Tooth Squeeze

• 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.