It’s time to hit the road, relax and forget about your responsibilities at home. Some routines are important to keep even while on vacation, though, so don’t let your dental health be forgotten in all the fun and busyness of traveling. Here are some dental health travel tips to help make it easier to stay on top of your oral hygiene while on the road.
What to Pack
A toothbrush and toothpaste are the obvious essentials, but it can be helpful to buy a couple of extra travel sized ones to keep in your purse or backpack for when it’s a hassle to access your larger luggage. It’s also always a good idea to have extras on hand while traveling in case a toothbrush gets lost or somebody forgets theirs.
Some Hacks for the Road
Dental picks and a travel-sized bottle of mouthwash are also travel must-haves. Both are great for when you’re on the go and don’t have access to clean water or time for a thorough floss, but want to clean and refresh your mouth as much as possible until you get to a place where you can brush and floss. Keep a few on hand in your purse and car so they are always handy wherever you need them.
How to Snack
Snacking on the road can be a major culprit in developing cavities while traveling. At home, it’s easy to remember to brush your teeth after each meal, but away from home it can feel a lot more complicated to stay consistent with oral hygiene. So how you snack can be even more important than usual when you’re on the road.
Try to choose snacks that are low in sugar or sugar-free, high in fiber and that don’t leave behind sticky food particles or residue. Fresh fruits and veggies such as apples, carrots or strawberries are all great choices that can actually help to clean your teeth and promote saliva production thanks to their added crunch factor.
Foods high in calcium and other vitamins and minerals like cheese, yogurt or fresh greens can also be a great option because they help to provide the nourishment your teeth need to stay healthy and strong.
Before You Go
Last but not least, one of the most helpful dental health travel tips is simply to schedule an appointment with your dentist before you travel. Taking preventative steps is often your best bet at avoiding dental problems while on the road because your dentist can help to spot any issues early on. Plus, it can save you the hassle of having to find an emergency dentist while in an unfamiliar place.
It will also give you the chance to ask your dentist for any dental health travel tips they’d recommend to you personally. Traveling should be fun and you shouldn’t have to take time away to worry about your dental health while on vacation.
Call our Hays, KS, dental office to make an appointment with a dentist who may be able to help you find out more about this topic, and improve your oral health.