In our fast and busy life, it’s hard to manage oral health visits and schedules appointment. However, it may lead to more dental complications, and sometimes the dental extraction becomes inevitable. People may wonder if they can get dental extractions right before flying or if they have to postpone all of their commitments for a dental extraction.

The answer is quite simple, it is important that you spend the first 24-48 hours after your tooth extraction resting and allowing your mouth to begin the healing process. No matter if you had a simple extraction or surgical one, the recovery process is the same. During that period, your recovery should be the most important priority and the risk of dry socket — a dislodged clot — is at its highest. Certain instructions that will be provided by your dentist should be followed carefully to ensure smooth recovery.

Tooth extraction is a surgical procedure to remove the unrestored tooth. Different people handle differently the post-extraction symptoms. Usually, the next 2 days following the dental extraction procedure are the most painful and can often leave people in bed or missing work.   Others can bounce back from it and barely be bothered afterwards. This varying degree of pain often comes from a person’s natural level of pain tolerance known as “pain threshold”. If you are planning to fly after your tooth extraction and you know that you are a person with low pain threshold and your teeth are often touch when it comes to painful procedure, it is best to wait at least 48 hours before boarding a plane to avoid any possible unpleasant and uncomfortable experience that might associated with the dramatic changes in altitude and air pressure while flying.

Is there any danger in flying after extraction?

Following tooth extraction most dentists recommend to avoid any stannous physical activities and exercising for the next few day. However, if flying is inevitable and there is no way you can delay the flight, it’s extremely important to make sure to take added precautions to minimize the potential for problems.

Every person has a unique flying experience. Some people are at ease and enjoy the journey, while others are nauseous or uncomfortable. Similarly, after the extraction you might feel some pain, eating difficulty, or uncomfortable speaking. The same situation might be exacerbated if you have surgical extraction or extraction of wisdom teeth. Flying at a high altitude changes the air pressure, and you can feel discomfort or pain on the extraction site. You should consult with your dentist before booking an airline ticket.

Be prepared!

If flying just after your tooth extraction is necessary you should plan a head of time and be prepared. Carrying a dental kit for emergencies is quite important to assure a save and comfortable trip. Among many suggestions for ideal Dental kit, the following seems to be fundamental items that you don’t want to miss.

• Pain killers: It’s normal to feel minor pain and discomfort within 2 days after tooth extraction. But if flying makes your pain intense and severe you have to carry painkillers or pain relief medicines. If you are high blood pressure, have diabetes, or have any systemic disease asked your dentist for suitable pain medicine.
• Prescribed medication: There are some chances of swelling and edema after 24 hours at the extraction site. Your doctor might advise the corticosteroid or other medicine to subside the edema. Take your prescribed medicine in the dental kit.
• Gauze pack. Biting on any hard object or taking hot drinks can intimate the bleeding from the extracted site. You have to carry the additional gauze pack for any emergency.
• Water bottle. Take your refill bottle and avoid taking hot water, tea, or any other beverage that might start bleeding or delay the healing time. You can also take your medicine on time.
• Plastic bag for ice or hot pack. The ice or hot pack subside the edema and swelling. It also reduces the discomfort and pain associated with swelling. Ask your dentist about the correct use.
• Dental office number. In case of any emergency, you can also contact your dental office or dentist to take advice and guidance about treatment. 

Suggestions for reducing dental discomfort while traveling

• Keep your traveling stress-free. Be relaxed you can also hear your favorite music, read any book or watch a movie that reduces your stress.
• Avoid very hot or cold beverages.
• Take the soft diet and use the other side of the mouth for biting the food.
•  Don’t miss the meal because it can drop your energy level and delay healing.
• Avoid talking for a long time take a rest during a flight. 

Have a wonderful trip!

Try to keep your traveling schedule away from your dental appointment. But if it’s unavoidable discuss it with your dentist and take the professional guidance for a safe and happy trip.

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The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical and dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical and dental advice/conditions.