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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Left Tooth Pain After Using Rented Regulator While Scuba Diving

I went SCUBA diving with a rented regulator (the piece you put in your mouth ) on the 25th. That night I realized my lower left tooth was hurting, much akin to wisdom tooth growth. I woke up yesterday with white and clear bumps on my outer gum that resemble the blisters which show up on skin because of fever blisters. I had to use the same regulator yesterday for my certification and this morning my gum has several small, shallow holes where the blisters burst or were rubbed away by the rubber. It is not swollen but it is tender when pressure is exerted. My teeth do not hurt, but under my chin behind the jaw bone is also tender. There is no swelling to speak of. The dive shop puts rented gear in a tank of Mean Green to disinfect everything before renting it out. I called to ask if they had heard of this situation occurring before and no one seems to know anything about this. Thanks for your help!
Thu, 2 May 2013
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Orthopaedic Surgeon 's  Response
Hai,
1. Compressed air used in SCUBA diving is dry. This dryness can cause ulceration of oral mucosa
2. Rubber regulators can sometimes irritate your oral mucosa and cause blisters. Try using silicone regulators
3. Tenderness under your chin behind jaw indicates you have developed lymphadenitis of submandibular lymph nodes - which can develop after inflammation or infection of oral cavity
4. Have salt water gargling, vegetable diet with lot of vitamin b-complex and good oral hygiene with chlorhexidine mouth wash can relieve your problem.
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Dentist, Prosthodontics Dr. Shivangi Gajwani Jain's  Response
Hi,
Sometimes when there is already bacteria in the teeth and the nerve of the tooth is also irritated then going under pressure like scuba diving or airplane/flight, can lead to pain in that particular tooth. I would recommend you to visit your dentist for the same. The dentist may take an xray to determine if there is a cavity or an old filling that needs to be changed. You maybe given a dosage of antibiotics for the same which will also help with the pain under your chin. The infection in the tooth may be the cause for lymphadenitis ie: infection of lymph nodes which you are feeling behind the jaw bone, under the chin resulting in tenderness.
As for the ulcers, rubber regulators can abrade the mucosa and result in ulcers. They will go on their own once you use a betadine mouthwash (not an alcohol based one as it will cause irritation) along with warm saline gargles. Also you should include lots of green leafy vegetables to increase your vitamin intake and body resistance.
Regards
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  User's Response
the most likely explanation for the such symptoms is condition known as AERODOTALGIA. this is kind of pain felt in some decayed or recently treated teeth due to formation of nitrogen bubbles in blood vessels of person who either ascent up from deep sea floors or who climb to heights.
You must seek a dentist opinion regarding any decayed/ restored teeth which you might be having. Regarding blisters, they may be either beccause of suction trauma of mouth piece or may be related to stress and vitamin defeciencies combined with microbial (Bacterial) infections. these blisters will go off, within a few days after you start taking multivitamins along with a good oral hygeine
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Dentist Dr. Gunjan Gupta's  Response
Hello there,

Thank you for the query.

Blisters on your gums may be because of friction with rubber regulator you used,for the relief you can use mucopain/dologel etc......... and instead of using rubber regulator you can use silicon regulator.

The other symptoms you discussed shows it is a condition known as aerodontalgia.

Aerodontalgia is a condition in which pain in the teeth results from change in air pressure as in flying,mountain climbing,scuba diving.

This pain arises because of entrance of gas in the gas spaces in the roots of infected tooth,along dying nerves,necrotic pulpal tissues,edges of fillings in already filled teeth,through micro fractures of enamel and dentine etc.........

Treatment of such cases includes analgesia and dental repair,biannual dental check ups,x-rays examination, if indicated.

Hope this relieves your symptoms.
Take Care
Dr.Gunjan Gupta
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Left Tooth Pain After Using Rented Regulator While Scuba Diving

Hai, 1. Compressed air used in SCUBA diving is dry. This dryness can cause ulceration of oral mucosa 2. Rubber regulators can sometimes irritate your oral mucosa and cause blisters. Try using silicone regulators 3. Tenderness under your chin behind jaw indicates you have developed lymphadenitis of submandibular lymph nodes - which can develop after inflammation or infection of oral cavity 4. Have salt water gargling, vegetable diet with lot of vitamin b-complex and good oral hygiene with chlorhexidine mouth wash can relieve your problem.