The life we live in is full of unexpected situations, and we have to make good of what we have to solve the situation at hand. A toothache can be considered a very unfortunate situation to have, especially on an airplane.
What causes toothache on an airplane
For those of us who have experienced a toothache we know how uncomfortable and unpleasant it can be, but why do they happen specifically on planes?
The toothache on planes is caused by air pressure. Let us have a little physics crash course to understand better what air pressure does to our teeth;
Source: Doctors’ Circle World’s Largest Health Plat
Air pressure is the force exerted on a surface by the air above it as gravity pulls it to the Earth. Now, the airplane flies over 30,000 – 40,000 feet, and the air is too thin for us to breathe. Due to this, the cabins on the planes are pressurized. The air on the airplane gets extremely pressurized at the height of 6000 – 8000 feet.
This means that the air in the plane is quite thinner than the air at sea level. So, while the plane ascends and descends, your ears, which have a device for balance, try to equalize the air pressure pressing against it. Thereby giving you a kind of ‘pop’ sound.
This can also be said for the tooth; trapped air pressures the tooth, which causes pain and discomfort. Hence, the toothaches you feel on planes.
How to stop toothache on a plane
l Take over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen, naproxen, paracetamol and the rest.
l A topical analgesic like Orajel numbs the area around your tooth and should help with your pain and discomfort.
l Medicine like aspirin or acetaminophen also helps in numbing the pain.
Note that all the medicines listed above are only short-term treatments; they do not cure toothache. They only relieve you of the pain momentarily. If your toothache should persist after these suggestions, you should see a doctor.
How to prevent toothache on a plane
The best way to avoid occurrences like this is to eliminate air pockets in your teeth. If the cavity in your teeth is big enough to hold air, there will be discomfort while flying.
Though it may not be conventional or the norm, seeing the dentist before your flight will help prevent cases of toothaches on planes.
Filling up the pockets in your teeth, which could occur due to cavities and other ailments, is the best preventive method. Once your tooth has been filled, there is a huge probability that you may not experience a toothache. However, anomalies do occur.
Health is wealth. It is important always to see the dentist regularly if we are flying in other to make sure that discomfort like these are eliminated.
Getting a toothache on the plane means there is something wrong with your tooth, and you should visit the dentist as soon as you can.
Disclaimer: This article was not written by a health professional. Therefore, the content should not be taken as medical advice. If you are experiencing any of the conditions mentioned in this article, please visit the nearest hospital
