Flying After a Tooth Extraction: What You Need to Know

Ideally, you’ll want to have important dental work taken care of long before you need to go on any trips. Sadly, life doesn’t always make things convenient; in some cases, you may need to have a tooth extraction performed shortly prior to getting on an airplane. But is it safe to fly after having a tooth removed? Here’s what you need to know so that you can start planning ahead of time.

Why Flying After a Tooth Extraction Is Not Recommended

Unless it’s unavoidable, you shouldn’t fly for at least two days following your tooth extraction. When you fly, changes in altitude and air pressure can potentially cause discomfort; this problem is often worse for people who have recently had a tooth removed.

Regardless of whether you need to travel, it’s generally recommended that you spend at least one or two days resting at home after the tooth extraction process. Doing so will go a long way toward ensuring that your mouth is able to recover without any unnecessary complications.

What If You Do Need to Fly After a Tooth Extraction?

If you’re completely unable to delay your flight, then the best thing you can do is get ready ahead of time so that you can keep your discomfort under control. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Pack your prescription or over-the-counter pain medication in your carry-on luggage so that you can get to it if necessary during the flight.
• Bring a cold compress with you. This will allow you to soothe your discomfort and reduce swelling.
• When eating or drinking on the flight, stick to soft and bland foods. Avoid anything that’s especially hot or cold; it may be a good idea to take a bottle of water with you so that you have something to drink that’s at room temperature.
• If you’re still at the point where you need to change the gauze in your mouth regularly, keep the extra gauze in your carry-on luggage.
• Set aside plenty of time to rest on the plane as well as at your destination.

Simply put, flying after a tooth extraction is not recommended, but if you take the right precautions, you can keep the recovery process on track. If you have any questions or concerns about flying after your procedure, talk to your dentist to see what they recommend for managing your discomfort.

About the Author

Dr. Ryan Weldon went to the Medical College of Georgia for his dental degree. He has been taught by some of the best dentists in the field to perform a variety of advanced oral surgeries and restorative techniques. When a patient has a tooth that is beyond saving, he can extract it to protect their oral health. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Weldon at Weldon Dental of Rome, visit his website or call (706) 232-2082.