Tooth Squeeze

1. Cosmetic Dentistry: Before and After Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Dental Health Quiz
3. Dental Health Slideshow: Habits That Wreck Your Teeth

Medical Author:

Scott D. Fell, DO, FAAEM

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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• 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 occurs during a scuba diving ascent when air is trapped in a dental filling or cavity. As a diver goes deeper under water, air can enter a cavity or dental filling area. As the diver begins to surface that air (or gas) expands and is "trapped" resulting in pain to that area. Pain can occur on descent due to a "vacuum" effect however it is not common.

Tooth squeeze is more likely to occur in divers with tooth decay, dental infections, or recent tooth extraction or fillings.

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.

• If experiencing tooth squeeze, avoid diving until recovery is complete.
• Pain may be relieved with acetaminophen or ibuprofen taken according to the manufacturer's recommendation.

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

Divers Alert Network, Dental Distress

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

Author: Scott D. Fell, DO, FAAEM

Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

REFERENCE: DAN.org. Dental Distress.

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