Tooth Squeeze

• Tooth Squeeze Overview
• Tooth Squeeze Symptoms
• Tooth Squeeze Treatment
• When to Seek Medical Care
• For More Information
• Web Links
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Authors and Editors

Tooth Squeeze Overview

Tooth squeeze occurs during a scuba dive ascent when air is trapped in a filling or cavity. It is associated with tooth decay, dental infections, or recent tooth extraction or fillings.

Tooth Squeeze Symptoms

• Symptoms of tooth squeeze include toothache after diving, bleeding around the gums, or a broken tooth.



• Pain in the face and upper teeth is more commonly associated with sinus squeeze.

Tooth Squeeze Treatment

• If experiencing tooth squeeze, avoid diving until recovery is complete.



• Pain may be relieved with 1-2 acetaminophen (Tylenol) every 4 hours, 1-2 ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) every 6-8 hours, or both.

When to Seek Medical Care

• If experiencing tooth squeeze, have a dental evaluation and have any damage repaired.



• Consult a doctor about treatment with available medications.

For More Information

Web Links

Divers Alert Network, Dental Distress

Synonyms and Keywords

tooth squeeze, scuba diving, tooth ache, toothache, broken tooth, sinus squeeze, scuba, trapped air

Authors and Editors

Author: Scott H Plantz, MD, FAAEM, Research Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Editors: N Stuart Harris, MD, MFA, Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine; James Kimo Takayesu, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital.

Last Editorial Review: 8/10/2005