18 Dec 9 Travel Dental Care Tips
We all know that vacation is for relaxing and forgetting about our daily responsibilities. But don’t put your oral health on the back burner. Follow these simple travel dental care tips from our team at Prescott Dentistry to stay on top of your oral health wherever you go this holiday season—or any time of year!
1. Visit the dentist before you leave
If you’re experiencing any pain in your mouth, make an appointment with us before you leave. The last thing you need is a dental emergency far from home. But just in case this does happen, it’s a good idea to have our contact information with you.
2. Stick to your normal routine
It’s easy to let some of our home habits slide while we’re on vacation. But stick to brushing twice and flossing once a day to keep your teeth cavity-free. Your teeth will thank you! If you’re traveling with your kids, be sure to keep their oral care routines up as well.
3. Keep oral hygiene supplies handy
Going on a long road trip? Don’t let that stop you from keeping your pearly whites clean and bright. Keep floss, a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste in the glove compartment. They’ll be easily accessible so you can clean your teeth after eating.
4. Let your toothbrush air-dry
Travel cases for toothbrushes sound like a great idea. But the moist environment can actually cause bacterial growth. Skip the travel case and let your toothbrush air-dry before putting it away.
5. Opt for the carry-on
Hopping on a plane? Carrying your dental supplies with you is better than stowing them in your check-in luggage, because it allows you to brush your teeth during the flight and during any layovers you might have. It also ensures that you will have your toothbrush with you in the unfortunate event that your luggage gets lost. Just make sure your tube of toothpaste is 3.4 oz or less!
6. Know Whether You Can Trust the Water
If you’re traveling abroad, find out about local water quality. If you need to drink bottled water in the country you’re visiting, be sure to brush your teeth and rinse your toothbrush with bottled water too!
7. Mind the Treats
If you’re like us, you’ll probably be tempted to spoil yourself on vacation. By all means, enjoy yourself, but take good care of your teeth too! Try to stick to limit sweet treats and chew sugar-free gum afterwards to keep bacteria at bay.
8. Pack Sugarless Gum
While we’re on the subject of gum—chewing sugarless gum can help relieve ear pressure during a flight, and help keep cavities at bay. Research shows that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after a meal can help prevent cavities. Xylitol gum is particularly effective!
9. Forgot your toothbrush?
If you find yourself temporarily without a toothbrush, you can rinse vigorously with water to wash away some of that cavity-causing bacteria. In a pinch, you can also put some toothpaste on a clean washcloth or your clean finger until you can get to the nearest drug store.
Happy Holidays from Prescott Dentistry
We hope these travel dental care tips were helpful! Let us know if you think of any we haven’t included here. Whether you’re traveling or staying home this year, our team wants to wish you and your loved ones a very happy holiday season!