Although your dentist typically does everything they can to protect your natural teeth, some instances require extraction to preserve your dental health. If you have a tooth that’s severely decayed or damaged or is pushing other teeth out of alignment, removing it can fix the problem.
If you travel frequently, however, you might wonder how your procedure might impact your next trip. Is it safe to fly once you’ve had a tooth pulled? Continue reading to learn 3 tips that can safeguard your smile if you know you’ll need to hop on a plane soon after your tooth extraction.
Tip #1: Wait 48 Hours
Have you ever felt sinus pressure, headaches, or popping in your ears during a takeoff? The suddenly altered altitude leads to an imbalance in the air pressure between the cabin, the outside, and your inner ears. Unfortunately, if you’ve just had a tooth extracted, these shifts can increase your risk of developing a painful complication known as dry socket.
Once your pearly white has been pulled, your mouth must form a blood clot over the underlying bone tissue and nerves. Changes in pressure can dislodge it, exposing these sensitive materials to germs, food particles, and other potential causes of infection. That’s why your dentist recommends that you wait at least 48 hours after your appointment before getting on a plane.
Tip #2: Be Prepared
It’s normal to experience mild aches and inflammation after having a tooth removed, and if you know you’re going to be on the go, it’s a good idea to take what you need with you. Why not put together a special dental kit that has all the basics? You might want to keep it in your carry-on baggage, so if you have a problem while you’re in the air or waiting for a connection flight, you won’t have to wait for relief.
Some helpful items to have include:
- Gauze. If the extraction site starts to ooze or bleed, you can bite down firmly on folded gauze to slow the flow.
- Pain relievers. It’s usually safe to take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or Tylenol to alleviate any discomfort.
- Resealable baggies. If you develop a toothache, you can ask the flight attendant for ice to put into a sealable bag to hold against your face for a temporary numbing sensation.
- Numbing gel. Take a small tube of a topical analgesic, like Orajel, that you can apply to the surgical site if it feels irritated.
Tip #3: Carry A Water Bottle
There’s no guarantee that you’ll have access to room-temperature water in the airport or on your flight, so it’s best to keep bottled water with you. Drinking anything overly hot or cold can damage the blood clot that must form at the extraction site and should be avoided. It’s a good idea to carry water with you, instead, so that you can stay hydrated without developing any complications.
Taking these few precautions helps ensure that you’ll have a successful flight if you’ve recently had a troublesome tooth removed!
About the Author
Dr. Jason Daaboul has 20+ years of experience helping people enhance their lives by improving their dental health. He first graduated from Texas A&M University and then earned his dental degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School. Now, he continues his learning through Spear Education and is a trusted member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association. He combines state-of-the-art equipment with a friendly approach to help patients feel relaxed while providing top-of-the-line treatments. If you have a problematic tooth that may need extraction, you can request an appointment on the website or call (817) 646-7306.