FOR MANY OF US, SUMMER MEANS it’s time for a vacation! But just because you’re taking a break doesn’t mean your oral hygiene should do the same.
Travel can throw off our good routines. During odd hours, long plane rides, and close quarters, it’s easy to skip dental care and end up with “traveler’s breath”. Protect your teeth while traveling by packing these four essential items:
1. A Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle. Having a dry mouth can increase the amount of cavity-causing bacteria in our mouths. If you have a soda or some juice, rinse with water afterward. This will help get rid of any remaining sugar and acid in your mouth.
2. Tooth-Friendly Snacks
Being on the road makes it easy to indulge in lots of delicious food, and that’s OK! If you’re smart about it, your teeth don’t have to suffer. Carry healthy, tooth-scrubbing snacks like apples, celery, and carrots. These foods will help your mouth clean itself and resist plaque buildup.
Additionally, many travelers find themselves with a dry, stale mouth because they haven’t eaten! Skipping meals and going long periods of time without food means a decrease in the healthy saliva stimulation that happens whenever you chew on food. Keep healthy snacks handy for those gaps between meals.
3. Sugarless Chewing Gum
Often when we are traveling, stopping to brush our teeth just isn’t practical! In a pinch, chew some sugar-free gum. It will freshen your breath and help clean your mouth.
4. Your Toothbrush
As you’re packing your bags, don’t forget your oral health basics: floss, toothpaste, and a toothbrush.
Toothbrush-Packing Tips
- Keep it dry and clean. Toothbrush caps or bags are great for keeping bristles clean in your luggage.
- Keep travel-sized options in your carry-on. That way if your luggage gets lost or delayed, your teeth won’t be neglected.
More Cool Packing Tips
Happy Trails!
We hope these tips will come in handy the next time you travel. Do you have any travel tips YOU would like to share? Comment below. We would love to hear your ideas!
Thanks for being wonderful patients and friends!
Top image by Flickr user Consumerist Dot Com used under Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 4.0 license. Image cropped and modified from original.
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