Can you fly if you have tooth decay? A quick guide to avoiding toothache during a flight

En este artículo

1. Key points
2. Tooth decay, aeroplanes and toothache
3. Can you fly if you have tooth decay?
4. Why can toothache be more painful on a plane? (changes in pressure)
5. High-risk situations: when you should seek advice before flying
6. Travelling by plane with tooth decay: what to do before your flight
7. What to do during a flight if you get a toothache
8. Is it safe to fly after dental surgery for tooth decay?
9. How to prevent dental problems when flying: advice from Udemax Clinics (Mallorca)
10. When to see a dentist urgently after a flight
11. Frequently asked questions about travelling by plane with tooth decay

Key points

• Yes, you can fly if you have tooth decay, but changes in cabin pressure during take-off and landing can cause severe toothache, especially if the decay is deep or there is inflammation.
• Tooth decay and faulty fillings are a common cause of barodontalgia (toothache caused by pressure): between 3 per cent and 6 per cent of people may experience this problem during a flight.
• Ideally, you should visit the dentist and have any tooth decay treated before your trip. At Udemax Clinics (Mallorca), you can book a quick assessment with a free initial consultation.
• If you can’t postpone your flight, there are ways to minimise discomfort: painkillers, avoiding hot or cold drinks, staying well hydrated and chewing sugar-free chewing gum.
• In the event of an active infection, bleeding, recent dental surgery or significant inflammation, it should always be the dentist who decides whether it is safe to fly.

Tooth decay, aeroplanes and toothache

Planning a holiday involves thinking about lots of things, but few people consider the condition of their teeth before boarding a plane. If you have a tooth with a cavity and an upcoming flight, it’s normal to wonder whether anything could go wrong at an altitude of thousands of metres. At Clínicas Udemax, with three clinics in Palma de Mallorca, we’re frequently asked this question, particularly during the peak tourist season. The problem isn’t the aeroplane itself, but how changes in atmospheric pressure can turn a minor discomfort into pain that’s hard to bear. The good news is that you can fly with a cavity in most circumstances, but there are situations where it’s best to have it treated beforehand or to postpone your trip.

Can you fly if you have tooth decay?

In most cases, it is possible to fly with tooth decay, although this increases the risk of toothache during the journey. Tooth decay creates a ‘path’ through the enamel and dentine into the interior of the tooth, creating a space where air becomes trapped. When cabin pressure changes, this air trapped inside the tooth can expand and cause pain by putting pressure on the nerves. Small cavities without inflammation tend to cause fewer problems than deep ones or those that are already painful on the ground. However, flying with an untreated dental infection can significantly intensify the pain. If you are experiencing spontaneous pain, visible swelling or a fever, the advice from our dental experts is clear: seek dental care before boarding. At Udemax Clinics, we assess each case to determine whether air travel is safe or should be postponed.

Why can toothache be more painful on a plane? (changes in pressure)

During take-off and landing, the pressure inside the cabin varies significantly. On commercial flights, cabin pressure is maintained at the equivalent of an altitude of 1,800–2,400 metres, well below the pressure you experience at ground level. Changes in atmospheric pressure can cause barodontalgia, a condition in which air trapped in cavities, fillings or root canals expands and puts pressure on the dental nerve. Pressure changes cause dental barotrauma during flight, and barotrauma is more common in damaged or sensitive teeth.

Toothache may intensify during ascent and descent, manifesting as a sudden, sharp pain or a ‘throbbing’ sensation in the head and the affected tooth. According to a review published in PubMed, faulty restorations and caries without pulp involvement account for approximately 29.2 per cent of cases of barodontalgia, followed by pulp necrosis (27.8 per cent). It is not only tooth decay that poses a risk: faulty fillings, incomplete root canal treatment, abscesses and even congestion of the maxillary sinuses can exacerbate the discomfort.

High-risk situations: when you should seek advice before flying

Not all dental conditions pose the same risk. Here are the situations in which you should book an appointment with your dentist before flying:

• Deep cavities causing spontaneous pain or severe sensitivity to cold, heat or sweet foods.
• Exposed tooth roots, incomplete root canal treatments, temporary fillings or newly fitted crowns.
• Active infection, abscess, gum inflammation or fever: changes in pressure can affect recent dental treatment and exacerbate infections.
• Recent dental surgery: extractions, implants or gum procedures. Changes in pressure may cause pain in treated teeth, further complications or bleeding.
• History of barodontalgia: if you have experienced pain on previous flights, there is a high likelihood of it happening again.

If your trip to or from Mallorca is just around the corner and you have any concerns, book a quick appointment at Clínicas Udemax in Palma. The final step before boarding should be to check that your mouth is in good enough condition to cope with the flight.

Travelling by plane with tooth decay: what to do before your flight

These practical tips can make the difference between a peaceful flight and hours of misery:

• Book a dental check-up at least 1–2 weeks before your trip so that any cavities or faulty fillings can be treated in good time. It is advisable to see your dentist before travelling if you are experiencing any discomfort.
• If the flight is imminent, the dentist can carry out emergency treatment: cleaning out the cavity, administering medication, fitting a temporary filling or prescribing appropriate medication.
• Ask which painkillers or anti-inflammatories to take, and in what dose, in the event of pain during the journey.
• If there are signs of infection and you are taking antibiotics, do not stop the treatment because of your trip under any circumstances.
• Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing, flossing and using mouthwash, especially in the days leading up to your flight.

At Udemax Clinics, we offer a free initial consultation and a specific assessment if the patient is due to fly soon. You can request a no-obligation quote.

What to do during a flight if you get a toothache

If, despite taking precautions, you experience pain whilst flying, these tips may help:

• Take the painkiller recommended by your dentist about 30–40 minutes before take-off if you think you might experience discomfort. It is advisable to carry over-the-counter painkillers with you on the flight as a backup.
• Avoiding cold or hot foods and drinks may help. No ice-cold soft drinks, very hot coffee, alcohol, or sugary or acidic foods and drinks.
• Swallowing, yawning or chewing sugar-free chewing gum can help equalise the pressure on your teeth during the flight. Chewing gum is a simple and effective remedy.
• Staying hydrated during a flight is advisable for dental health: drink water regularly, as a dry mouth can aggravate nerve irritation.
• Avoid sleeping in positions that put pressure on the painful area of your face.
• You can ask the crew for basic painkillers, but this is no substitute for a dental check-up when you return home.

Is it safe to fly after dental surgery for tooth decay?

It depends on the type of procedure. In most cases, it is safe to fly 24–48 hours after dental surgery, but it is worth making a distinction:

Procedure	Recommended time before flying
Fillings or restorations	On the same day or the following day, unless there is pain
Simple extractions	Simple extractions allow you to fly within 24 hours
Wisdom teeth or complex extractions	48–72 hours, at the doctor’s discretion
Dental implants	Dental implants require 48–72 hours before flying
Periodontal or sinus surgery	As instructed by the surgeon

After a tooth extraction, drinking too soon can dislodge the blood clot and lead to dry socket. It is recommended that you avoid hot or cold drinks following dental treatment, as well as anything that increases pressure in the mouth (straws, smoking). The professional who carried out the surgery – for example, the specialists in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Clínicas Udemax – is best placed to advise you based on your specific case.

How to prevent dental problems when flying: advice from Udemax Clinics (Mallorca)

The best way to avoid complications whilst flying is through prevention on the ground. At Clínicas Udemax, we are committed to a preventative approach, drawing on over 40 years’ experience of caring for residents and travellers in the Balearic Islands:

• A programme of check-ups every 6–12 months to detect small cavities before they cause problems at an altitude of 10,000 metres.
• Maintain a thorough oral hygiene routine: brush with fluoride toothpaste, floss and use mouthwash, especially before travelling.
• Plan complex procedures (implants, orthodontics, surgery) so that they do not coincide with long flights wherever possible.
• Book an appointment online or by telephone (opening hours: 8.30 am–8.00 pm). For emergencies outside these hours, please call 607 833 629.

Reading this article could save you a lot of trouble, but nothing can replace a face-to-face assessment by a professional.

When to see a dentist urgently after a flight

Sometimes the pain doesn’t stop once you’ve landed. Seek urgent medical attention if, after your return, you experience:

• Very severe toothache that does not subside with standard painkillers after several hours on land.
• Swelling of the face or gums, a fever, a bad taste in the mouth or discharge: signs of a possible infection requiring antibiotics and immediate treatment.
• Difficulty opening the mouth, swallowing or speaking.
• Persistent bleeding following a recent tooth extraction.

In Mallorca, Clínicas Udemax offers an emergency service and a free initial consultation so that you can receive treatment without delay.

Frequently asked questions about travelling by plane with tooth decay