Summer vacation season is here, and we understand how exciting it is to take a break and enjoy the warmer months. Breaks in routine can make it difficult to keep up with oral health practices. No matter where you travel this summer, remember to take care of your smile.
Here are a few simple ways to keep your smile healthy while you’re on vacation this summer.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking water seems to be the first suggestion for anything health-related, including dental health. In truth, staying hydrated does much more than prevent dry mouth discomfort on a day-to-day basis.
Staying hydrated helps your mouth produce saliva, which naturally protects your teeth and gums. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help reduce bad breath, wash away food particles, and lower your risk of tooth decay.
Travel Light – But Bring Your Dental Care Tools With You
When traveling, it’s nice to pack light for plenty of reasons, but practicality shouldn’t have you skipping out on maintaining your dental health. Instead, bring travel-sized dental care tools with you.
- Travel toothbrush and toothpaste: Maintain your twice-a-day brushing routine on a smaller scale with a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste set.
- Compact mouthwash: A 3.4-ounce bottle of mouthwash is perfect for air travel. Add it to your packing list for its antibacterial and breath-freshening properties.
- Sugar-free gum: The fun part! Chewing sugar-free gum can strengthen tooth enamel, clear food particles, and stimulate saliva to reduce plaque acid. It also comes in different flavors.
- Travel-sized floss: Flossing is easy to forget, but you run less of the risk with a travel floss container on hand.
The best part is that you can reuse and customize your travel dental kit for every trip. Your teeth will thank you, and your suitcase won’t mind.
Eat a Dentally Healthy Diet
Vacations are the perfect time to try new eats like cultural dishes, street foods, and trending sweets. Enjoy trying new foods, but remember that some foods are better for your teeth than others.
Smile-Friendly Vacation Snacks
- Cheese and yogurt
- Nuts
- Leafy greens
- Crunchy fruits like apples
Foods to Enjoy in Moderation
- Sticky candies
- Sugary drinks
- Sour candies
Chewing in general causes saliva production, which defends against tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Chewing foods like nuts and leafy greens helps to naturally clean your teeth of plaque and food particles. Enjoy sweet treats in moderation so you can have fun while still protecting your smile.
Maintain a Modified Routine
Vacations often change your daily routine in plenty of ways. Try to make brushing, flossing, and other healthy habits part of your travel plans. Keep your dental health a priority by taking time to care for your oral health. Build the day’s schedule around your hygiene and self-care practices ahead of time, just as you would if you were home.
Prepare for Emergencies
Dental emergencies can happen when you least expect them—even on vacation. In the case that you do experience a dental emergency while away, it’s good to be prepared.
- Over-the-Counter Pain relievers help reduce pain and inflammation in case of infection or damage.
- Sterile gauze can reduce bleeding and protect damaged teeth.
- Saline solution can provide pain relief and prevent infections.
- Dental wax prevents loose brackets and wires on braces from injuring or irritating the mouth.
If a dental emergency happens while you’re traveling, call your dentist as soon as possible. Our team can often provide guidance and help you determine the next steps.
Visit FDA
If you’re due for a cleaning, schedule your visit before your trip. Starting vacation with a healthy smile can help you avoid dental problems while you’re away.
