While you may be busy enjoying all the unique and cultural cuisine or admiring the historic architecture and scenic views on vacation, it’s important not to forget your oral health while traveling.
It’s completely possible to maintain your tooth care routine when on a trip, and we’re going to give you some tips on how to do so!
Maintaining Oral Health Hygiene for Travelers
Maintaining your pearly whites while traveling doesn’t have to be a hassle. Here’s what you can do to keep a healthy and happy smile while traveling.
Schedule an Appointment Before You Go
If you are due for your cleaning soon, schedule an appointment with your dentist a week or two before your travel date. A quick dental check-up before traveling can prevent dental emergencies from happening while you’re away. Your dentist can also give you a thorough cleaning to ensure your teeth are in tip-top shape before your trip.
Bring Your Oral Care Kit With You
If you’re traveling locally, remember to pack your full oral care kit, which should include a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss.
If you’re flying internationally, check the airline’s regulations on what you can bring in your carry-on luggage. Repack big items into smaller packaging for easier transport. It’s also a good idea to bring pain relief medication just in case of any dental emergencies.
Rinse Your Mouth After Every Meal
Traveling always involves a lot of eating. After you indulge yourself with delectable cultural dishes, make sure to rinse your mouth with water after every meal. Rinsing your mouth with water after a meal removes any food particles stuck between your teeth.
Stay Hydrated
Always bring a handy water bottle with you while traveling. Hydration is critical to our overall health. Moreover, drinking a lot of water can flush out stuck food particles, prevent bad breath, and keep your mouth hydrated.
Be Mindful of Your Sugar Intake
Sugar is the nemesis of dental health. Satisfy your sweet tooth in moderation, and brush your teeth after consuming sugary treats. If you don’t have access to a toothbrush, drinking water or rinsing can wash away any lingering sugar.
Check the Tap Water
Not all places have clean tap water. When you get to your hotel or accommodation, check the water’s appearance, taste, scent, and quality. You can always ask the staff or owner if their tap water is safe for drinking. If you’re unsure, stick to bottled water.
A Traveler’s Guide to Dental Health Essentials
If you don’t know what to put in your oral hygiene kit, here are some dental health products we recommend you always bring with you all the time:
Toothbrush: Invest in a travel-sized toothbrush with soft bristles. Hard bristles can damage your gums and enamel. Most electric toothbrushes will stay charged for a week or so, often you can pack it fully charged without a charger.
Toothpaste: A fluoride toothpaste is recommended for stronger and healthier teeth.
Floss: Flossing regularly can remove food particles stuck in between your teeth and prevent plaque buildup.
Mouthwash: Opt for a travel-sized alcohol-free mouthwash to prevent dry mouth, bad breath, and gum irritation.
Sugar-free Gum: Chewing sugar-free gum can stimulate saliva production, helping to digest food particles and neutralize acid in your mouth if a toothbrush is not available between meals.
Pain Relief Medication: As mentioned, a toothache or dental emergency can happen anytime even with regular checkups. Be prepared and bring pain relief medication with you.
These recommendations should suffice, but you can always consult your dentist if you need additional products based on your specific dental needs.
Dealing With a Dental Emergency While Traveling
Sometimes, no matter how prepared you are, a dental emergency can still happen while traveling. Here are some tips on how to handle such situations:
Toothache: Rinse your mouth with warm water and floss gently to remove food particles. If the pain persists, take pain relief medication and schedule an appointment with a local dentist as soon as possible.
Lost Filling/Crown: If you have lost a filling or crown, try to keep the area clean and avoid chewing on that side. If possible, find a local dentist who can replace it. If you do not have pain with it, it is usually ok to wait to see your regular dentist.
Broken Tooth: If you break your tooth while traveling, rinsing your mouth and applying a cold compress could alleviate the pain. Look for a local dentist as soon as possible to have it mended. If there is no pain, it is usually ok to wait to see your regular dentist.
At Stauffer Family Dental, Dr. Heidi is reachable on the weekends. She tries to get back to patients within 24 hours, directions on how to reach her are on the voicemail. She can often give advice on what your next steps should be and whether it is ok to wait until you return or if you should find a dentist there.
These tips all share one common ground: find a reliable local dentist. It’s always handy to research nearby dentists in the area where you’re staying before traveling.
Ask friends or colleagues for recommendations, or check online reviews to find a reputable dentist you can visit in case of dental emergencies.
We Can Help You Prepare for Travel
If you’re planning to travel in a few weeks, our team can help prepare your teeth for your trip. Our experienced and friendly dentists can give you a thorough check-up, clean your teeth, and address any dental issues before your travel date.
If you’re in the area and need emergency dental repair while traveling, our dentists can assist you as well. Don’t let a dental emergency ruin your special vacation; schedule your appointment today.
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