Tooth/Sinus/Ear Pain -- What do you think?

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

nmessick

New
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I just completed by certification a few days ago (I am still on vacation now). We did 4-5 dives to 35-40ft with no problem. On my first certified day out we went to near 60ft and I started to have terrible pain in what felt like my teeth, gums and the left side of my head. We where near done, so I stuck it out for about 5-10 minutes. The pain came and went in waves and was bad enough that I had been considering surfacing. Its now 2-days later and I can still feel a dull ache from that area. I'm now hesitant to dive because I don't know what to expect. I guess going out again and seeing how it goes is not a bad thing, I just hate to spend the money when I am all but expecting to be in pain again. I'm starting to think it was not a tooth squeze because it was constant and not on the ascent, could this be a sinus problem? Any suggestions on what I could do in the future?
 
This sounds like it was a sinus squeeze, although it could be ear as well. Do you have any persistent dullness in your hearing, or crackling or bubbling sounds in your left ear? If not, it may have been sinuses, particularly if you are given to allergy symptoms or sinus infections. The problem is that the air space in the sinus cannot equalize if the drainage passageways are blocked. This sometimes responds to decongestants or nasal steroids.

I would suggest an appointment with an ENT doc, as it is impossible for anyone to give you good individual medical advice over the internet.
 
I've never really had problems equalizing my ears, so I am pretty sure its not that. My hearing is A-okay. I do have "active" sinus problems. I'm very used to living with congestion almost year around, although I've been pretty clear here in the Carribean. Going from 40-60ft should not be a huge difference in my mind, so this probably is what it was.

I know they say not to use decongestants, but if I'm not sick I could use it just to dry out my head and still not be concerned about a reverse ear block since I have always been able to equalize my ears.
 
I would have it evaluated by an ENT doc (otolaryngologist). You might have polyps, a sinus infection, or some anatomic deformity preventing your sinuses to drain. They might scope you with a fiberoptic, do xray, or a CT scan to find out what's going on.
 
Tooth squeeze is really rare these days. Improvements in Dental Medicine and all... I am more inclined to agree that it was sinus squeeze.

Since you were still feeling pain days later my 2psi is to go see a doctor. Preferably one that is, or understands diving medicine.
 
Don't ignore the posibility of tooth squeeze. It can still happen.
 
Be sure to be seen by an ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist) when you get home. You want to be cleared to go diving. It could be worse the next time. Find out what the problem is and have it treated before you go diving again.
 

Back
Top Bottom