Air Travel Can Be Risky After Tooth Extraction; Here’s How to Stay Comfortable

While everyone would rather avoid tooth loss if possible, extractions are sometimes necessary to preserve patients’ oral health. Modern tooth removal procedures are rendered completely painless by anesthetics and sedation treatments, but you’ll need to strictly adhere to your dentist’s aftercare instructions to keep your recovery process smooth and complication-free. Here’s a brief guide to what you should know about traveling by air after extraction and how you can stay comfortable.

How Can I Stay Comfortable After Tooth Extraction?

Your dentist will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure that your mouth heals properly after tooth extraction. These will probably include:

• Resting for twenty-four to forty-eight hours after surgery. It’s best to avoid all intense physical activity since it will divert blood from the healing tissues.
• Abstaining from spitting or drinking through a straw since the pressure shifts these activities cause can break the clot forming over the surgical wound, resulting in a painful condition called dry socket.
• Sticking to a soft, mild diet that is easy to chew and not likely to irritate the surgical site.
• Rinsing with a solution of salt and water regularly.

How Can Aviation Interfere with the Healing Process After Extraction?

Air travel can lead to changes in elevation and air pressure that can be stressful for your healing soft tissues and potentially lead to bleeding, discomfort, and dry socket, and the cramped cabins on many airliners can also make it difficult to comply with your dentist’s hygiene instructions. While it’s ideal to wait for at least two days after your extraction before boarding a plane, you can minimize your risk of complications during air travel by sticking to the following guidelines:

• Bring a cold compress on the plane.
• Bring clean gauze and change it according to your dentist’s instructions.
• Fill all prescriptions before your trip and keep your medicine in your carry-on bag.
• Take a bottle of water on the plane so you can stay hydrated.
• Stick to soft, bland foods while flying to avoid harming your soft tissues.
• Get as much rest as possible while flying and after you arrive at your destination.

Following your dentist’s aftercare instructions is the best way to prevent complications after tooth extraction. While flying too soon after the procedure is not ideal, there are ways to maximize your comfort and minimize the associated risks.

About the Author

Dr. Alireza Modarres earned his dental degree at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and completed his General Practice Residency at Lehigh Valley Hospital. He specializes in periodontics, and his office in Ellicott City offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as extraction services. To learn more about extraction aftercare, contact his office online or dial (410) 465-3224.