2025-03: barotrauma and ear & teeth maintenance
Discussion Leads: Sandrine
Description: About barotrauma and ear & teeth maintenance
Scuba diving can cause ear and teeth problems due to pressure changes. These problems are called barotrauma. So looking after our ears and teeth is important.
Ear problems
- Barotitis media: Also called middle ear barotrauma, this is an inflammation of the middle ear. It can be caused by a pressure difference between the air in the ear and the surrounding water.
- Ruptured eardrum: Symptoms include hearing loss, vomiting, and disorientation.
Tooth problems
- Barodontalgia: Also called "tooth squeeze", this is pain in the teeth caused by pressure changes. It's more common in teeth with cavities or faulty dental work.
- Dry mouth: This is common during and after diving, and can make pain worse
Prevention and treatment
- See a dentist: Before diving, get a dental check-up to treat cavities and repair faulty dental work.
- Equalize your ears: Equalize your ears early and often when descending.
- Avoid diving with sinus or upper respiratory symptoms: If you have these symptoms, don't dive.
- Use a custom-fitted mouthpiece: An ill-fitting mouthpiece can strain your jaw.
- Take pain medication: If you have ear pain, you can take pain medication, nasal spray, or eardrops.
- Seek medical care: If symptoms continue or you don't know the cause, seek medical care.
Documents:
- Peter Mosse's quiz
- Sandrine's notes
- This workshop was recorded. All recordings are on the VSAG YouTube channel
Some links:
- In their book: Diving Medicine for Scuba Divers, J. Lipmann, J. Hissink, N. Branham & J. Pennefather cover in clear and simple terms, and in an interesting and entertaining manner, many topics about Diving medicine, including of course barotraumas. Suitable for divers, divemasters, instructors and paramedics