Tooth extraction procedures can cause pain and discomfort for up to 24 to 48 hours following surgery. Depending on your level of pain tolerance, your dental professional may prescribe bed rest or refraining from strenuous physical activity for the time being for a smooth recovery. However, if flying after tooth extraction is non-negotiable, you should be aware of the risks and plan accordingly. Looking for a periodontist in Sugar Land, TX? Contact Dr. Dyer today.
What Are The Risks of Flying After Tooth Extraction?
At some point in their lives, most people will get one or more of their teeth removed for several reasons, e.g., tooth cavities, decay, or infection. The first few days after tooth extraction can be uncomfortable. Many patients experience side effects, such as swollen or tender gums, redness around the surgical site, and slight fever or chills.
If you plan to fly anytime within 48 hours of your tooth extraction appointment, be sure to speak to your dental professional about dealing with the pain. Changes in altitude and cabin pressure as well as constant vibrations of airplanes can increase the pain and discomfort in the gums and jaws of patients who have recently had a tooth extraction. Flying immediately after having a tooth pulled can also increase the risk of having a dry socket. A dry socket is a painful condition where the blood clot at the extraction site fails to develop and dislodges from the gum.
Flying After Tooth Extraction: What To Do Before And During Your Trip
Planning for any contingencies is the best way to ensure that flying after tooth extraction is as comfortable as possible. Packing your dentist-prescribed OTC pain medication before a flight can help ease pain in your gums and jaws during a flight. You can take your medication before getting on your flight to allow some time for the effect to kick in. Also, avoid brushing your teeth within the first 24 hours following tooth extraction and carry extra gauze if you’d need to change it during the flight (you can do this in the aircraft lavatory).
Placing ice on the cheeks as a cold compress may help to reduce swelling and pain in the mouth after tooth extraction. Ask a flight attendant for a pack to use during the flight. Also, avoid eating crunchy (hard) foods or drinking hot and cold drinks during your trip. Instead, opt for softer and easy-to-chew foods, such as yogurt, smoothies, or Jell-O at a moderate temperature. If you need to rinse your mouth during the flight, gargle some lukewarm salt water and spit it out gently.
Keep Your Dental Health in Tip-Top Shape With Dr. Bret!
The decision to have a tooth extraction can be unsettling. That’s why Dr. Bret Dyer and his team at Fort Bend Periodontics and Implantology in Sugar Land aim to minimize extraction pain as effectively as possible and eliminate any underlying infection for faster recovery. Dr. Dyer offers the best treatment options and flexible payment plans to suit your needs and budget. For more information about our dental services or to schedule an appointment, please call us at (281) 980-2344.
