It’s common knowledge that maintaining good oral hygiene while traveling is simple. All you need is to pack your toothbrush and a roll of floss. However, there is more to maintaining oral and dental health while traveling than just that. While you are living your best and enjoying your escape from the real world, Waco Dental wants you to keep a few things in mind during your vacation:
- Food quality
- Keep it clean and dry
- Dental Visit
- What to do if you do not have toothpaste
- Travel toothbrush
Food Quality
Excellent food, new restaurants, and extravagant desserts are all part of a great vacation. When traveling, many people don’t realize how many sugary sweets they are consuming or how much sugar they are adding to the bacteria in their teeth. Having a late night out means exposing your teeth to sugary drinks for extended periods of time. Ideally, you would floss and brush between meals in order to combat bacteria, however, sugar-free gum can serve as a means to clean up the sugar and food particles that have accumulated around your teeth and gums in a pinch.
Keep Things Clean And Dry
Packing your toothbrush between your socks and shoes is not the most efficient way. Invest in a trustworthy toiletries bag to maintain a clean collection of dental supplies. A filthy toothbrush can harbor bacteria and viruses that will inevitably reach your mouth.
Holding your toothbrush in a sealed and moist environment isn’t ideal. Bacteria consume moisture and can accumulate in the bristles of your toothbrush. Instead, allow your toothbrush to air dry before returning it to its case. Unwrapping, cleaning, and drying your toothbrush before using it, especially if it was packed in a ziplock bag in a travel case that was wet, is recommended as proper care.
Dental Visit
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort, or if you’ve missed the dentist in the last 6 months, we highly recommend that you stop by for a professional checkup before you leave. Do not risk the chance of a potentially canceled trip because of cracked teeth, loose crowns, or infections.
Avoid chaos, stress, and pain by scheduling your appointment and completing any necessary tasks. It is recommended that you book at least 4 weeks in advance in order to have enough time to fix everything you may need and have a fun vacation.
Forgot the Toothpaste?
If you can’t find a grocery store nearby, hotels will usually provide a small tube for free. (Even they recognize the importance of brushing your teeth!) However, if you still cannot find any toothpaste, you can still brush and floss. All you have to do is simply brush your teeth as usual. Although, toothpaste contains a variety of different minerals and chemicals that help clean teeth, brushing and flossing actually have a greater impact on oral health.
Travel Toothbrush
Many varieties of travel toothbrushes are available, and the majority of them are packaged in a travel case for under $6. These toothbrushes are less likely to have bacteria from being transported. Once your trip is over, the toothbrush can be disposed of easily. Many toothbrushes for traveling are also environmentally friendly.
Waco Dental team wants you to make the most of your vacation but also make sure your smile is as healthy and strong as before you left. If you have any questions or concerns schedule an appointment by calling us at (254) 754-3505 or (254) 751-7100. Let us get you good and ready to have some fun on your time away!
