AIR POCKET

Never fly after the dentist – cabin crew have a rule that they don’t take a flight within 24 hours of dental work

Dilvin Yasa at Escape

Published: 16:29, 13 Feb 2018
Updated: 0:44, 14 Feb 2018

WOULD-BE plane passengers should never book a dentist's appointment the day before taking a flight.

Cabin crew have a rule that they never fly within 24 hours of having had dental work.

Heading to the dentist shortly before a flight could mean you're in pain when you get on boardCredit: Getty - Contributor

The reason is that changes in air pressure can often cause pockets of gas to get trapped within dental fittings or areas of dental decay.

Those little pockets can cause causing unimaginable pain when they put pressure on the gums.

Short of reaching for painkillers, there’s little you can do once tooth pain begins aboard a flight so prevention is key.

If you do suspect a problem with your pearly whites, visit your dentist for a check-up well in advance of your flight.

Cabin crew have a rule that they never fly within 24 hours of having had dental workCredit: Alamy

Sore gums isn't the only way that flying impacts on your health - read on to find out the other ways altitude impacts your body...

Why do I feel so gassy?

Flying increases the number of farts that the average passenger lets out, and Jacob Rosenberg, a clinical professor at the University of Copenhagen says it is all down to the cabin pressure dropping.

After clocking that his empty water bottle had expanded during the flight, then crumpled when it came back down to earth, he realised that the same could apply to his stomach.

According to Jacob, the gas sitting inside the stomach then expands by 30 per cent… and it needs to go somewhere.

There are ways to limit the amount you gross people out though - by eating more carbohydrates and less fibre at the airport and on the plane, you can limit your bloating.

Why do I have a cold when I get off the plane?

You're likely to get a cold when you're on board because you'll be around so many other ill peopleCredit: Alamy

According to research compiled by Compare Travel Insurance, the likelihood of getting a cold is more than 100 times higher during a flight.

In fact, Steven Reed from the Flight Attendants’ Association of Australia says that catching a cold is so normal that cabin crew are given upper respiratory infection leave on top of regular sick leave.

Short of wearing a mask everywhere you go, the best way to keep germs at bay on flight is to keep the little air vent nozzle above your head on full blast.

Keeping a constant flow of fresh air directed at your face and body keeps the lingering germs in the air away from you.

It’s worth wiping your hands after turning on the nozzle though - they are one of the most germ-ridden places on a plane because people are constantly touching them.

Why do my legs swell when I fly?

Stretching on board a flight is important if you want to avoid deep vein thrombosisCredit: Getty - Contributor

Spending too much time sitting in the one position restricts blood flow throughout the body and leads to swelling of the feet and ankles.

It also adds to your risk of developing Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), a potentially fatal blood clot which can form when blood isn’t circulating freely.

Steven Reed says while the best defence against swelling and DVT is to take regular walks to the bathroom and back.

Those who are at increased risk of developing DVT should speak with their GP before flying.

Why does my skin feel so dry and tight?

Moisturising when you're on a plane is recommended by dermatologists as flying is very dehydratingCredit: Getty - Contributor

When you’re flying at 38,000ft, humidity levels can be as low as 4 per cent, with research indicating the average body is stripped of up to 1.5 litres of water during a three-hour flight.

In fact, if you board a long-distance flight with an unpeeled orange in your bag - over the course of the flight, the orange will shrink and shrivel until it’s the size of a date.

To help counter the effects of looking like that shrivelled orange, Australian Medical Association vice president Tony Bartone says it’s essential to drink a little more than the standard eight glass of water a day, but also to avoid alcohol and caffeine where you can.

Why do I feel so groggy?

Flying can be a tiring business - made worse by the fact that your blood absorbs less oxygen in the airCredit: Getty - Contributor

The air pressure in aircraft cabins is equivalent to what you would experience outside at 6,000 to 8,000ft, meaning your blood absorbs less oxygen, causing sleepiness and headaches.

While drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol and caffeine helps combat these symptoms, there is nothing you can do about the emotional fragility though.