Most patients decide to travel during the summer months. However, most patients fail to properly maintain their oral hygiene while doing so. Being away from home can make it hard to keep up with daily routines, especially proper dental care. But there are ways you can help maintain your oral hygiene routine while on the road. By bringing the right tools and mindset with you, you can help prevent plaque buildup and decay during summer vacation travel.
Oral Hygiene on the Road
Keeping up on your oral hygiene is never easy, but it can be especially difficult while traveling. It’s crucial to make sure you plan ahead and bring everything you’ll need to ensure success on the road. Whether you’re just going away for a weekend, a week, or a month, proper oral hygiene is necessary to protect your dental health.
Keep Your Toothbrush Well Ventilated
One of the most common mistakes patients make when traveling is failing to protect their travel toothbrush. Your toothbrush needs proper airflow and ventilation to prevent bacteria from growing. Otherwise, every time you brush your teeth, you could be spreading more sources of decay instead of removing them.
To keep your toothbrush ventilated, make sure you carry it in a case with air holes. You should also be sure not to keep your brush in an overcrowded bag while traveling. When you arrive at your destination, it’s best to keep your toothbrush out so it can dry every day and night. Bringing along a cup to store it in can help provide proper airflow while traveling.
Bring Floss or a Toothbrush on Excursions
One of the hardest parts of keeping up with your oral hygiene while traveling is not having the same daily schedule. Most people lose track of their routines when they aren’t following their usual habits. But if you have floss or a toothbrush with you, you can create habits on-the-go. Getting into the routine of brushing or flossing after every meal can help maintain your oral hygiene no matter where you are.
Be Careful What You Eat
When traveling, it’s not always easy to find a dentist for any emergencies. Chipping your tooth on a piece of hard food can turn a summer vacation into a summer nightmare. Be sure to pay attention to what you eat and how you chew. Cut up hard foods into smaller pieces to avoid biting on anything too hard. If you have dental restorations, such as a dental crown, be careful of anything too chewy as well that could dislodge them.
Get a Cleaning Before You Leave
Getting a professional cleaning before you leave is a great way to ensure your oral hygiene is in tip-top condition for travel. Starting off with a healthy mouth could help counteract travel-related plaque buildup. Contact our office today to schedule your next hygiene appointment and get your teeth and gums ready for whatever summer has to offer.