Barodontalgia is dental pain related to pressure changes and is most often experienced during which flight phase?

Barodontalgia is dental pain related to pressure changes and is most often experienced during which flight phase?

• A. Descent
• B. Ascent
• C. Cruise
• D. Landing

Answer: (B)

Barodontalgia happens when pressure changes cause gas trapped in a tooth or surrounding spaces (like a carious cavity or a faulty filling) to expand or contract, putting pressure on nerves. During ascent, cabin pressure falls as the aircraft climbs, so any trapped gas expands. That expansion increases pressure on the affected tooth or area, triggering pain more readily than at other times. Descent involves pressure increasing (gas contracts), which is less likely to provoke the same pain. Cruise has relatively stable pressure, so little change is expected there. So the pain is most often experienced during ascent.

Barodontalgia happens when pressure changes cause gas trapped in a tooth or surrounding spaces (like a carious cavity or a faulty filling) to expand or contract, putting pressure on nerves. During ascent, cabin pressure falls as the aircraft climbs, so any trapped gas expands. That expansion increases pressure on the affected tooth or area, triggering pain more readily than at other times. Descent involves pressure increasing (gas contracts), which is less likely to provoke the same pain. Cruise has relatively stable pressure, so little change is expected there. So the pain is most often experienced during ascent.