Aerosinusitis
Tooth and sinus pain (aka aerosinusitis) while flying is apparently quite common and definitely one of the most painful feelings ever. The first time it happened to us, we were sure our head would explode and we’d have all our teeth yanked out by the time we landed. What was causing this horrific and spontaneous pain and how to we make it stop / never let it happen again? For most people, it starts just
as you reach 10,000 feet. The pressure in your sinuses pinches a nerve in your jaw. That, in turn, can cause all the teeth on one side of your mouth (usually on the top jaw) to go numb. It’s a strange sensation that can also be incredibly painful. Then, your palms get sweaty, you squeeze your eyes shut and your life flashes before your eyes… okay, maybe a little dramatic but… the pain, the agony! When the plane starts to descend for landing, though, the pain disappears as quickly as it arrived. After talking with an ENT (ears, nose, & t
hroat) doctor, we learned about the intricate effects of pressure on our nerves at such a high altitude. In some instances, taking an allergy pill such as Claritin and/or a dose of Afrin nasal spray before take off can be helpful (obviously check with your own doc before doing this). Keep the Afrin handy during flight just
in case you feel that tell-tale tingling sensation start to appear. Ear Planes are ear plugs made solely for air pressure discomfort and they are pretty clutch too. If you fly often, we recommend keeping all the above on hand, just in case!
