As the world begins to open back up from the pandemic more people are traveling again! This summer, more people will be vaccinated and able to travel to places other than their own homes. It’s important to make sure while traveling, you or your family keep up with your dental routine. Here are some quick tips about maintaining your oral health while traveling this summer.
Don’t Forget!
Sounds obvious but funny enough, a toothbrush is one of the many items people forget to pack. Other frequently left at-home items include: dental floss, fluoride rinse, and toothpaste. All of these items are essential to have on your trip in order to maintain a strong dental routine.
In a pinch, you can rinse with water to wash away some of that cavity-causing bacteria or you could put some toothpaste on a clean washcloth and brush that way too. If you are staying at a resort or in a hotel, most reception desks have these essentials on-site either for purchase or for free in case a traveler needs them.
How to Pack Your Toothbrush
When traveling, it’s critical that you pack your toothbrush correctly. The best way to do this? Keep your brush dry. Experts recommend using a simple plastic bag over those toothbrush covers to ensure that your toothbrush is clean and away from coming into contact with messy surfaces. Another pro tip is to pack a clothespin to hold up your toothbrush to avoid having your bristles touch dirty counters.
The Right Kind of Gum
We’re probably all familiar with the uncomfortable feeling of plugged up ears when on an airplane. Many have found that chewing gum during take off can help open your ears and equalize the pressure within them. But which gum are you chewing? If it’s not sugarless, it might be doing more harm than good to your teeth!
Research also shows that chewing sugarless gum for just 20 minutes after a meal can help prevent cavities, since it gets saliva flowing, which helps wash away cavity-causing bacteria. Any sugarless gum with the ADA Seal is guaranteed to be effective.
Brush with Bottled Water
If you are traveling to a new country where the water is compromised, or if you are in the wilderness all summer and unsure about how decent the nearby stream is, use bottled water! Staying hydrated is necessary and you can use bottled water to brush your teeth too. Rinse your brush well with bottled water before and after brushing to reduce the risk of getting sick.
Final Tip
Once you return home from your travels, pay us a visit! We love to hear about people’s experiences while they are in our chair. Plus, if you let brushing and flossing slide while you were away, we can help get you back on track! We hope you found some of these tips helpful and if you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to pay us a visit!