoming stronger, keeps coming back, wakes you at night, or comes with swelling deserves more attention than a quick twinge of sensitivity. If the tooth has been bothering you for a while, it is worth checking in with your Charlotte dentist before you leave, especially ahead of a long flight or international trip.
Why Can Tooth Pain Feel Worse on a Plane?
The air pressure around us changes as a plane climbs and descends. Your ears are usually where you notice it first, but an unhealthy tooth can sometimes react to those pressure changes too.
There’s even a name for tooth pain triggered by changes in air pressure: barodontalgia. It was once known as “flyer’s toothache,” which is a pretty good description of how it can feel when a problem tooth starts acting up in the air. The pressure change usually isn’t causing a new problem – it may just make an existing one more noticeable. Cavities, cracked teeth, inflammation inside the tooth, and some restorations can all cause this type of pain. Recent dental treatment may also leave a tooth temporarily more sensitive.
If your tooth has bothered you on a flight before, a quick check before your next trip might be a good idea.
Flying With a Tooth Infection Needs a Little More Attention
A slightly sensitive tooth and an infected tooth are not quite the same travel situation. A tooth infection can cause throbbing or persistent pain, swelling around the tooth or face, tenderness, a bad taste in the mouth, drainage, or fever. Some people also feel generally unwell.
If you have these symptoms before a flight, try to get the infection treated before you travel rather than relying on pain medication to get you through. Pain relief may help for a while, but it won’t treat the infection itself. If you’re already being treated, keep any prescribed medication with you in your carry-on and follow the treatment instructions you were given. For a longer trip, it’s also useful to know where you could get dental care at your destination if the pain or swelling gets worse.
If you can’t be seen before you leave and the symptoms are mild, avoid anything that aggravates the tooth, use an over-the-counter pain reliever if you can safely take one, and keep an eye on any changes in pain or swelling. If things are getting worse rather than staying stable, that’s a reason to get care rather than push through the flight.
Swelling that spreads to the face or neck, especially with difficulty breathing or swallowing, requires urgent medical attention.
Can You Fly With an Abscessed Tooth?
A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection. It can form around a tooth or in the gums and may cause pain, swelling, tenderness, fever, or a bad taste in the mouth.
If you are wondering whether you can fly with an abscess, focus on the symptoms rather than whether the pain feels manageable at that moment. Abscess pain can ease temporarily and then return, while the infection itself is still there.
For a trip that is coming up soon, swelling, fever, increasing pain, or other signs of an abscess are good reasons to get the problem treated before you leave. If you have already started treatment, stick with the plan you were given and make sure you have any medication or aftercare supplies you need for the time you will be away.
What About Flying After a Root Canal?
Many people can travel after root canal treatment without any trouble. Some tenderness can be normal while the area settles, so a recently treated tooth does not automatically mean you need to stay grounded.
Worsening pain, new swelling, fever, or a tooth that feels increasingly uncomfortable is a different situation. Those symptoms can signal that the area needs attention before a flight.
You may also have a temporary filling or crown after treatment. Be a little careful with very hard or sticky foods while you are away, and follow the aftercare instructions you were given.
If you are concerned about flying with an infected root canal, it is better to have ongoing symptoms assessed before a long trip rather than hoping they stay quiet until you get home.
Your Flight Is Tomorrow and Your Tooth Hurts. Now What?
Start by paying attention to the type of pain you have. Mild sensitivity is easier to manage than throbbing pain with swelling or fever.
If you can normally take an over-the-counter pain reliever safely, it may help with discomfort for a short time. Follow the directions on the label. Very hot, cold, hard, or sugary foods may also make a sensitive tooth complain more, so choose whatever feels comfortable until you can get it checked.
Keep the area clean and brush gently. If something is caught between the teeth, careful flossing may help. Avoid putting aspirin or another painkiller directly against the tooth or gum, which can irritate the area.
If your symptoms are mild and you are already on your way, having your regular dentist’s contact information saved can be useful if anything changes. If the pain becomes severe or you develop swelling or fever, look for dental care where you are instead of waiting until you get home.
Already Away From Home When the Toothache Starts?
A toothache that shows up halfway through a vacation does not always mean you need emergency treatment. Start with how the tooth feels and whether the symptoms are changing.
For mild discomfort, avoid foods and drinks that trigger the pain and use an appropriate over-the-counter pain reliever if you can normally take one safely. If the pain settles, you can still arrange a dental check when you get home.
If the pain becomes severe, swelling appears, or you develop signs of infection, look for an established dental practice near where you are staying. Hotels and travel insurers can sometimes help you find local care if you are in an unfamiliar place.
If you do receive treatment while traveling, keep any X-rays, treatment notes, prescriptions, and receipts. They can make follow-up much easier once you are back home.
A Pre-Trip Dental Check Can Save You Some Vacation Drama
You do not need a dental appointment every time you book a flight. But if a tooth has already been trying to get your attention, the days before a trip are a good time to deal with it.
That sensitivity you’ve had for a few weeks or a crown that feels a little loose might be worth taking care of before you go. Dealing with it at home is usually easier than finding time for it during your trip. This is especially useful before a longer international trip, when getting back to your regular dental office is not exactly an option.
It is much nicer to board your flight thinking about where you are going than wondering what that tooth is going to do at 30,000 feet.
Tooth Pain Before a Trip? Aspire Dental Wellness Can Help
A tooth that is making you think twice about an upcoming flight is worth checking before you head to the airport. Our team at Aspire Dental Wellness, led by Dr. Bjelac, can take a look and help you figure out what is going on.
Dr. Bjelac and her team take a holistic approach, so care is shaped around your dental needs, health, and what you have coming up, including travel plans. For those looking for a trusted Charlotte dentist in SouthPark, Aspire Dental Wellness can take care of that questionable tooth while you are still close to home. It is a lot nicer to sort it out here than to spend part of your vacation searching for a dental office.
If something doesn’t feel right before your trip, schedule a consultation with Aspire Dental Wellness and have it checked before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flying With Tooth Pain
Yes, it can make an existing dental problem feel more noticeable. Pressure changes during takeoff and landing may trigger pain in a tooth affected by decay, a crack, inflammation, or another underlying issue. Healthy teeth usually are not bothered by flying.
Being on antibiotics does not automatically mean an infection has cleared or that every symptom can be ignored. Pay attention to how you are feeling. Increasing pain, swelling, fever, or feeling unwell may mean the infection still needs attention before travel.
Occasional pain may seem easy to brush off, but a tooth that hurts repeatedly is a reason to take a closer look. This is especially worth doing before a long trip, when getting dental care may be less convenient.
If the pain is manageable, try to stay comfortable until you land. An over-the-counter pain reliever may help if you can normally take it safely. Avoid anything very hot or cold if it makes the tooth more sensitive. If the pain is severe or continues after landing, arrange dental care at your destination.
That depends on the treatment and how you are recovering. Some procedures have little effect on travel plans, while oral surgery or treatment for an active infection may require more recovery time. Follow the aftercare instructions you were given and take any recommended timing restrictions seriously.
