There’s nothing like travel to take you away from your everyday routine and immerse you in something new and different. But in the midst of the hectic hustle and bustle, exciting adventures, and much-needed relaxation, you still need to make time to take care of your smile. Keep your mouth healthy, clean, and fresh with these travel tips.
Show Your Toothbrush a Little Love
Use a clean, ventilated toothbrush container for your toothbrush. Choosing a holder with ventilation helps dry the toothbrush and reduce the growth of bacteria. Once you arrive at your destination, if you’re staying in one spot, leave the toothbrush out on the counter to give it ample drying time.
Pack a Dental Kit
Stock your kit with essentials like floss or floss picks, toothpaste, and mouthwash. If you’re flying with just a carry-on bag, then you can buy travel-size versions of your favorite supplies. Or, you can fill another small, reusable container, such as an eyeglass dropper, with toothpaste. If you’re going to be roughing it, then you can even dry toothpaste into dots that you can later place in your mouth, chew, and brush.
Limit Your Sugar Consumption
Vacation is the perfect time to let loose and indulge. Balance the sugary treats with healthy options, especially if you know you won’t be able to brush soon after. On a long, red-eye airplane flight, for example, skip the soda and energy drinks on the beverage cart, and opt for something sugar free instead.
Stick to Your Routine
No matter where you go and how busy your schedule is, make sure you keep up with your regular dental routine. If you take a vacation from good oral care habits, then you might not pick them back up after returning home. Brushing and flossing can also be a great way for the family to come together at the end of the day and create a plan for the next vacation day.
Chew Gum
When all else fails, pop a piece of sugar-free gum into your mouth after eating. The gum helps neutralize acids, minimizing the growth of cavity-causing bacteria. It also increases saliva flow to wash away extra debris, which keeps your mouth cleaner and fresher.
Schedule a Dental Visit
If you’re due for an appointment, then why not get it out of the way before going away? Making sure your teeth and gums are in good shape can help minimize the odds of any underlying issue wreaking havoc on your trip. This is particularly important if you’re traveling to a remote location or anywhere that access to dental care is limited.
Let the team at Klement Family Dental help get your smile vacation ready. We handle everything from preventive care to cosmetic dentistry to keep your mouth looking and feeling its best. Learn more about our services at stpetedentist.com, or call us at 727-498-1959 727-498-1959 to schedule an appointment.
