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Effects of Altitude on Teeth

Ears and sinuses are not the only areas of the body affected by changes in altitude. Ascents and descents can lead to painful toothaches, as many pilots can attest. Much like scuba divers must contend with "the bends," a condition caused when rapid changes in pressure cause gas buildup in the bloodstream, pockets of gas can build up in the teeth, causing pain and occasionally damage.

  1. Cause

    • Known as barodontalgia, altitude-induced tooth pain is caused by pockets of gas that occur in deep tooth crevices, such as fillings, or in areas of infection or inflammation. Changes in barometric pressure can cause the gas to expand, putting pressure on the tooth and any dental work in the area. Unlike the tissue that lines the intestines or ear canal, teeth are unable to expand to accommodate the growing gas.

    Symptoms

    • Barodontalgia usually manifests itself as a feeling of uncomfortable pressure or sharp, stabbing pain. You may notice your teeth suddenly become sensitive or sore while flying, diving or hiking at a high elevation, particularly around areas of the mouth with fillings, caps, crowns, root canals or veneers. People who experience symptoms of sinusitis may be more likely to suffer from pressure-induced teeth pain.

    Complications

    • Left untreated, barondontalgia can have serious effects. The pain can be so debilitating that it could become a flight safety hazard for pilots. Besides unbearable tooth pain, the pressure can sometimes be severe enough to damage dental work --- for instance, by popping off a crown or cap. In rare cases, it can even rupture the alveolar mucosa, the tissue lining the bone of the oral cavity.

    Prevention

    • Though there is no treatment for barodontalgia, people who frequently experience changes in altitude -- such as pilots, submariners and divers -- can lower their risk by taking exceptionally good care of their teeth. This can reduce the need for fillings and other dental work. Those who have received recent dental work may wish to postpone flights or trips to the mountains until inflammation from surgery has subsided. According to the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association, one benefit of barodontalgia is that its presence can help dentists identify early signs of tooth decay or abnormalities in a patient.

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