toothache

[dee2912]

Hi, i have had really bad toothaches for about 5 years now but only when i fly, my dentist is trying to replace my fillings incase they are having a reaction with other fillings in my teeth, when the cabin pressure builds up the pain is unbearable if i were to take oxygen gas would the pain stop i am going on my honeymoon soon i really dont think i can fly the pain really scares the hell out of me please help!

[Prudie]

Have you been to a GP about this too? Any chance it could be sinus related? I get really bad toothache when my sinuses are blocked as if something is pushing them down from the roots. The cabin pressure could trigger this off.

[boxtops]

Are you sure it's toothache and not your sinuses? Not being funny but by OH suffered terrible facial pains at one time when he flew, and it was discovered that his facial sinuses were blocked - he had a small operation and has been 100% fine ever since. The sinuses underneath your eyes are quite close to the top teeth - could that be connected.
I don't want to cast aspersions on your dentist but what have fillings got to with it? The pressure in the cabin affects cavities in the head (i.e. sinuses) - if I was being cynical I could say that fillings earn your dentist money but might not cure your problem.
As your GP for a referral to an ENT consultant, or go privately as a one-off if the NHS wait is long.
Does the sinus thing sound possible - where does the pain occur?
OH said his was unbearable, he was in acute pain over about 4000 ft.

[boxtops]

snap, Prudie!

[rachael88]

thats well strange

[Prudie]

well boxy that suggests we might be on to something!

[midagetrolop]

I suffer from pain too when I fly and have been told by doc and dentist, as I have nothing wrong with my teeth, it is my sinuses,caused by difference in pressure.

[boxtops]

has the GP suggested you can do anything about it, midage? My OH had a tiny tube blocked which meant that the pressure couldn't equalise in his head when the pressure changed outside - the surgeon cleared the tube and prescribed a nasal spray, that's five years ago and (touch wood) he's not experienced it since.

[dee2912]

Hi thanks for your answers i havent went to any gp or specialist but at first my dentist did think it could be sinus related so she gave me medication but when i flew i still got it so i just ruled it out maybe it would be worth visiting gp, my pain is honestly unbearable i turn into a different person the throb is unreal, i have a stag doo in spain in 3 weeks and my honeymoon in america in7 weeks and i am really considering not going to the stag in spain and staying in uk for my honeymoon and ovbiously my other half isnt happy as you could imagine.

[237SJ]

If you have recently had a filling you may get pain when you fly which is why there are limits on flying after dental work. If there is a small air pocket under the filling it will expand at altitude and cause pain but only in the immediate aftermath of the treatment. It`s extremely unlikely to be your teeth that cause pain. As mentioned, sinus pain can radiate into the jaw as can blocked eustachian tubes. Take a pain killer, something to sniff like Olbas oil in boiling water and most of all a good decongestant like Sudafed. Take the Sudafed about an hour before landing because it`s always worse on descent

[boxtops]

Dee, your second post makes me wonder whether we are right about the origin of the pain. It won't be a quick fix though - and a flight to the US is going to be agonising (and not much fund for your new husband if you are laid out with pain all through the flight, then worrying about the flight back all through your honeymoon). I am wondering if your travel insurance would cover you if you are diagnosed with sinus problems before you go (being as you wouldn't have declared it when you took it out, because you were unaware of it). Worth exploring but your doctor would have to confirm the diagnosis. Meanwhile don't let your dentist mess with your fillings until you have a proper diagnosis of what is the matter with you - no need for that expense if it is actually your sinuses. See your GP a.s.a.p. and ask to see a specialist. If you need pain control your GP is the best person to prescribe it.

[boxtops]

^ oops - new wife, sorry - I am writing from the female perspective. My OH is a bloke by the way so I have seen the way that this pain affects a usually uncomplaining man, I know you are not exaggerating.

[midagetrolop]

dee2912 my pain is obviously not as bad as yours and is intermittent. When it comes though it makes me squirm a bit, but last for seconds I wouldn't want it to last any longer. Go to your GP.

[Sqad]

I hate to disagree with your doctor, but it doesn't sound like a sinus problem to me.

I agree with your dentist, in that the pain is of dental origin.

However X-Rays of his sinuses will soon settle the issue, one way or another.