Why Your Teeth May Hurt When You Fly

Have you ever experienced a sudden, sharp toothache while cruising at 35,000 feet? While it might seem strange, dental pain during air travel is a documented phenomenon known as barodontalgia. As planes ascend or descend, the atmospheric pressure inside the aircraft cabin fluctuates rapidly, which can impact the human body in various ways.

The primary culprit behind in-flight tooth pain is trapped air. If you have a small, undetected cavity, a faulty filling, a cracked tooth, or an ongoing sinus infection, tiny pockets of air can become trapped inside the tooth or surrounding dental structures. As cabin pressure changes, this trapped air expands or contracts, putting pressure on nerve endings and causing sudden discomfort or sharp pain.

Additionally, the environment inside an airplane cabin is notoriously dry. Low humidity levels can lead to dry mouth, reducing the protective flow of saliva. Without adequate saliva, teeth are more vulnerable to sensitivity and irritation, especially if you are already dealing with gum sensitivity or exposed roots.

Stress and anxiety associated with flying can also manifest physically. Many passengers unconsciously clench their jaws or grind their teeth during takeoff and landing, leading to sore jaw muscles and aching teeth by the time they land.

To prevent in-flight dental pain, dental professionals recommend maintaining regular check-ups to catch and treat cavities or failing restorations before booking a flight. Chewing sugar-free gum during ascent and descent can also help equalize pressure in the head and jaw. For more details on this phenomenon, read the original report on Daily Monitor.